PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS ISOLATED FROM PORK SOLD IN JOS NORTH, PLATAEU STATE

ABSTRACT This study investigated the prevalence and antibiogram of bacterial contaminants isolated from pork sold in Jos North, Plateau State. The study sought to determine the bacterial load, identify the bacterial isolates, and assess their antibiotic resistance patterns. A total of 50 pork meat samples were examined using standard microbiological techniques, including aerobic plate count, staphylococcal count, and coliform count. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical tests, while their antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined by the disk diffusion method. The aerobic plate count ranged from 3.0 × 10⁴ ± 1.15 × 10⁴ cfu/g at Terminus to 2.5 × 10⁵ ± 1.06 × 10⁵ cfu/g at Rusau. Coliform counts were highest at Angwa (3.64 × 10⁵ ± 1.28 × 10⁵ cfu/g) and lowest at Terminus (2.15 × 10⁴ ± 0.60 × 10⁴ cfu/g). Staphylococcal counts varied from 1.73 × 10⁵ ± 0.18 × 10⁵ cfu/g at Rusau to 3.83 × 10⁵ ± 1.01 × 10⁵ cfu/g at Gada Biu. These variations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Four bacterial species were identified: Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli, with Bacillus spp. being the most predominant. Antibiogram analysis revealed multidrug resistance among all isolates. E. coli exhibited the greatest resistance, while Salmonella spp. showed the highest sensitivity, particularly to fluoroquinolones. The findings indicate that pork sold in Jos North is of poor bacteriological quality, with microbial loads exceeding acceptable limits. The presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria poses significant public health risks, highlighting the need for improved hygiene, responsible antibiotic use, and continuous surveillance to ensure food safety.