𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥-𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬

💡 The transmission of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) microorganisms through fruits and vegetables presents a significant food safety concern, necessitating continuous surveillance to assess the prevalence and characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to profile AMR bacteria present in selected fruits and vegetables retailed in markets and from home gardens (HGs) in Oyo, Ogun, and Ekiti states, Nigeria. By analyzing bacterial isolates and their resistance patterns, this research provides insights into the prevalence and distribution of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in fruits and vegetables.

📍 Methodology : Watermelon, cucumber, tomato, and garden egg samples were collected from both retail markets and home gardens. Standard microbiological procedures were employed to isolate and identify bacteria from these samples. The susceptibility of the isolates to eight antibiotics was determined, and multidrug-resistant isolates were screened for the presence of AMR genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.

📍 Key Findings

📌 Bacterial Diversity: A total of 53 bacteria were isolated and identified, belonging to genera such as 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴, 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮, 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢, 𝘈𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴, 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘌𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢, 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢, 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢, 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘰. This diverse array of bacterial species underscores the potential for contamination of fruits and vegetables with various pathogenic microorganisms.

📌 Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance: Thirty-six isolates (67.93%) demonstrated phenotypic resistance to five of the eight antibiotics tested, indicating a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance among the bacterial isolates. Multidrug-resistant isolates were detected in both retail and home garden samples, highlighting the widespread occurrence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria associated with fruits and vegetables.

📌 Detection of AMR Genes: Various AMR genes, including blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, and erm genes, were detected in the isolated bacteria. These genes confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and macrolides, contributing to multidrug resistance among the bacterial isolates.

📌 Comparison Between Retail and Home Garden Samples: Retail fruits and vegetables exhibited higher bacterial contamination (34 isolates) compared to HG samples (19 isolates). However, bacteria from HG samples demonstrated higher resistance to the antibiotics tested, suggesting potential differences in contamination sources and antibiotic exposure between retail and HG environments.

📍 The findings of this study align with previous reports highlighting the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fruits and vegetables from various geographic regions. The contamination of retail and HG samples with multidrug-resistant pathogens underscores the importance of continuous surveillance and intervention measures to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance through food sources.

📍 Implications and Recommendations

📌 Food Safety Concerns: The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fruits and vegetables poses a significant food safety and public health risk, especially considering the consumption of these products either raw or minimally processed.

📌 Hygiene Practices: Improved hygienic practices throughout the value chain, from farm to retail, are essential to prevent contamination of fruits and vegetables with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This includes proper handling, storage, and sanitation procedures.

📌 Surveillance and Intervention: Regular antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance and targeted interventions are necessary to track changes in resistance patterns and mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance through fruits and vegetables. Additionally, further research is needed to investigate the complex value chain for fresh produce and identify critical control points for intervention.

📍 Conclusion : In conclusion, this study highlights the presence of diverse antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fruits and vegetables from retail markets and home gardens in Nigeria. The detection of multidrug-resistant pathogens and AMR genes underscores the urgent need for continuous surveillance and intervention strategies to ensure food safety and public health. Efforts to improve hygiene practices and implement targeted interventions are crucial in mitigating the transmission of antibiotic resistance through fruits and vegetables.

Link to the article : http://tinyurl.com/ypcpp2dw