Evaluation of Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria and High Risk of Contamination in Ready to Eat Fruits in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to investigate and evaluate the Prevalence of Multi-drug Resistance bacteria on ready to eat fruits in Kano Metropolis, and the associated risk factor.  Methodology: The study used mixed methods design. Samples were collected from various street vendors and local markets. Questionnaire based survey was designed to collect data from vendors and consumers. A total of 33 organisms were recovered, the organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Morganella morganii, Klebsiella spp, Streptococcus spp, Bacillus spp., Citrobacter spp., Acinetobacter Baumannii, Cons and Macrococcus spp. Results: The result shows the growth of micro-organisms in all the fruits, revealing 100% prevalence. It was revealed from the result that Klebsiella spp. was the predominant isolate from the entire 33 isolated organism with 36.36% occurrences, followed by Bacillus spp. and Citrobacter spp. with 15.15%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp at 9.09%, while Morganella morganii has the occurrence rate of 6.06% and Acinetobacter Baumannii, Macrococcus spp and Cons with the least (3.03%). Furthermore, the result showed the growth of micro-organisms in all the fruits samples collected, revealing 100% prevalence. Making RTE fruits a potential source of infection. This is because all the organisms isolated are responsible for serious infections. Conclusion: The microbiological quality of RTE fruits served by street vendors in Kano metropolis was not within the acceptable limits, the result showed the growth of micro-organisms in all the fruits samples collected, revealing 100% prevalence. Making RTE fruits a potential source of infection to the general public and remains a threat to the public health. Therefore, adequate awareness strategies should be put in place to educate the general public on proper hygiene measures and increase public health surveillance of antibiotic resistant pathogen in ready to eat fruits should be encouraged.