Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility of E. Coli O157:h7 in Meat and Fish Sold in Major Ibadan Markets, Nigeria

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

² Department of Medical Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu campus, Nigeria

³ Department of Virology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

⁴ Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Otta, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Dr. Ayodele Oluwafunmilayo Abosede

Department of Medical Microbiology

University College Hospital, Ibadan

Oyo State

Nigeria

Email: ayofunmi77@gmail.com

Phone: +23430706535

Abstract

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the major causes of foodborne illness and it is of public health importance. Thus, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize Escherichia coli O157:H7 from meat and fish sold in Ibadan markets. A total of 400 samples comprising of raw meat (beef, goat, pig, chicken, turkey) and fish (Sardine, Titus) were purchased from major markets in different parts of Ibadan. The samples were pre-enriched in tryptone soya broth at 37℃ for 24 hours, subcultured onto MacConkey, Blood and Sorbitol MacConkey agar plates. Thereafter, the organisms isolated were screened biochemically using Microbact GNB 12E. Antibiotic susceptibility and Double-disk synergy was performed using disc diffusion, Plate agglutination and PCR tests were used to identify E. coli O157:H7. 78 (19.5%) of the isolates obtained were identified as E. coli. The incidence of E. coli serotype O157:H7 was 6 (1.5%), 3 (50%) carries eaeA, hly, rfbE and flich7 genes, 3(50%) harboured flich7, rfbE and hly gene. The E. coli O157:H7 isolates were from beef 1 (0.8%), chevon - 1 (2.0%), pork 1 (4.0%), Sardine fish 2 (3.3%), Titus fish 1 (1.7%). 4 (66.7%) of the E. coli O157:H7 isolated were resistant to two or more antibiotics. The resistance rate was very high in Ampicillin - 66.7%, Cefuroxime - 66.7% and Gentamicin - 50.0%. The isolates were 100% sensitive to Ceftazidime and Ciprofloxacin. The isolation of E. coli O157:H7 in raw meat/fish and the existence of antimicrobial resistant isolates highlight the potential threat to public health.

Keywords: Escherichia coli O157:H7, Markets, Raw meat, Raw fish, Antibiotics

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