Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Bacterial Strains in Frozen Meat Sold at Abagana, Anambra State: A Public Health Concern

This study investigates the molecular analysis of bacterial isolates from frozen chicken and determines their antibiotic resistance profiles. A total of 50 frozen chicken samples were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. The results revealed the presence of four bacterial species: Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain NE 1127, Campylobacter jejuni strain RM 1221, Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strain 02-6680, and Staphylococcus aureus starin WHC09. The antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that 57.14% of the isolates were resistant to conventional antibiotics, while 42.86% were susceptible. Notably, 20.00% of the resistant strains exhibited single antibiotic resistance, and 80.00% displayed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR). Statistical analysis using the student "t" test, correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the significance (p ≤ 0.05) of these findings. The study's results highlight the risk of food-borne disease outbreaks associated with the consumption of frozen chicken contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The high prevalence of MAR among the bacterial isolates underscores the need for improved s