Determination of Antibacterial Drug Residues in Commercial Eggs Distributed in Urmia, Iran

Background: The presence of antibacterial drug residues in food caused many concerns for consumers. This study was designed to determine of antibacterial drug residues in commercial eggs distributed in Urmia, Iran.  Methods: Disc diffusion microbial inhibition test was performed using three media seeded with Bacillus subtilis at different pH values (6, 7.2 or 8) and a fourth medium seeded with Micrococcus luteus. Two hundred commercial eggs were collected randomly and examined for antibacterial drug residues. Standard solutions of antibiotics were used as control.  Results: The results of this study revealed that twenty five samples (12.5%) of the prepared eggs were positive for antibacterial substances and all of them were related to macrolides group.  Conclusion: The presence of these residues in eggs could cause health hazards like hypersensitivity reaction, development of resistant organisms to these antibacterial agents, destruction of gastrointestinal natural flora, etc. In conclusion, the antibiotic residues in commercial eggs have to be monitored as routine test due to their side effects on human health.