Asian Journal of Research in Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Thryonomys swinderianus (grasscutter) is a source of meat with high nutritional values, low in cholesterol and relatively high in protein therefore, it is a sort for in Nigeria and some other African countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentials for zoonotic infections and for the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the faecal samples of Thryonomys swinderianus. Fresh faecal samples were collected from seven (7) Thryonomys swinderianus at selling point in Sekona, Osun State, Nigeria.  They were cultured on appropriate media and a total of 62 enteric bacterial isolates were recovered, they are:- Escherichia coli 22 (365.5 %),  Enterobacter  cloacae, 12 (19.4%), Citrobacter koseri  9 (14.5%),  Citrobacter freundii  4 (6.6 %), , Klebsiella  pneumoniae 10 (16.1 %), Klebsiella oxytoca 1 (1.6 %)  and Serratia liquefaciens 4 (6.6%) Escherichia coli O157:H7 were found to be 50% of the Escherichia coli present. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Using commercially available antibiotic disc. The percentage of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) for all the isolates were quite high for cefiazidime (100%), augumentin (99.1%), cefuroxime (97.1%), cerixime (85.02%), but relatively low for ciprofloxacin (3.4%), oflaxacin (1.82%), and all the isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin. All the enteric bacteria isolated from faecal samples of grass cutter were multiple antibiotic resistance bacteria and of great health concern. In conclusion Thryonomys swinderianus harbors different enteric bacteria which could cause several infections in humans, and nitrofurantoin can help the physician in the management of infections caused by the animals.