Abstract

Background and Aim: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens jeopardize food safety. It has become a global crisis. This study determines the prevalence of E. coli and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in milk, meat, and eggs in retail markets and farms in Bangladesh.
Methods: In total, 302 samples were collected, comprised of 110 milk, 62 chicken, 80 egg, and 50 beef samples, respectively from July 2015 to June 2018. Traditional methods were applied for the isolation of E. coli, followed by PCR detection of ARGs.
Results: Overall, the prevalence of E. coli was 49%. The prevalence in beef (74%) was significantly higher compared to chicken (58.1%), egg (52.5%), and milk (30%) samples, respectively. Antibiogram profiles revealed significant resistance to erythromycin (81.1% - 90.9%) and oxytetracycline (64.9% - 91.7%), while displaying sensitivity to amikacin (85.7% - 100%) and ciprofloxacin (75.8% - 94.6%). MDR was detected in 77% of food samples, and PCR detected 39.2% tetA and 29.7% strA, with 20.3% co-existence. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of these genes revealed 100% similarity with other countries.
Conclusion: Antibiotics should be recommended in both humans and animals, considering the observed resistance patterns. Hygiene and sanitation from farm to fork are essential to mitigate contamination. Governments must implement constant surveillance and limit antibiotic use to prevent the dissemination of ARGs. 

Key words: Prevalence, E.coli, AMR, MDR, Phylogenesis