Multidrug-resistant extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli from farm produce and agricultural environments in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern, especially the extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli bacteria are emerging as a global human health hazard. This study characterized extended-spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) isolates from farm sources and open markets in Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 254 samples were obtained in Edo State and included representatives from agricultural farms (soil, manure, irrigation water) and vegetables from open markets, which included ready-to-eat (RTE) salads and vegetables which could potentially be consumed uncooked. Samples were culturally tested for the ESBL phenotype using ESBL selective media, and isolates were further identified and characterized via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for β-lactamase and other antibiotic resistance determinants. ESBL E. coli strains isolated from agricultural farms included 68% (17/25) from the soil, 84% (21/25) from manure and 28% (7/25) from irrigation water and 24.4% (19/78) from vegetables. ESBL E. coli were also isolated from RTE salads at 20% (12/60) and vegetables obtained from vendors and open markets at 36.6% (15/41). A total of 64 E. coli isolates were identified using PCR. Upon further characterization, 85.9% (55/64) of the isolates were resistant to ≥ 3 and ≤ 7 antimicrobial classes, which allows for characterizing these as being multidrug-resistant. The MDR isolates from this study harboured ≥1 and ≤5 AMR determinants. The MDR isolates also harboured ≥1 and ≤3 beta-lactamase genes. Findings from this study showed that fresh vegetables and salads could be contaminated with ESBL-E. coli, particularly fresh produce from farms that use untreated water for irrigation. Appropriate measures, including improving irrigation water quality and agricultural practices, need to be implemented, and global regulatory guiding principles are crucial to ensure public health and consumer safety.

Antibacterial Resistance and Phenotypic Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Environmental Sources in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…The occurrence of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in our study suggest that the enzymes may be responsible for β-lactam resistant isolates were ESBL producers and this suggest that the resistant to β-lactam may be due to other mechanism like modification of target site of β-lactam or decrease in cellular uptake of the antibiotics. The percentage occurrence of ESBL producing Escherichia coli (36.36%) was lower than 68% Igbinosa et al (2023) and higher than 29.6% Kimera et al (2021), Salmonella enterica (43.75%) which was lower than 58.1% as reported by Parvin et al (2020) and Klebsiella Richard et al Antibacterial Resistance and Phenotypic Detection of Extended Spectrum pneumoniae (66.7%) was higher than 45.5% in the study conducted by Kimera et al (2021).…”

Molecular analysis of multidrug-resistant E. coli in pediatric UTIs: findings from a Nigerian Hospital

“…The development of betalactamases enzymes may be the cause of amoxicillinclavulanate resistance [16]. Moreover, the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase has been identified as the primary source of multiple resistance in E. coli [17]. The most common mechanism of cotrimoxazole resistance is the acquisition of plasmid-encoded, variant diaminopyrimidinefolatereductase enzymes [18], whereas the relatively high rates of gentamycin resistance in this study are most likely due to the antibiotic's indiscriminate use.…”

Multidrug-resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing lactose-fermenting enterobacteriaceae in the human-dairy interface in northwest Ethiopia

“…The pooled prevalence of ESBL enzyme production among Enterobacteriaceae in wastewater was 24.8% [ 52 ]. Another report in Nigeria indicated that the waste from the farm was one source of ESBL enzyme-producing bacterial contamination of vegetables [ 59 ]. Therefore, this evidence indicated that waste from farms can be the source of not only infection but also AMR bacteria.…”