ISOLATION OF SHIGA TOXIN O157:H7 ESCHERICHIA COLI, ANTIBIOGRAM, AND PCR DETECTION OF PHOA GENE AMONG ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAINS ISOLATED FROM RAW BEEF AND ASSOCIATED CONTACT SURFACES IN OTA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

Several studies have linked Escherichia coli to the onset of diseases in both healthy and immunosuppressed individuals. This study examines the isolation of Escherichia coli strain O157:H7, antibiotic resistance pattern, and the detection of phoA gene in E. coli isolated from raw beef and its associated contact surfaces. A total of thirty (30) samples were collected from raw beef vendors and were cultured on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, eosin methylene blue, and sorbitol for isolation of Escherichia coli. The isolated E. coli strains were tested against eight antibiotics. Furthermore, the isolates were identified using the phoA gene that codes for alkaline phosphatase. The results revealed E. coli in ten (33.3%) samples tested, while seven (70%) of the ten E. coli isolated harboured the phoA gene. This study showed high resistance (100%) of E. coli to meropenem, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, and cefepime. Followed by nitrofurantoin (85.7%), amikacin (42.9%), and ciprofloxacin (14.3%). Also, this study revealed multidrug-resistant E. coli contamination of raw meat and associated contact surfaces, which implies a breakdown in hygiene among meat vendors. Therefore, meat vendors should be monitored and educated on proper hygiene measures in order to control the spread of pathogenic and resistant strains of Escherichia coli.