Antibiotic resistant bacteria in raw cow milk and milk products retailed in the Northern Region of Ghana: a food safety challenge

Background: In many developing countries where milk is marketed and consumed raw through informal channels, the occurrence of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics in raw milk poses a major public health risk. This is because antibiotic resistant bacteria may cause complicated, untreatable, and prolonged infections in humans, leading to higher healthcare cost and sometimes death. Methods: Antibiotic resistance profiles against nine antimicrobials commonly used in veterinary and human medical practice were established for 150 bacteria isolates from raw milk and milk products retailed within the Northern region of Ghana. Results: Resistance to cotrimoxazole was 84%, nalidixic acid 81%, gentamicin 79%, chloramphenicol 76%, ceftriaxone 67.3%, tetracycline 66%, ampicillin 53.3%, ciprofloxacin 48.9% and cefoxitin 40.7%. Overall 72.5% were resistant to more than one antimicrobial. Conclusion: Milk and milk products sold in the northern region of Ghana are contaminated with bacterial pathogens with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. A one health approach is required to curtail the threat of antibacterial resistant bacteria in the food chain