PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM PROFILE OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES ASSOCIATED WITH CATTLE FARMS IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE

Listeriosis, mostly caused by ubiquitous Listeria spp., notably L. monocytogenes is a foodborne disease of great public health concern with high mortality and severe symptoms. However, it is greatly underreported and diagnosed. Using standard microbiological procedures (EN ISO 11290-12017) and Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial disk diffusion method, the prevalence and antibiogram profile of listerial contaminants from four cattle farms were assessed. A total of 160 samples, 40 samples per farm comprising ten samples each of cattle dung, feed, milk and water were collected. Of the total studied samples, 20.63% (33/160) were positive for listerial contaminants. Farm A (6.88%; 11/160) and cattle feed samples (33%; 13/40) accounted for the highest prevalence among farm and sample type, respectively. Seven different species of Listeria were isolated with L. monocytogenes being the most prevalent (42.42%; 14/33) and L. welshimeri and L. grayi the least prevalent (6.06%; 2/33). 28.57% (4/14) of L. monocytogenes isolates harbored the hlyA virulence gene. A high antimicrobial-resistant rate and MAR index range of 0.07-0.73 to tested antibiotics, including to last-resort drugs, was observed in this study. L. monocytogenes isolates were 100% susceptible to Clarithromycin, with high resistance observed to nalidixic acid (100%), streptomycin (64.29%) and ofloxacin (42.86%). This study findings revealed a significant level of listerial contamination in cattle farm samples. The presence of Listeria spp., especially antimicrobial-resistant L. monocytogenes is a cause for alarm. Appropriate regulatory and monitoring authorities are encouraged to sensitize cattle-breeders and consumers appropriately and step-up checks in the sales of cattle products in Lafia.