ONE HEALTH: ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA CONTAMINATION IN FRESH VEGETABLES SOLD AT A RETAIL MARKETS IN KYIV, UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim: To obtain the first estimates data on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a wide range of fresh vegetables available in the Kyiv city markets. Materials and methods: We performed a multicenter study. Fresh vegetables samples were collected of the six different commodity groups from eleven of retail stores locatedin Kyiv, Ukraine. Samples were tested for up to eight bacteria of concern. The susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Results: The antibiotic-resistant bacteria contamination in the fresh vegetables was 24.3%. The contamination among organic produce was significantly higher than in conventionally products. Contamination was found to be higher in leafy vegetables. The predominant contaminated bacteria were: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. And Enterococcus faecalis, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. faecium, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter spp. The overall proportion of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among Enterobacteriaceae was 36.8% and of methicillin-resistance in S. aureus (MRSA) 10.7%. The prevalence of ESBL production among E. coli isolates was significantly higher than in K. pneumoniae. Vancomycin resistance was observed in 3.1% of isolated enterococci (VRE). Carbapenem resistance was identified in 35.3% of P.aeruginosa isolates and 66.8% of Acinetibacter spp. isolates. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed in 9.7% K. pneumoniae and E.coli in 14.2% isolates. Conclusions: Research has shown that the majority of fresh vegetables available in Kiev markets is contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and is a potential vehicle for the transmission of these pathogens to consumers.