ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF Enterobacteriaceae ISOLATES FROM Kunun-zaki SOLD IN LAFIA METROPOLIS, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Fermented foods are estimated to constitute about a quarter of the foods consumed worldwide. Kunun-zaki is a traditional fermented non-alcoholic beverage widely consumed in Nigeria and has reportedly been implicated in the transmission of pathogens. This was a cross sectional study that evaluated the occurrence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Kunun-zaki sold under market conditions in Lafia, Nasarawa State. A Total of 400 samples of Kunun-zaki were collected across Lafia metropolis and bacteriologically examined for the presence of enteric bacteria by means of cultural techniques and biochemical assays (Microbact 12E). Confirmed isolates were further subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the agar disc diffusion technique. The results obtained from this study showed that out of the 400 Kunun-zaki samples examined, 62 (15.5%) were contaminated with enterobacteria. The occurrence of enteric bacteria was high in Main Market 21 (21 %) and Bukan Sidi 19 (19 %). Enterobacteriaceae members isolated from Kunun-zaki examined were Salmonella spp 16 (26 %), Escherichia coli 24 (39 %), Shigella spp 9 (15 %), Proteus spp 5 (8.1 %) and Klebsiella spp 8(13 %). There was an observed difference (P<0.05) in the occurrence of these isolates from kunun-zaki samples examined. Also, there was a significant difference in the occurrence of the isolates with respect to the various sampling locations. This study further revealed both susceptibility and resistance of the isolates to some antibiotics tested. Isolates were more susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and streptomycin whereas high resistance were exhibited against penicillin, trimethoprim, amoxillin, tetracycline and erythromycin. The predominant antimicrobial resistance pattern was Penicillin-Gentamycin-Streptomycin-Amoxicillin-Tetracycline-Chloramphenicol-Oxacillin-Erythromycin sulphamethoxazole/ trime-thoprim in E. coli. The presence of these isolates in kunu-zaki pose serious threat to food safety, and the need to ensure microbiological safety of this product (in processing and handling) cannot be over emphasized. Finally, the multiple antimicrobial resistances exhibited by isolates in this study are possible indications of antibiotic abuse.