The present study aims to detect the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
(ESBL) by enterobacteria isolated from samples of fresh shrimp and fish obtained from
the retail trade of the city of Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil. All
bacterial isolates were submitted to identification and antimicrobial susceptibility
testing using aminopenicillin, beta-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenem, 1st,
2nd, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, and
monobactam. Three types of beta-lactamases - ESBL, AmpC and KPC - were investigated.
103 strains were identified, and the most frequent species in shrimp and fish samples
was Enterobacter cloacae (n = 54). All the strains were resistant to
penicillin and more than 50% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and
cephalothin. Resistance to three 3rd generation cephalosporins
(cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and ceftazidime) and one fourth generation cephalosporin
(cefepime) was detected in two isolates of E. cloacae from shrimp
samples. Phenotypic detection of AmpC was confirmed in seven strains. The ESBL was
detected in two strains of E. cloacae from shrimp samples. No strain
showed KPC production. These data can be considered alarming, since food (shrimp and
fish) may be carriers of enterobacteria resistant to drugs of clinical interest.