Antibiotic Suscepibility Studies on Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Vegetables Sold at Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria

Aim: The study was aimed at antibiotic susceptibility studies on Escherichia coli O157: H7 isolated from vegetables sold at Sokoto Central Market, Northwestern, Nigeria.

Study Design: The study is a cross-sectional study involving sampling of vegetables sold at Central Market, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: The study area is Shehu Shagari Central Market Sokoto were sample are collected and analyzed at central Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. The research was conducted over a period of six (6) months (January, 2019 – June, 2019).

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving sampling of vegetables sold at Central Market, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Vegetable samples were processed and inoculated unto sorbiol MacConkey’s agar (SMAC) at a pH of 7.2 for the isolation of Escherichia coli by streaking method. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out on Escherichia coli which were isolated from the samples analyzed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Isolates DNA was extracted using MiniPrep kit (Zymo research (ZR) California, USA) and then samples were amplified in separate reactions using the GeneAmp PCR (Polymerised chain reaction) System 9700 thermocycler for Escherichia coli O157: H7 specific gene detection.

Results: The presence of E. coli O157:H7 in vegetable samples was 2 (1.25%) and significantly low. High sensitivity patterns were observed against ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidine and cefuroxine. Resistance was found to be high for amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and gentamicin.

Conclusion: Although there was significantly low prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in vegetable samples, investigation of non-0157 shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) is therefore required.