Bacteriological qualities and antibiogram studies of bacteria from "suya" and smoked fish (Clarias gariepinus) in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: "suya" and smoked fish are cherished food delicacies in Nigeria, but can be a source of dissemination of Multi-drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria. Moreover, there are limited studies on these MDR bacteria from Dutsin-Ma. Therefore, this study examined the bacteriological qualities and antibiogram profiles of bacteria in these foods from this area in Nigeria. METHODS: Twenty samples of each of "suya" and smoked fish were collected from the study areas and microbiologically analyzed. Total viable count, coliform count, characterization and identification of bacteria were carried out by standard microbiological techniques. RESULTS: Findings revealed that "suya" samples possessed the highest total viable bacteria count (3.4×10(5) to 7.7×10(5) cfu/g) and coliform count (2.1×10(5) to 6.2×10(5) cfu/g). A total of 85 and 78 bacteria were isolated from "suya" and smoked fish samples respectively. E. coli (24.7% and 24.4%) was the most frequently isolated from each sample respectively. Highest (66.7%) resistance to each of cefuroxime, gentamicin, amoxillin/clavulanate and ciprofloxacin were observed among E. coli from "suya". MDR phenotypes commonly isolated was resistance to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, augmentin and nitrofurantoin. CONCLUSION: These studies showed the presence of MDR bacteria in samples, hence, raise the need for improved production hygiene and public health awareness.