Assessment of the Relationship between the Type of Bacterial Isolates and the Profile of Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock Products in Almaty and the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria and to analyze their antimicrobial resistance profiles in animal products sold in markets in Almaty and the Almaty region, Kazakhstan.A total of 519 samples of meat, eggs, milk, and dairy products were examined, selected at 11 markets and trading platforms in the region.Isolation and identification of microorganisms were performed using classical bacteriological methods with selective and differential diagnostic nutrient media.The susceptibility of the isolates to antimicrobial drugs was determined by the disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar with interpretation of the results according to the recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (2025); statistical analysis included the calculation of proportions, 95 % confidence intervals, Pearson's χ² test, and Cramer's V.It was found that 82.9 % of the studied samples were contaminated with pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms.The most frequently isolated species were Listeria monocytogenes (22.4 %), Staphylococcus spp.(18.1 %), Salmonella spp.(10.8 %), and Escherichia coli (10.2 %).The highest levels of phenotypic antimicrobial resistance were observed in E. coli (42.9 %), L. monocytogenes (36.7 %), and Salmonella spp.(34.3 %); differences between bacterial groups were statistically significant (χ²(4) = 21.16;P < 0.001; Cramer's V = 0.306).The results confirm the widespread circulation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animal products from the Almaty region and substantiate the need for systematic monitoring of antimicrobial resistance, enhanced sanitary and epidemiological control, and the rational use of antibiotics within the framework of the One Health concept.