OCCURRENCE OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN HOSPITAL CAFETERIA FAST FOODS OF DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Keywords:
fast foods, hospital cafeteria, antibiotic resistance, virulence genes, resistance genesAbstract
Purpose: The capacity of fast foods of harboring different pathogens along with their increasing popularity constitutes a significant global public health concern. The aim of this research was to identify the different multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial species as well as the frequency of resistance determinants and pathogenicity in the isolates from hospital cafeteria fast food in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Methods: Eighty seven isolates were retrieved from 16 samples; 8 sandwiches and 8 burgers; from 8 different hospital cafeterias of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The isolates were categorized into different groups based on morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics and further genotyping was done by RAPD-PCR and 16s rRNA sequencing. The antibiogram profiling of the isolates was done by disc diffusion method using 17 available antibiotics from 11 different antibiotic classes. Virulence and antibiotic resistance genes were detected by gene specific PCR.
Results: The total viable bacterial counts from burger and sandwich samples were ranging from 2.1× 102 to 4.0× 106 (CFU/g) and 7.0× 102 to 1.0 × 106 (CFU/g) respectively. The total bacterial load in both fast food samples exceeded the limit indicating unsatisfactory condition. The fast food isolates were classified into different genotypes belonging to Escherichia spp., Enterobacter spp., Leclarcia spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Citrobacter spp. and Acinetobacter spp. using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing. Additionally, 50% of the isolates of E. coli were uidA positive, 12.5% of Pseudomonas species were positive for the virulence gene oprL, and Salmonella was invA positive. Klebsiella spp were strong biofilm formers (OD> 1.36). On blood agar plate assay, β-hemolysis was observed for Pseudomonas and Klebsiella spp. along with Salmonella spp. All isolates showed complete resistance to ampicillin and penicillin, as well as resistance to at least three other antibiotics. 20% of the isolates had the class A β-lactamase blaSHV antibiotic resistance genes followed by blaOXA-48 (16.67%), blaOXA-1 (2.22%), blaKPC-1 (2.22%). For fluoroquinolone resistant isolates, gyrB gene was most prevalent (50%) followed by qnrS (41.67%).
Conclusion: The multi-drug resistant (MDR) fast food isolates from hospital cafeterias that contain virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance gene markers underscore the hazardous state of hospital-acquired pathogens, increase the risks for susceptible and infected patients, and threaten the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
