Abstract
ABSTRACTCheese is one of the major protein sources consumed in Turkey. In this study, 120 samples of white cheese, cheddar cheese, Cypriot Halloumi, braid cheese and cream cheese were evaluated for Escherichia coli contamination, and also, antibiotic resistance patterns of strains were examined. For this purpose, totally 600 cheese samples were analyzed and 67 of those (11.16%) were found to be contaminated with E. coli. On the other hand, the survey was designed for veterinarians who work in dairy cattle farms. The survey was not only questioning antibiotic administration, but it was also determining the usage of antimicrobials both in prophylaxis and in treatment of mastitis. Erythromycin and gentamycin are mostly preferred antibiotic with a ratio of 100% by veterinarians. These two antibiotics were followed by cephapirin, neomycin, cephalosporin, penicillin G, amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, pirlimycin with a ratio of 92, 87, 85, 85, 79, 78 and 68, respectively. Data acquired from this study indicate that there is a significant relation between field applications of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. coli in cheese. The results of this study underline the effect of a massive administration of antimicrobials for both in prophylaxis and in treatment of mastitis which may also trigger an antimicrobial resistance in E. coli strains. This is not only important for antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from cheese, but also for a possibility of plasmid resistance that can lead to conjugation with other bacteria. In case the above mentioned case occurs, this may cause a significant public health problem.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThis paper represents data about the incidence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli strains isolated from different cheese types in Turkey. The results of the survey underline a strong correlation between antimicrobial resistance of E. coli and reckless massive administration of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this paper is to help trigger different surveys which will be designed to determine antimicrobial administration by veterinarians working at farm level. The design of this study shows that further studies are needed to contribute and strengthen the laboratory data that we have found. The results of this study underline practical application of field surveys which will help strengthen the meaning of antimicrobial resistance data. The antibiotic resistance patterns of E. coli strains that we have evaluated will provide useful information for the development of public health policy in the use of antimicrobial agents in food animal production.
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