Occurrence, characterization, and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus in meat, meat products, and some seafood from Libyan retail markets
Aim: The aim of the current investigation was to screen the presence of Staphylococci spp., especially S. aureus in meat,
meat products of different animal species, and some seafood sold in some retail markets in Libya using cultural and molecular
techniques, and to study their antibiotics resistance profiles.
Materials and Methods: A total of 139 samples from red meat, meat products, and seafood were collected from many areas
in Libya. Enumeration and isolation of Staphylococci spp. and S. aureus by normal cultural methods followed by molecular
identification using molecular techniques by bacterial DNA extraction and partial sequencing of 16S rDNA.
Results: Out of 139 samples, 112 (80.6%) were contaminated with different species of Staphylococci based on cultural
characteristics of Staphylococci on Baird-Parker medium, for which S. aureus was detected in only 32 samples (23%).
However, only six out of 18 (33.3%) isolates sent for sequencing were confirmed to be S. aureus using the molecular
technique. The six identified isolates of S. aureus were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 24 most commonly
used antibiotics. All isolates were resistant to only two antibiotics (cefotaxime and clindamycin). Among these six isolates,
only one confirmed to be methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that food of animal origin could be a source of S. aureus with antimicrobial
resistance characteristics that can be spread through the food chain, and raise the importance of these results for public
health.
Ibrahim Eldaghayes(6-2019)
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