Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen. It has an increasing concern about the spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to June 2015, and a total of 284 milk and meat samples were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and the determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Out of the total 284 samples, 70 (24.6%) were bacteriologically positive for E. coli and 14.3% were found to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Of note, 100% of E. coli isolates carried the pal gene and 41.7% eaeA gene (EHEC). Of these EHEC isolates, 40% and 60% were positive for stx1 and stx2, respectively. E. coli isolates showed the highest level of susceptibility to gentamycin (91.7%) but the highest level of resistance to amoxicillin (95.8%). Of the tested isolates, 18 (75%) of E. coli showed multidrug-resistant. This study revealed the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in foods of bovine origin in the study area. In conclusion, a nationwide phenotypic and molecular characterization, in-depth typing, and drug-resistant gene identification of E. coli O157:H7 should be undertaken.

Background: Among Food-borne diseases, S. aureus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis resulting from the consumption of contaminated food. Objectives: The study aimed to isolate and characterize S. aureus from raw milk, yogurt and meat and determine its antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to June 2015 in Mekelle. A total of 284 samples were collected purposively. Enumeration of total viable bacteria count (TVBC), bacteriological isolation and identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as PCR amplification of fem A and mec A genes were performed. Chi-square (χ2) and one way ANOVA tests were used for analysis. Results: Overall TVBC mean was found to be 1.29x108cfu/ml/g. The highest TVBC (1.38x108cfu/ml) was from the yogurt sample and the lowest (1.26x108cfu/g) was from meat. The overall prevalence of coagulase positive S. aureus (CoPS) was 39.1% (111) and of the smaples, 51(56.04%), 38(26.20%) and 22(45.83%) were isolated from meat, raw milk, and yogurt, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) among the different sample types and sources in the prevalence of S. aureus. Almost half of the CoPS isolates were sensitive to Tetracycline, Gentamycin, and Kanamycin, but resistant to Amoxicillin (96.9%) and Penicillin G (93.8%). Moreover, 93.75% of the isolates developed multidrug resistance. All isolates carried the fem A gene and among these isolates, 12 (37.5%) carried mec A gene. Conclusion: The present study revealed that foods of bovine origin of the study area are found to be having less bacteriological quality, high prevalence of CoPS and development of drug resistance.

Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains which may results in sporadic cases to serious outbreaks in the whole world. Cattle have been identified as a major reservoir of the pathogen. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014-June 2015 and a total of 284 milk and meat were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures, and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Results: Out of the total 284 samples, 70(24.64%) were positive bacteriologically to E. coli and 14.29% were found to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. All (100%) E. coli isolates carried the pal and 41.67% eae gene (EHEC). Of these EHEC isolates 40% and 60% were positive for stx1 and stx2, respectively. E. coli isolates were showed the highest level of sensitivity for Gentamycin (91.7%) but the highest level of resistance to Amoxicillin (95.8%). Of the tested isolates, 18(75%) of E. coli showed multiple antimicrobial resistance.Conclusions: The current study revealed the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 in foods of bovine origin in the study area. So, there is a chance of acquiring infection via the consumption of raw or undercooked food of bovine origin. Thus, awareness creation should be made on foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 with due consideration on the safe handling and consumption of food of animal origin.

Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains which may results in sporadic cases to serious outbreaks in the whole world. Cattle have been identified as a major reservoir of the pathogen. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014-June 2015 and a total of 284 milk and meat were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coliO157:H7 and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures, and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Results: Out of the total 284 samples, 70(24.64%) were positive bacteriologically to E. coli and 14.29% were found to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coliO157:H7. All (100%) E. coli isolates carried the pal and 41.67% eae gene (EHEC). Of these EHEC isolates 40% and 60% were positive for stx1 and stx2, respectively. E. coliisolates were showed the highest level of sensitivity for Gentamycin (91.7%) but the highest level of resistance to Amoxicillin (95.8%). Of the testedisolates, 18(75%) of E. coli showed multiple antimicrobial resistance. Conclusions: The current study revealed the occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coliO157:H7 in foods of bovine origin in the study area. So, there is a chance of acquiring infection via the consumption of raw or undercooked food of bovine origin. Thus, awareness creation should be made on foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 with due consideration on the safe handling and consumption of food of animal origin.