Meat samples from sheep, bovine, camel and poultry were collected from Amman area and were processed and tested for the presence of methicillin (oxacillin) resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Identity of S. aureus was ensured by Gram-staining and a battery of biochemical tests. From 1260 meat samples, 157 S. aureus positive isolates were identified. Of the 157 isolates, 30 were resistant to methicillin levels greater than 2 µg/ml and only 15 were mecA-positive MRSA originating mainly from sheep and chicken. Subjecting the mecA-positive MRSA to antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that all isolates were resistant to β-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin) and were sensitive to vancomycin, trimethoprim, chloramphenicol and cephalothin. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of mecA-positive animal isolates generated six different patterns. Comparing these results with results of isolates of human origin of our laboratory there is some molecular epidemiological relatedness between both and could be a possible source of infections through consuming contaminated meat products, direct contact or meat processing.

The antimicrobial activity of strains Bacillus megaterium NB-3, Bacillus cereus NB-4, Bacillus cereus NB-5, Bacillus subtilis NB-6 and Bacillus circulans NB-7, previously isolated from the air flora, now in the Jerash Culture Collection (Jordan), was investigated in media containing different nitrogen sources. Maximum antimicrobial activity of strains NB-4, NB-5 and NB-6 was observed using Ca(NO 3 ) 2 as nitrogen source, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 and KNO 2 strongly enhanced the antimicrobial activity of strains NB-3 and NB-7, respectively. The lowest level of the antimicrobial activity of strains NB-4 and NB-5 was observed using NaNO 3 . In case of strains NB-3, NB-6 and NB-7, the lowest antimicrobial activity was observed using NH 4 NO 3 , KNO 3 and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 as nitrogen source, respectively.

We report here the preliminary antimicrobial activity of substances produced by Bacillus subtilis NB-6 (air flora isolate), Bacillus megaterium NB-3 (air flora isolate), Burkholderia mallei NB-8 (water isolate) and Corynebacterium kutscheri NB-1 (soil isolate) against a number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The MRSA were isolated from sheep, bovine, camel and poultry meat samples collected from retails shops and slaughter houses located in Amman area, Jordan. B. mallei NB-8 and C. kutscheri NB-1 were found to possess a good antimicrobial activity against MRSA strains.

American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) is considered one of the most virulent bacterial diseases of honeybee (Apis mellifera); it has a vital negative impact on the beekeeping industry worldwide. This work includes the subsequent diagnosis including; chemical, microbiological procedure for detection of Paenibacillus larvae. During the spring and the summer of 2009, fifty-six honey and larval samples were collected from 56 inspected honeybees colonies located in 53 apiaries representing beekeeping all over Jordan. The samples were examined to assess the presence of Paenibacillus larvae in honey samples by using both chemical and microbiological methods. Honey bees field diagnosis procedures were considered to be the first diagnosis step for AFB, which can be done by the beekeepers themselves. The total of 57 (honey brood and brood nest honey) from different regions of Jordan was inspected to carry P. larvae spores with 35%. The percent referred to the ability of Jordanian beekeepers to ascertained AFB symptoms. American foulbrood exists in Jordan with different distribution depending on the environmental condition. This pathology can be best detected by isolation of Paenibacillus larvae from Brood-nest honey samples.