Isolation, Antibiogram and Factors Associated With Staphylococcus aureus From Fish at the Landing Site and Selected...

In developing countries, foodborne infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus aureus, pose a significant public health risk.

This study aimed to isolate S. aureus, assess its antimicrobial resistance and identify factors influencing its prevalence in unloading sites and restaurants in central Gondar, Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study (December 2023-September 2024) was conducted with a total of 301 fish and swab samples were purposively collected. Samples were analysed for S. aureus using culture, Gram staining, biochemical tests and Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data were analysed using STATA 16 with descriptive statistics at p < 0.05.

From a total of 301 samples were collected from fish, hands and knives at unloading sites, with S. aureus found in 26% of the samples. Of the 201 fish samples, 13% of unfilleted and 39% of filleted fish tested positive. A questionnaire survey revealed that all respondents handled fish with bare hands. Antibiotic testing showed that S. aureus was susceptible to ciprofloxacin (100%) and chloramphenicol (92%) but highly resistant to erythromycin (55%), tetracycline (72%) and penicillin G (87%). Additionally, 57% of isolates were multidrug-resistant.

Over one-fourth of samples were contaminated with S. aureus, mainly due to poor hygiene and bare-hand handling, with high resistance to penicillin and tetracycline observed. Strengthened hygiene practices, routine resistance monitoring and continuous food safety training are recommended.