Prevalence of ESBL, AmpC and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Raw Vegetables Retailed in Romania

Abstract

(1) Background: As β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales are no longer exclusively associated with the health care system, investigating the potential risk they pose to the integrity of the environment and food safety has become of utmost importance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates from retailed raw vegetables and to determine if household washing is an effective method of lowering bacterial load; (2) Methods: Seasonal vegetables (n = 165) were acquired from supermarkets (n = 2) and farmer markets (n = 2) in Romania. Following sample processing and isolation, identification of Enterobacterales was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex was used to ascertain the presence of the main ESBL, AmpC, and Carbapenemase genes. Phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles of isolates were determined by extended antibiograms. Enterobacteriaceae colony-forming units (CFU) counts were compared between vegetable types; (3) Results: Beta-lactamase producing bacteria were observed on 7.9% of vegetables, with 5.5% displaying ESBL/AmpC phenotype and 2.4% identified as Carbapenemase producers. The most frequently detected β-lactamase genes were blaSHV (n = 4), followed by blaCTX-M and blaTEM (each with n = 3). Phenotypic antibiotic resistance analysis showed that 46% of isolates were multiple drug resistant, with aminoglycosides (38.5%) the most prevalent non-β-lactam resistance, followed by first-generation quinolones (38.5%). (4) Conclusions: The present study has described for the first time the presence of β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales in fresh produce retailed in Romania.

Vegetables and Fruit as a Reservoir of β-Lactam and Colistin-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: A Review

“…However, three remaining strains were positive for bla CTX-M-65 , bla CTX-M-125 and bla CTX-M-2 genes, respectively [45]. In addition, the bla TEM , bla SHV , bla CTX-M and bla DHA genes were also reported in Romania in different Enterobacteriaceae species (S. marcescens, E. cloacae, E. coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Proteus vulgaris) [46].…”

β-lactam Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Current Status, Future Prospects

“…Non-aquatic environments also harbour carbapenemases. In one study, 4 out of 856 bacterial isolates from samples of vegetables had carbapenemasesencoding genes [281]. The widespread presence of carbapenemase-encoding genes in the general environment increases the risk of acquisition of carbapenemase resistance genes by P. aeruginosa.…”

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing-Escherichia coli Isolated From Irrigation Waters and Produce in Ecuador

“…However, other reports from the Philippines, Lebanon, and Portugal have documented even higher levels ( Faour-Klingbeil et al, 2016 ; Araújo et al, 2017 ; Vital et al, 2018 ). In most of the studies, the collection of produce samples has been carried out in groceries and wholesale markets, which makes it difficult to analyze sources of contamination ( Bhutani et al, 2015 ; Yang et al, 2019 ; Colosi et al, 2020 ; Richter et al, 2020 ; Song et al, 2020 ). In this study, we collected produce and water from farms and their respective irrigation systems, which allowed us to study contamination at the source (i.e., not due to handling, transport, distribution, and processing).…”

“…In Ecuador, an upper middle-income country, wastewater is almost entirely released untreated into streams; these streams often serve as irrigation water for produce and food-animal agriculture ( Ortega-Paredes et al, 2020a , b ). There are few studies about the dissemination of ESBL- E. coli from irrigation water to produce ( Ben Said et al, 2015 ; Vital et al, 2018 ); most of the studies have been carried out in fresh produce from retail centers and groceries ( Bhutani et al, 2015 ; Faour-Klingbeil et al, 2016 ; Ortega-Paredes et al, 2018 ; Al-Kharousi et al, 2019 ; Yang et al, 2019 ; Colosi et al, 2020 ; Richter et al, 2020 ; Song et al, 2020 ). The aim of this study was to build upon the previous literature to understand the relationship between ARB in irrigation water and ARB on fresh produce obtaining samples from farms and their irrigation water.…”