Detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in animal products and investigation of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance can be considered a major threat to public health, with approximately 700,000 people dying each year due to antimicrobial resistance and a projected increase to 10,000,000 by 2050 if no measures is taken. Antibiotics have been used as growth promoters as well as disease treatments in animals and unconscious use can lead to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Unconscious use and easy spread between bacteria is predicted to increase the spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, one of the most important antibiotic resistances. Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is a commensal but also pathogenic species and an indicator of fecal contamination, can produce extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) and exhibit resistance by hydrolyzing beta lactams, which constitute 65% of the total antibiotics sold, although it may vary according to years. Infections caused by Extended spectrum beta lactamase producing E. coli are reported to cause more health costs than those that do not. The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the 10 global public health threats to humanity. In this study, 217 food samples including 65 turkey meat, 52 beef, 50 raw milk and 50 fresh cheese were analyzed for the presence of E. coli by classical microbiological techniques and PCR technique. Based on the analysis, a total of 29 (13.3%) E. coli positive strains were isolated and resistance to certain antibiotic groups was determined by disk diffusion method and ESBL positive presence was phenotypically investigated by double disk synergy test and 15 (51.7%) strains were phenotypically positive. In 23 (79.31%) strains, multiple antibiotic resistance was detected and as a result of multiplex PCR analysis for genotypic confirmation of antibiotic resistance, 24 E. coli strains were positive for blaTEM gene and 2 E. coli strains were both blaCTX-M and blaTEM positive and blaSHV was not detected. As a result, it was concluded that the presence of E. coli isolated from frequently consumed food samples within the scope of the study, which may have multiple antibiotic resistance, may pose a significant risk to public health.