Dressed chicken as potential vehicle for spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Sokoto, Nigeria

Ibrahim A Musawa; Yusuf Yakubu; Bashiru Garba; Fatimah M Ballah; Hassan Abdurrahman Jibril; Abdulmalik S Bello; Mohammed Gaddafi Sani; Abubakar Farida

doi:10.2144/fsoa-2020-0066

Dressed chicken as potential vehicle for spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Sokoto, Nigeria

Future Sci OA. 2020 Aug 24;6(10):FSO619. doi: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0066.

Authors

Ibrahim A Musawa¹, Yusuf Yakubu¹, Bashiru Garba¹, Fatimah M Ballah¹, Hassan Abdurrahman Jibril^{1

2}, Abdulmalik S Bello³, Mohammed Gaddafi Sani⁴, Abubakar Farida⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
³ Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁴ Kebbi State Ministry of Animal Health, Husbandry & Fisheries.
⁵ Sokoto State Ministry of Animal Health & Fisheries Development.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the role of dressed chicken in the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Materials & methods: 190 chicken carcass rinsates were subjected to culture and biochemical analyses to isolate and identify MRSA. PCR was used to amplify mecA gene that is responsible for methicillin resistance.

Results & conclusion: Culture and molecular analysis showed 19.5% (37/190) of the rinse had MRSA on oxacillin-resistance screening agar base (ORSAB) with 7.9% (15/190) possessing the mecA gene. Significant association (p = 0.044) exist between local-chicken and presence of MRSA, being twice more likely to have MRSA compared to exotic-chickens (odds ratio [OR] = 2.132). Results indicate possible role of dressed-chicken in the spread of MRSA. Authorities should regulate the sale and use of antibiotics by farmers, and enhance hygienic practices at slaughterhouses.

Keywords: Methicillin-resistant Staphyococcus aureus; Sokoto; carcass rinse; dressed chicken.