The most commonly used indicator of fecal contamination in fresh produce production and packing is Escherichia coli. In depth analysis of the prevalence and characteristics of naturally occurring E. coli strains in these environments is important because it can (1) serve as an indicator of sources of fecal contamination; and (2) provide information on strain pathogenicity, persistence, and other defining characteristics such as multidrug resistance. In this study, we analyzed 341 E. coli strains isolated from the jalapeño pepper, tomato and cantaloupe farm environments, in Northeast Mexico. Strains were isolated from produce, farmworkers' hands, soil and water. Pathotypes, genotypes, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance were characterized. Phylogenetic subgroups and identification of diarrheagenic E. coli were determined by PCR; biofilm formation was quantified using a plate-based colorimetric method. Antibiotic resistance was analyzed by the Kirby Bauer diffusion disc method. Most isolates (N = 293, 86%) belonged to phylogenetic group A. Only four isolates (1.2%) were diarrheagenic: EPEC (N = 3) and ETEC (N = 1). Antibiotic resistance to tetracycline (23.2%) and ampicillin (19.9%) was high, and only 3.5% of the strains presented resistance to >5 antibiotics. Biofilms were produced by most strains (76%), among which 34.4% were categorized as high producers. The presence of antibiotic resistant E. coli strains that may contain gene markers for pathogenicity and which can form biofilms suggests potential health risks for consumers.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Biofilm; E. coli; Pathotypes; Phylogroup.
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