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

Ioana Alina Colosi,Loredana Peca,Carmen Costache,Alina Mihaela Baciu,Tristan Gudat,Horațiu Alexandru Colosi,Laura Mihaela Simon,Răzvan Vlad Opriș

doi:10.3390/foods9121726

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.

Highlights

The “antibiotic era”, ushered in by Paul Ehrlich and Alexander Fleming, marked the beginning of a golden age for medicine
In order to determine the prevalence of ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales on fresh produce, during April–May of 2019, a total of 165 vegetables were acquired from supermarkets (n = 2) and farmer markets (n, =; 2) in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
A total number of 6 bacterial colony types were identified on Brilliance UTI agar, based on the instructions provided by the manufacturer

Summary

Introduction

The “antibiotic era”, ushered in by Paul Ehrlich and Alexander Fleming, marked the beginning of a golden age for medicine. Since antibiotics, their development, and use, have become. Due to the extensive use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, aquaculture, and agriculture, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) have emerged at an alarming rate [2]. It is important to note that edible plants and fruits can become contaminated with both antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic bacteria during growth, through the use of animal biofertilizers, such as wastewater and manure [5]. Veterinary use of antibiotics is limited to therapeutic and prophylactic practices

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