Extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases and carbapenemase-producing isolated from fresh produce farms in different governorates of Egypt.

Background And Aim: Fresh produce farms represents a major source of concern since they are becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of carbapenemase and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBL) - producing genes in e isolated from fresh produce farms in Egypt, irrigation water, and people working in these fields.

Materials And Methods: One hundred tomatoes from typical farms were collected in plastic bags. The study also included 20 surface-water samples from different irrigation watersheds in fresh produce farms, as well as 50 feces samples from farmworkers. Suspected was grown on Eosin Methylene Blue agar for 24 h before being biochemically identified using the RapID ONE test. PCR was used to detect carbapenemase (KPC, OXA-48, and NDM) and ESBL (SHV, TEM, and CTX) expressing genes on isolates.

Results: . was identified in 30% of water and 10% of worker samples, while only one isolate was found in tomato samples. One of the six irrigation water isolates tested positive for carbapenem-resistant NDM. In contrast, two isolates tested positive for ESBL determinants, one of which was SHV and the other having both SHV and TEM genes. Two of the five isolates from farmworkers were positive for NDM, with one isolate also testing positive for SHV and TEM. The OXA-48 gene was also discovered in the carbapenem-resistant tomato isolate used in this study.

Conclusion: Carbapenemase- and ESBL-producing were found in fresh produce farms, implying that these resistance genes were being passed down to Egyptian consumers.