African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Occurrence of virulent and antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus species in ready-to-eat Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Archachatina marginata vended along the Port Harcourt-Bayelsa route

Chioma Ngoka
  • Chioma Ngoka
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Onoriode Christian Eruteya
  • Onoriode Christian Eruteya
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Abiye Anthony Ibiene
  • Abiye Anthony Ibiene
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B 5323, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 27 October 2020
  •  Accepted: 19 February 2021
  •  Published: 28 February 2021

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the occurrence of Staphylococcus species in ready-to-eat (RTE) Rhynchophorus phoenicis (edible larvae) and Archachatina marginata (land snail) vended along Port Harcourt-Bayelsa route. Eighty samples from four locations were analysed employing standard techniques for proximate and microbiological analyses; virulence determination and antibiotic susceptibility. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and t-test. The mean proximate results revealed the presence of protein (26.01/13.6%), lipid (18.9/3.88%), fibre (5.12/2.01%), ash (3.40/1.11%), moisture (13.47/59.5%) and carbohydrate (32.43/20.07%) for edible larvae/snail, respectively. Of the 80 samples examined, 33 (41.25%) and 52 (65.00%) had total viable bacterial counts and total staphylococcal counts above acceptable microbiological limits, respectively for RTE foods. Seven of the 81 characterized Staphylococcus produced the expected band of 950 bp with sea virulent genes while three produced expected bands of 550 bp with seb virulent genes. Three Staphylococcus aureus strains from edible larvae harboured both virulent genes. The virulent genes bearing Staphylococcus were 100% resistant to augmentin, ceftazidime and cloxacillin but showed varying resistance against ceftriaxone (57.14%), cefuroxime (28.57%), vancomycin (42.86%), oxacillin (42.86%) and cefoxitin (42.86%). The study showed that these RTE foods are potential sources of staphylococcal food poisoning in commuters; hence, food vendors need to conform to standard practice.

 

Key words: Edible larvae, land snail, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (sea), virulence.