ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING OF ISOLATED Staphylococcus aureus FROM PANEER SOLD IN KATHMANDU

Abstract

Paneer is a fresh acid-set, non-aged, non-melting soft indigenous food made from curdling milk. Safety of dairy products is an issue of public health in Nepal. Staphylococcus aureus is an food borne pathogen of importance in dairy products. The main aim of this study is to detect microbial quality of paneer marketed in different localities of Kathmandu district. In present study, 30 paneer samples were randomly collected from dairy shops from 5 different locations in Kathmandu (Bafal, Kalanki, Naikap, Sitapaila and Thamel) during April to May 2022 and processed at laboratory of of Microbiology, Amrit Campus. Microbial analysis of paneer was done by Total bacteria count and total Staphylococcal count S. aureus were identified by biochemical tests and their antibiotic susceptibilty test was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results obtained from this investigation revealed that out of 30 samples, 39.9% in Total Bacterial Count (TBC) was above specification. Among 30 samples, 29 samples showed Staphylococcus spp. growth and of those only 12 confirmed as Staphylococcus aureus . Among them 6 (20 %) exceeded specification of 100 cfu/gm. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of S. aureus showed 100% sensitivity towards Cotrimoxazole and Gentamycin and Levofloxacin, whereas resistance towards Chloramphenicol (8.3%), Cefoxitin (8.3%), Tetracycline(8.3%), Penicillin G (41.6%), Ampicillin (16.6%), Nalidixic acid (41.6%) and Azithromycin (16.6%). MRSA was detected in 1(3.34%). This study concluded that maximum number of sample exceeding microbial specification and antibiotic resistant isolates were reported from Naikap. Irresponsible and over use of antibiotics has lead to an increased the presence of multidrug Regular microbial quality monitoring of marketed paneer should be carried out by authorized Institution of Government of Nepal. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and control the quality marketed in Kathmandu.