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ABSTRACT
Escherichia coli is one of the predominant enteric species in the human gut. However, small groups of E. coli, called Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) that are multidrug resistance with wide range of adaptability features appears to be of greater virulence to humans. Ready-to-eat (RTE) protein foods are well-recognized vehicles for the transmission of these STEC to humans. This present research was done to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and 16S rRNA sequence analysis of E. coli strains isolated from some ready-to-eat-protein food samples sold along some major highways in Southern Nigeria. Eighty four ready-to-eat protein based foods were purchased from different vendors in four major highways in Southern Nigeria (24 Edible worms, 24 Hawked Suya, 18 Snail and 18 Pork meats). Twenty two (26.2%) of the examined RTE were contaminated with E. coli. The total mean aerobic counts varied from 16.8 × 105 ±4.58cfu/mL to 22.7×105±4.10cfu/mL; while mean coliform count ranged between 11.98× 104 ±2.89and 6.05×104±1.77cfu/mL. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method and the results interpreted using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The susceptibility profile of E. coli strains to the commonly used local antibiotic discs showed that the E. coli strains were resistant to Augmentin and Septrin (100%) and (4.6%) respectively but were highly susceptible to all other antibiotics; Tarivid (100%), Amoxicillin (100%), Gentamycin (100%), Pefloxacin (100%), Streptomycin (100%), Spafloxacin (100%), Ciprofloxacin (100%). while the susceptibility profile for the commercially available antibiotics range from 9.09% to 100% (Ozoid disc) and 40.9% to 100% for Abtek biological disc.The presence of shigatoxin-producing E. coli were further assayed using the 16S rRNA analyses. The common E. coli serogroup present in the RTE protein foods after blast were O26:H11, 0113:H21, O103:H2, 0145, O157:H7, 113 and another strain of Escherichia; Escherichia fergusonii. Overall, the results obtained from this study proved the occurrence of STEC in RTE protein foods sold along some major highways in southern Nigeria and could be an indication of the unhygienic practices during preparation, handling and storage of these food products.
