Aim: Multi-drug resistant bacteria have become a global issue. Drug-resistant bacteria can be found in humans, animals, food and environmental sources. Staphylococcus aureus is one of many bacteria species known for its antimicrobial resistance. The current study is conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of S. aureus isolated from raw chicken meat samples in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Methodology and results: Fifty raw and fresh chicken meat samples were purchased from 3 different wet markets in Kota Bharu, Kelantan and were transported to the laboratory aseptically. Routine isolation and identification of S. aureus was conducted and the isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) through the detection of a S. aureus specific gene, nucA. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were conducted according to Kirby-Bauer methods (Hudzicki, 2013). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 24% (12/50) of the samples. All the isolates were resistant towards at least two of the antimicrobials tested. Of these, 11 (91.67%), 10 (83.33%), 5 (41.67%), 3 (25%), 1 (8.33%) and 1 (8.33%) were resistant to ampicillin (AMP10), teicoplanin (TE30), amoxicillin (AML10), penicillin (P10), oxacillin (OX1) and mupirocin (MUP20) respectively. In addition to that, all the isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin and cefoxitin. However, all the isolates were negative for the methicillin resistance encoding gene, mecA while one of the isolates showed resistance towards oxacillin. Conclusion, significance and impact of the study: The results from this study indicated that raw chicken intended for human consumption may be contaminated by antimicrobial-resistant strains of S. aureus. This may lead to the colonization or infection in humans. Nevertheless, further detailed investigation to determine the correlation between contamination of chicken meat and colonization of antimicrobial resistant S. aureus should be carried out. The relevance of the present study which showed contamination of fresh chicken meat with antimicrobial resistant S. aureus emphasizes the need to have stricter hygiene measures for retailers during the handling of the chicken meat to minimize or avoid possible health hazards for consumers.
Staphylococcus aureus

Aims: This study was conducted to isolate Bacillus cereus from raw and cooked chicken meat from selected retail shops and wet markets in Kota Bharu and to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of B. cereus. Methodology and results: A total of sixty samples (30 from raw and 30 from cooked chicken meat) were tested for presence of B. cereus. Isolation and identification of B. cereus was done by using routine bacterial culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Bacillus cereus was detected in 16.67% (10/60) of the samples tested. All isolates were negative for the enterotoxigenic gene, nhe genes, however, six of the isolates were found to be positive for hbla genes. B. cereus isolates showed 100% resistance towards beta lactam antibiotics. Conclusion, significance and impact study: Although only 60 samples are analysed in the current study, the fact that toxigenic strains of B. cereus were isolated in cooked chicken meat intended for human consumption implies the potential public health risk it might pose. Further study with increased sample size, screening other toxigenic strains of B. cereus and molecular typing is recommended to have a more detailed understanding of the occurrence of the bacteria in chicken meat in Kota Bharu. It is necessary to educate the public on the risks of food contamination by bacteria that may cause food borne illnesses. Some precautions such as routine checking of the freshness of food before consumption, hygienic preparation and proper cooking of food can be implemented to reduce the risks of food borne illnesses related B. cereus and other potentially dangerous bacteria.
Bacillus cereus ; Foodborne Diseases