MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF PATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI IN READY-TO-EAT GAME MEAT AND FRESH PRODUCE FROM SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) game meat and fresh produce has increased and it serves as a very important part of human diet. Foodborne diseases linked to contaminated RTE game meat and fresh produce is a public health concern. This study investigated the pathogenic E. coli in these RTE foods sold in various cities in south western, Nigeria. The identification of E. coli were performed using sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC) and molecular characterization of virulence genes. The Kirk-Bauer disk diffusion test was used to determine antibiotics susceptibility tests of the E. coli strains. A total of 55 samples RTE game meat and 11 samples of fresh produce were analyzed for pathogenic E.coli. All thirty (30) isolates from fresh produce were identified as potential pathogenic E. coli. Further identification with multiplex PCR revealed that four of the isolates were positive based on the band size (as compared with the predicted band size) which directly linked them to potential pathotypes. Overall, 4 out of 30 isolates coded for 3 genes which are; Vtx 1 coded for verotoxigenic E. coli while estA porcine and human estA coded for enterotoxigenic E.coli. It was observed that the total viable count for E.coli from game meat and fresh produce were respectively high. The isolates were confirmed using multiplex PCR for the game meat and using simplex PCR to determine the ESBL of the fresh produce. The presence of E.coli in RTE game meat and fresh produce in south western part of Nigeria poses publc health concerns which could lead to food borne illness.