Mapping of Antibiotic Resistance Hotspots in Market Environments in Kaduna Metropolis Using Environmental Sampling

Markets represent high-footfall environments where antibiotic-resistant organisms can disseminate through contaminated surfaces, food products, and human contact, yet they remain largely unmapped as antibiotic resistance hotspots in Nigerian cities. This environmental surveillance study mapped antibiotic resistance hotspots in Kawo Market and Barnawa Market, two of the largest commercial markets in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, in the North West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Environmental swabs were collected from 80 sites including meat vendor surfaces, vegetable stalls, pharmacy counters, public toilet handles, and drainage outlets over three consecutive weeks. Bacterial isolation was performed on selective and differential media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer method, and multi-drug resistance profiles were characterized. ESBL-producing organisms were detected in 36.3 percent of environmental samples, with the highest concentration around raw meat and drainage outlets. Pharmacy counter surfaces harbored MRSA and MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and cotrimoxazole was widespread. These findings provide the first documented resistance map of market environments in Kaduna and highlight the critical need for environmental antibiotic resistance monitoring as part of the One Health surveillance agenda. Enhanced market hygiene, antibiotic sales regulation, and quarterly environmental resistance sampling are recommended. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, environmental sampling, market surveillance, Kaduna, One Health.