AI Article Synopsis

  • Vegetables may harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, potentially posing a health risk.
  • In a study analyzing 88 vegetable samples from U.S. retail, 2 samples were found to produce AmpC and 8 were ESBL-producing, indicating the presence of antibiotic resistance.
  • Whole genome sequencing revealed specific strains carrying resistance genes, with a significant number of antibiotic resistance genes identified in spinach samples, emphasizing the role of vegetables in antibiotic resistance transmission.

Article Abstract

Vegetables may serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes. AmpC β-lactamases and extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) inactivate commonly used β-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. In this study, we determined the prevalence of AmpC and ESBL-producing in retail vegetables in the United States. A total of 88 vegetable samples were collected for the screening of AmpC and ESBL-producing using CHROMagar ESBL agar. These vegetables included washed ready-to-eat salad (23), microgreens/sprouts (13), lettuce (11), herbs (11), spinach (5), mushrooms (5), brussels sprouts (4), kale (3), and other vegetable samples (13). AmpC and ESBL activity in these isolates were determined using double disk combination tests. Two vegetable samples (2.27%), organic basil and brussels sprouts, were positive for AmpC-producing and eight samples (9.09%), including bean sprouts, organic parsley, organic baby spinach, and several mixed salads, were positive for ESBL-producing Whole genome sequencing was used to identify the bacterial species and resistance genes in these isolates. Genes encoding AmpC β-lactamases were found in strains S43-1 and 74-2, which were consistent with AmpC production phenotypes. Multidrug-resistant strains S11-1, S17-1, and S45-4 possess an ESBL gene, , whereas five isolates contain genes encoding a minor ESBL, FONA-5. In addition, we used shotgun metagenomic sequencing approach to examine the microbiome and resistome profiles of three spinach samples. We found that was the most prevalent bacteria genus in the spinach samples. Within the family, was the most abundant genus in the spinach samples. Moreover, antibiotic resistance genes encoding 12 major classes of antibiotics, including β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycoside, macrolide, fluoroquinolone, and others, were found in these spinach samples. Therefore, vegetables can serve as an important vehicle for transmitting antibiotic resistance. The study highlights the need for antibiotic resistance surveillance in vegetable products.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8494183PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108559DOI Listing

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