The aim of study was to investigate the correlation between the level of 17
antibiotic residues and 6 antibiotic resistances of Escherichia
coli isolates in chicken meats. A total of 58 chicken meats were
collected from retail grocery stores in five provinces in Korea. The total
detection rate of antibiotic residues was 45% (26 out of 58). Ten out of 17
antibiotics were detected in chicken meats. None of the antibiotics exceeded the
maximum residue level (MRLs) in chicken established by the Ministry of Food and
Drug Safety (MFDS). The most detected antibiotics were amoxicillin (15.5%),
followed by enrofloxacin (12.1%) and sulfamethoxazole (10.3%). In a total of 58
chicken meats, 51 E. coli strains were isolated. E.
coli isolates showed the highest resistance to ampicillin (75%),
followed by tetracycline (69%), ciprofloxacin (65%), trimethoprim/
sulfamethoxazole (41%), ceftiofur (22%), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (12%).
The results of study showed basic information on relationship between antibiotic
residue and resistance for 6 compounds in 13 chicken samples. Further
investigation on the antibiotic resistance patterns of various bacteria species
is needed to improve food safety.