High Carriage of Multidrug-Resistant, Biofilm-Forming MRSA phenotype in Poultry and Swine in Southeast Nigeria
1 Department of Microbiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State.
2 Department of Pharmacy, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
3 Department of Public Health, Federal University of Allied Health Science, Enugu State.
4 Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Allied Health Science, Enugu State.
5 Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Allied Health Science, Enugu State.
6 Department of Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Research Article
World Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Research, 2026, 10(01), 006-014.
Article DOI: 10.53346/wjbpr.2026.10.1.0013
Publication history:
Received on 18 December 2025; revised on 27 January 2026; accepted on 29 January 2026
Abstract:
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a critical zoonotic pathogen with significant public health implications, particularly in settings with intensive animal farming and unregulated antibiotic use. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and biofilm-forming MRSA strains in livestock reservoirs complicates infection control and treatment in both veterinary and human medicine. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns, and biofilm-forming capability of MRSA isolated from poultry and swine in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 240 rectal swab samples (120 from poultry, 120 from swine) were collected from farms in Ndufe-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was phenotypically confirmed using cefoxitin (30 µg) and Oxacillin (1 µg) disk diffusion. Biofilm formation was assessed qualitatively using Congo Red Agar (CRA). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed against antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and results were interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated for each isolate.
Results: The overall prevalence of S. aureus was 80.83% (194/240), with higher rates in poultry (84.17%, 101/120) than in swine (77.50%, 93/120). MRSA accounted for 86.08% (167/194) of all S. aureus isolates, with significantly higher prevalence in poultry (94.06%, 95/101) compared to swine (77.42%, 72/93). Biofilm production was observed in 51.50% (86/167) of MRSA isolates, with poultry strains showing a higher propensity (71.83%, 51/71) than swine strains (53.03%, 35/66). All biofilm-forming MRSA isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. High resistance rates were observed against amoxicillin-clavulanate (90.2–100%), cefoxitin (100%), tetracycline (70.6–100%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%), and erythromycin (57.1–72.6%). Notably, all isolates remained susceptible to gentamicin (78.4–97.1%) and levofloxacin (88.6–100%). The MAR indices were alarmingly high, ranging from 0.60 (poultry) to 0.87 (swine).
Conclusion: This study reveals a high prevalence of MDR and biofilm-forming MRSA in poultry and swine within the study region. The elevated MAR indices and significant resistance to critically important antibiotics underscore a substantial zoonotic risk and highlight the consequences of unregulated antimicrobial use in livestock production. These findings necessitate urgent implementation of antimicrobial stewardship, enhanced biosecurity measures, and integrated One Health surveillance to mitigate the spread of these resilient pathogens from farm to fork.
Keywords:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); Poultry; Swine; Biofilm; Multidrug resistance; Antimicrobial stewardship; One Health
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