DETECTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN SELECTED PIG FARMS IN NEKEDE, OWERRI/IMOSTATE

In recent years, a negative trend of increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) Stains has been noted worldwide. Cases of MRSA have increased in livestock animals and are found in intensively reared production animals where it can be transmitted to humans. The study investigated the occurrence of MRSA in pigs from selected piggery farms. In Nekede with high density of pig production. Out of the 200 nasal and rectal swabs collected MRSA was isolated from 68% of the pigs. Isolated were confirmed to be Staphylococcus aureas on the basis of colonial morphology, coagulase production, DNase and catalase tests. Antimicrobial pattern of S. aureus showed resistance to levofloxacin (59%) ciprofloxacin (54%), methicillin (91%), ampiclox (85%) and amoxicillin (69%). This study demonstrated the prevalence of MRSA in pigs from these farms and it is a concern because of the transmission of MRSA between pigs and humans