Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> from Raw Cow Milk in Namwala District, Zambia: Public Health Implications

• Main Authors: Wizaso Mwasinga (Author), Misheck Shawa (Author), Patrick Katemangwe (Author), Herman Chambaro (Author), Prudence Mpundu (Author), Ethel M'kandawire (Author), Chisoni Mumba (Author), Musso Munyeme (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>), a major foodborne disease-causing pathogen found in raw cow milk, has even far more reaching public health ramifications as it encodes for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to identify multidrug-resistant (MDR) <i>E. coli</i> from raw cow's milk and evaluate their antimicrobial-resistant profiles. In total, 418 pooled raw cow milk samples were collected from milk collection centers and analysed using standard culture methods to isolate <i>E. coli.</i> Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) was conducted using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and PCR was used to identify cefotaxime (CTX) resistant genes. Overall isolation of <i>E. coli</i> was 51.2% (214/418) with MDR observed in 21% (45/214) of isolates across different antibiotic combinations. Resistance was observed towards ampicillin (107/214, 50%), tetracycline (86/214, 40.1%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (61/214, 28.5%), and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (CTX) (50/214, 23.4%). Notably, 15% (32/214) resistance to CTX was observed, while 12.6% (27/214) exhibited resistance to imipenem. The <i>bla</i>_CTX-M and <i>bla</i>_TEM genes were detected in CTX-resistant isolates. The findings of MDR <i>E. coli</i> that harbour <i>bla</i>_CTX-M and <i>bla</i>_TEM genes in raw cow's milk indicate serious public health risks for consumers.

Item Description

10.3390/antibiotics12091421
2079-6382