Molecular identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria from eggshell surfaces in Nigeria: A growing threat to public health
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
2 Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
3 Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
4 Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Global Health and Infectious Disease Institute, Nasarawa State University, Nigeria.
5 Department of Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy, 2025, 15(01), 021-028
Article DOI: 10.30574/msabp.2025.15.1.0035
Publication history:
Received on 14 March 2025; revised on 08 May 2025; accepted on 10 May 2025
Abstract:
Background: Eggs are an affordable dietary staple in Nigeria, yet they pose a potential public health risk when contaminated. This study assessed the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance profiles on eggshells from markets in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 51 table eggs were randomly sampled from poultry farms and supermarkets. Bacterial isolation and identification were conducted using standard microbiological methods, biochemical testing, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: All eggshell samples (100%) were contaminated with bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent organism. Other isolates included Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Alarmingly, most isolates displayed complete resistance to first-line antibiotics like erythromycin and penicillin, while remaining susceptible to only gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: The widespread bacterial contamination and high levels of antimicrobial resistance observed on eggshells represent a significant public health threat. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved biosecurity in poultry production, enhanced hygiene in market environments, public education on food safety, and systematic surveillance under the One Health framework to mitigate risks associated with contaminated eggs.
Methods: A total of 51 table eggs were randomly sampled from poultry farms and supermarkets. Bacterial isolation and identification were conducted using standard microbiological methods, biochemical testing, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: All eggshell samples (100%) were contaminated with bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent organism. Other isolates included Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Alarmingly, most isolates displayed complete resistance to first-line antibiotics like erythromycin and penicillin, while remaining susceptible to only gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: The widespread bacterial contamination and high levels of antimicrobial resistance observed on eggshells represent a significant public health threat. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved biosecurity in poultry production, enhanced hygiene in market environments, public education on food safety, and systematic surveillance under the One Health framework to mitigate risks associated with contaminated eggs.
Keywords:
Eggshell contamination; Antimicrobial resistance; Food safety; One Health; Public health; Pathogenic bacteria
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Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0