Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
Volume 7, Issue 1, 2018

Prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar (Article) (Open Access)

Eltai N.O. , Yassine H.M. , Al Thani A.A. , Abu Madi M.A. , Ismail A. , Ibrahim E. , Alali W.Q.*
  • a Qatar University, Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar
  • b Qatar University, Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar, Qatar University, College of Health Sciences, Doha, Qatar
  • c Qatar University, Biomedical Research Center, Doha, Qatar, Qatar University, College of Health Sciences, Doha, Qatar
  • d Qatar University, College of Health Sciences, Doha, Qatar
  • e Laboratory Services, Medical Commission, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
  • f Hamad Medical Hospital, Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology, Doha, Qatar
  • g Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Public Health, Doha, Qatar, United Arab Emirates University, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, Alain, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: It is well documented that food handlers harbor and shed enteric foodborne pathogens causing foodborne disease outbreaks. However, little known on enteric antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria carriage in food handlers. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline prevalence of fecal AR E. coli among food handlers in Qatar. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 456 migrant food handlers of different nationalities arriving in Qatar on a work permit between January 2015 and December 2016. These samples (25 g each) were collected based on the availability and examination schedule at the Medical Commission facility from those consented to participate. Isolated E. coli bacteria were tested for antibiotic susceptibility against nine antibiotics using the E-test method and Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production. Results: From the 78 E. coli positive samples (17.1%, n = 456), 60% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, whereas, 27% were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Seven isolates (9%, n = 78) were ESBL producers of which five were MDR. Individual AR E. coli frequencies to the nine antibiotics were not significantly (P > 0.05) different by nationality. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we revealed that individual resistant E. coli and MDR resistant E. coli were common in fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar. This may indicate that food handlers can potentially contaminate foods with AR E. coli, a possible public health concern. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Multi-drug resistant ESBL E. coli Food handlers Antibiotic resistance

Index Keywords

tetracycline sulfamethoxazole Escherichia coli ciprofloxacin enzyme synthesis quinolone bacterium isolation epsilometer test extended spectrum beta lactamase ampicillin aminoglycoside antibiotic agent gentamicin human Qatar bacterium identification cephalosporin chloramphenicol feces analysis trimethoprim minimum inhibitory concentration amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid antibiotic agent priority journal nonhuman male prevalence ceftriaxone Article adult antibiotic sensitivity antibiotic resistance bacterium isolate
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049090569&doi=10.1186%2fs13756-018-0369-2&partnerID=40&md5=80fc5b028d078e6812e9ae87681b2c4e
DOI: 10.1186/s13756-018-0369-2
ISSN: 20472994
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English