A cross-sectional study on the microbiological quality and safety of raw chicken meats sold in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

BackgroundChicken is a rich source of meat protein and is increasingly being consumed in urban areas in Kenya. However, under poor hygienic environment, raw chicken meat presents an ideal substrate supporting the growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Coliform bacteria indicating the potential presence of other pathogenic bacteria; this may constitute a major source of food-borne illnesses in humans. This study sought to assess the microbiological quality and safety of raw chicken meat sold in Nairobi, Kenya by determining the E. coli/coliform contamination levels as well as the antimicrobial resistance patterns and pathogenicity of E. coli isolated.FindingsWe conducted a Cross-sectional study to collect two hundred raw chicken samples that were randomly purchased between the periods of August 2011-February 2012. Enumeration of bacteria was done using 3 M Petri film E. coli/Coliform count plates, isolation and identification of E. coli through standard cultural and biochemical testing, antimicrobial susceptibilities interpreted according to criteria set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (2012) while Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to determine presence of virulence genes in isolated E. coli. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Contamination rates were 97% and 78% respectively for Coliform bacteria and E. coli. Seventy six percent of samples fell under the unacceptable microbial count limit (>100 cfu/ml) and significant differences in the E. coli/coliform counts (p < 0.001) were observed among the chicken retail outlets with samples from supermarkets having the lowest level of contamination compared to the rest of the retail outlets. Seventy five percent of the isolates were resistant to at least one of the 12 antibiotics tested with resistance to tetracycline being the highest at 60.3%. In addition 40.4% E. coli isolates were positive for the ten virulence genes tested.ConclusionRaw retail chicken meats in Nairobi are not only highly contaminated, but also with potentially pathogenic and multi-drug resistant strains of E. coli. It will be important for public health authorities and retail chicken processing outlets to collaborate in ensuring adherence to set out principles of hygienic processing and handling of chicken meats in order to reduce potential risks of infection.

Hygienic Handling and Processing of Raw Beef Meat at Slaughter Houses and Meat Stalls in Gojjam Area, Ethiopia

“…Along with this Salmonella and Shigella species were detected from 47.62% of the total meat sample, so according to CFS, FSANZ AND CREC statute [7,8,13] almost half of the meat samples had unsatisfactory quality. This finding is comparable with different previse findings undertaken in abattoir, retaile raw meat and/ or meat productes [5,[14][15][16][17]; were detected Salmonella at different level from abattoir, meat and meat processing materials.…”

“…The higher rate of contamination of meat with these organisms is an indication of deplorable state of poor hygienic and sanitary practices employed right from the slaughtering, transportation to butcher shops and processing. However similarly in Nairobi Kenya Escherichia coli was detected from 78% raw chicken meat [17]. But unlikely in Australia it found only from 17.8% retail raw meat [14]; and also found from 45% abattoirs and retail outlets [15].…”

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli in husbandry animals: the African perspective

“…In general, although resistance percentages vary significantly among regions and studied animal populations, the highest rates have been reported for tetracycline (10Á6-95%), ampicillin (6Á02-95Á7%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (4Á49-80%) (Wesonga et al 2010;Donkor et al 2012;Adelowo et al 2014;Adenipekum et al 2015;Mainda et al 2015;Rugumisa et al 2016). African studies on foods of animal origin (retail chicken or turkey meat, beef and pork carcasses) also report that resistance levels to these antimicrobials are among the most relevant ones (Soufi et al 2009;Odwar et al 2014;Luanda et al 2016;Mrutu et al 2016). This is not surprising because these drugs have been in use for the longest time both in human and veterinary medicine (Tadesse et al 2012).…”

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of &lt;i&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/i&gt; O157: H7 Serotype from Chicken Droppings Produced by Free - Ranged and Poultry Birds in Cross River, Nigeria

“…Antibiotic usage is considered the most important factor promoting the emergence, selection and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in both veterinary and human medicine [11]. Antimicrobial resistance among E. coli in food animals such as chicken is of increasing concern due to the potential for transfer of these resistant pathogens to the human population [12]. The intestinal track of poultry contains resistant bacteria and accordingly their faecal flora contains a relatively high proportion of resistant bacteria.…”