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Microbial contamination of raw meat and its environment in retail shops in Karachi, Pakistan

Nafisa Hassan Ali1, Amber Farooqui, Adnan Khan

  • 1Immunology and Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|July 6, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Retail meat in Pakistan is highly contaminated with bacteria, including potential pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Many isolates showed antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation, posing a public health risk.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety and microbiology
  • Public health
  • Antimicrobial resistance

Background:

  • Retail meat environments are critical points for potential foodborne pathogen transmission.
  • Understanding microbiological contamination in retail meat is essential for public health in Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination in retail meat and its environment in Karachi, Pakistan.
  • To identify specific foodborne pathogens and assess their antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-forming capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 250 raw meat samples and 90 environmental swabs from meat processing areas.
  • Microbiological identification of bacterial species, including foodborne pathogens.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and assessment of biofilm formation.

Main Results:

  • 84% of samples showed bacterial contamination, with 66% of isolates identified as potential pathogens.
  • Key pathogens isolated include Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria, Shigella, and Brucella species.
  • High rates of antibiotic resistance (62-75%) were observed for several antibiotics, with 33% of Salmonella isolates resistant to ampicillin. Biofilm formation was noted in 16% of pathogenic bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Retail meat and associated environments in Pakistan harbor significant levels of foodborne pathogens.
  • The presence of antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-forming bacteria in raw meat poses a risk for the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Interventions in retail settings are crucial to mitigate contamination and control the dissemination of resistant pathogens.

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