Molecular Characterization and Antibiotic Profile of Diarrhogenic E.Coli Isolated from Money and Cellphones of Food Handlers in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Escherichia coli is nonpathogenic facultative flora of the human intestine. However, some strains have transformed to become pathogenic hence diarrheagenic E. coli. There is inadequate data on the role money and cellphones play in the transmission of E. coli and their antibiotic profiles in Kenya. This study aimed at characterizing diarrhogenic E. coli and antibiotics profiles determination. The study participants were enrolled from selected food handling establishments in Kenya. Swabs from money and cell-phones were collected and cultured in appropriate media for the isolation, identification of E. coli and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The E. coli pathogens showed some degree of resistant against ampicillin, Sulphamenthoxazole, streptomycin and tetracyclin. Resistance may be associated with decreased potency that can be due to drug degradation/adulteration, or presence of a lower concentration of active ingredients. Six strains of E. coli had a combination of genes coding for; EPEC, EHEC and EIEC. Pathogenic E. coli are a major causes of diarrheal diseases hence significant in this study since they were isolated from food handlers. Money and cell phones are possible vectors of pathogenic E. coli which are antibiotic resistant and can act as sources of outbreaks if proper hand hygiene is not observed.