Presence of ESBL-producing E. coli and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Raw Vegetables

Aydın A.

Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, vol.52, no.1, pp.222-228, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 52 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Journal Name: Acta Veterinaria Eurasia
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Page Numbers: pp.222-228
  • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria originating from food pose a threat to global health. Escherichia coli, a fecal-borne bacterium that can be transmitted through raw foods, is one of the most serious health threats. In this study, microbiological analyses and PCR confirmation of 53 raw vegetable samples (carrots, prepared salad, red cabbage, and fresh onions) collected in 2021 yielded E. coli at a rate of 24.5%. In these isolates, the disk diffusion test revealed resistance to tetracycline (46%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (15%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (15%),  ampicillin (15%), cefotaxime (15%), and chloramphenicol (7.6%). A 15% rate of multidrug resistance was detected in these isolates, and no phenotypic ESBL production was detected in the double-disk synergy test. PCR analysis detected blaTEM in 92%, blaCTX-M in 53.8%, and blaOXA in 7.6% of the E. coli strains. No heavy metal resistance genes (cadD, cadX, copA, and czrC) or carbapenem resistance genes were detected in any of the isolates. ESBL genes detected in vegetable-derived E. coli isolates demonstrate that they are an important vehicle for the spread of antibiotic resistance in food and pose a threat to public health.