Abdoullahi Hissein Ousman^{1, 2,}, Bougma Sanogo³, Ouédraogo Nicolas³, Djimbo Adjam¹, Valery Mbaigolmem Beral¹, Tapsoba François³, Savadogo Aly³, Tidjani Abdelsalam¹

Fish is an important source of nutrition for millions of people around the world. However, improper handling and processing can cause food poisoning in consumers. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of grilled fish, Kanda (Local fish, sesame and vegetable mixed balls), and fish rice sold in street restaurants in the city of N’Djamena, as well as contamination by bacteria resistant to common antibiotics. Thirty (30) samples were analyzed for anti-microbial resistance (AMR), total and fecal coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. using standardized methods during the period from March to September 2016. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the agar diffusion method. The total mesophilic aerobic flora ranged from 3.65,10⁵ to 3.68,10⁶ CFU/g. Total coliform ranged from less than 10 to 4.44,10³ CFU/g, while fecal coliform ranged from less than 10 to 3.91,10³ CFU/g. As for Staphylococcus aureus, the loads ranged from 1.20,10² CFU/g to 2.34,10³ CFU/g. No salmonella colonies were detected. Microbiological analyses showed that 36.70% of samples were unsatisfactory for TAMF bacteria, 46.70% were unsatisfactory for fecal coliforms, 76.70% were unsatisfactory for total coliforms, and 6.66% were unsatisfactory for Staphylococcus aureus. Research into antibiotic-resistant bacteria showed that all Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to nalidixic acid, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline, and 50% were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. About Staphylococcus aureus, all isolated strains showed intermediate or absolute resistance to nalidixic acid, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while 75% were resistant to tetracycline. All strains of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, while 50% showed intermediate or absolute resistance to nalidixic acid and tetracycline. All strains of Enterobacter cloacae showed intermediate or absolute resistance to ceftriaxone. These results show that grills fish, Kanda, and fish rice are mostly contaminated and harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through food.

Street Food, Fish, Microbiological Hygiene, Antibiotic Resistance, N’Djamena