Analysis of the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance in coliform isolates recovered from food products

Introduction. The global incidence of the diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms is increasing annually. At present, measures are being developed and implemented to combat the spread of bacteria resistance to antibiotics. A key strategy in this effort is the systematic monitoring of microbial resistance.

Objective. To study the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance in Escherichia coli and other coliform isolates recovered from food product samples.

Materials and methods. Coliform isolates recovered from food and water samples were used for this study. The bacteria were identified by biochemical methods using API 20 E kit and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antibiotic resistance was determined with disc diffusion method.

Results. A total of 2,667 tests of food and water samples for coliforms were carried out at the Vladimir Testing Laboratory of the Federal Centre for Animal Health in 2024; 134 coliform isolates were recovered. Tests of the recovered isolates for their antibiotic resistance showed high resistance rates to nalidixic acid, levofloxacin, cefalotin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. Additionally, data on Escherichia coli isolates resistant to third-generation and fourth-generation cephalosporins are presented.

Conclusion. Coliform isolates showed 100% susceptibility to carbapenems. The recovered isolates exhibited the highest resistance to quinolones, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and tetracyclines. Escherichia coli isolates demonstrated high resistance to quinolones, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines. Citrobacter spp. and En terobacter spp. isolates were resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins, while Cronobacter spp. isolates were resistant to penicillins, quinolones, and fluoroquinolones. Polyresistant coliforms were isolated during the study, they were predominantly detected in products of animal origin.

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