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Zahra S. Al-Kharousi

Zahra S. Al-Kharousi

Sultan Qaboos Univrsity, Oman

Title: Ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria along with fresh fruits and vegetables: What are the possible consequences?
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Biography

Biography: Zahra S. Al-Kharousi

Abstract

If left untreated, the antibiotic-resistance problem might engage us in a difficult global war against tiny bacterial superbugs. Local efforts to address and manage this problem in various environments will eventually contribute to a better global tackling. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be heavily inhabited by bacteria that can act as a significant reservoir for antibiotic-resistance genes. This study was aimed to determine antibiotic-resistance of bacteria isolated from fresh produce. One hundred and five samples of fresh fruits and vegetables originated from different countries were used to isolate 3 groups of bacteria; Enterobacteriaceae (92 isolates), Enterococcus (31 isolates) and Staphylococcus aureus (3 isolates). Bacteria were identified by PCR and VITEK 2 system and many of them were opportunistic pathogens. Enterobacteriaceae bacteria were resistant to ampicillin (57.6%), cephalothin (42.4%), cefoxitin (26.1%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (19.6%), tetracycline (8.7%), nalidixic acid (5.4%), trimethoprim (5.4%), kanamycin (3.3%) and chloramphenicol (1.1%). Some isolates showed intermediate resistance to imipenem (3.3%) and ertapenem (1.1%). Resistance to cefoxitin indicated possible presence of Ambler class C (AmpC) β-lactamase and this was confirmed by a three-dimensional method in 22 isolates. Enterococcus bacteria were resistant to tetracycline (19.4%), erythromycin (9.7%) and chloramphenicol (3.2%). Intermediate resistance to ciprofloxacin (51.6%) and vancomycin (9.7%) was also found. S. aureus isolates were sensitive to all antibiotics tested. These results suggest that fresh produce may play an important role in disseminating antibiotic-resistant bacteria through the food chain. The possible consequences for ingestion of bacteria harboring antibiotic-resistant genes and their interaction with gut microbiota are also discussed here.