Prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of food handlers in Qatar
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.
Other Information
Published in: Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13756-018-0369-2
Funding
Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.
History
Language
- English
Publisher
Springer NaturePublication Year
- 2018
License statement
This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Institution affiliated with
- Qatar University
- Biomedical Research Center - QU
- Qatar University Health - QU
- College of Health Sciences - QU HEALTH
- Hamad Medical Corporation
- Ministry of Public Health
- Hamad Bin Khalifa University
- College of Public Policy - HBKU