ISOLATION AND ANTIBIOTICS SUPSCEPTIBILITY OF E. COLI 0157H7 FROM MEAT SAMPLES SOLD AT MARKETS IN IKORODU.

E.coli 0157:H7 is a major enteric pathogen known to cause food borne disease in human and animals. This study was aimed at determining the frequency of occurrence of E.coli 0157:H7 in meat samples sold in three selected markets in Lagos State. A total of 20 samples was examined for the presence of E.coli 0157:H7 using Sorbitol MacConkey (SMAC) agar based after initial pre-enrichment of the meat samples for 2hours, agar enhanced with MUG was used. Using a sterile wire loop, a loop of the meat samples was taken and inoculated into Sorbitol Macconkey Agar plates by streaking. The plates were incubated at 37 degree Celsius for 24 hours after which they were observed for colourless, nonsorbitol fermenting colourless characteristics of E. coli 0157:H7. The isolates were subjected to morphological examination and biological test and their identity were confirmed using the characteristics. The test carried out include Gram’s staining, Catalase iTest, Potassium hydroxide test (KOH), Haemolytic Test, Sugar Fermentation Test, Indole Test, Starch Hydrolysis Test, Mannitol broth Test, Urease Test, Hydrogen sulphide Test, Motility Test, and Citrate Test. E. coli O157:H7 isolates were found from 20 samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that E. coli O157:H7 isolates were  antibiotic resistant. The resistance patterns were as follows; Ceftazidime (64.3%), Cefuroxime (85.7%), Gentamicin (71.4%), Cefixime (71.4%), Ofloxacin (64.3%),
Augmentin (92.9%), Nitrofurantoin (71.4%0, and Ciprofloxacin (50%). This result shows that isolate had highest resistance to Augmentin and lowest resistance to Ciprofloxacin. The majority of E. coli O157:H7 isolates in this investigation displayed multidrug resistance to antibiotics in varying degrees.