Introduction: An increase in the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in recent years is becoming
worrisome. Domestic cockroaches can play a significant role in the dissemination of such bacteria between the environment
and human beings. This study aimed at determining anti-microbial resistance pattern of food borne illness associated bacteria
identified from cockroaches trapped in restaurants and cafeterias.
Methods: Trapped cockroaches were picked with surgical gloves, sealed in sterile plastic bags and transported to the Microbiology
laboratory. Standard microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify bacteria. Anti-microbial susceptibility testing
was done using Kirby Bauer diffusion technique.
Result: A total of five species of food borne illness associated bacteria were detected. Majority (57.1%) of the bacteria were
isolated from the gut of cockroaches. More than 89% of the isolates were multi drug resistance (MDR). MDR was higher on
gram positive bacteria.
S. aureus
showed 53.3% resistance against oxacillin(MRSA) and 33.3% against vancomycin.
Conclusion: A very high percentage of MDR bacteria was seen in this study. Most of the bacteria tested were isolated from the
gut of cockroaches. Potential factors associated with cockroaches that contributed to this high MDR rate of the isolates should
be investigated in future.
