Assessment of the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in eggshells and ready-to-eat products

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011 Sep;30(9):1045-7. doi: 10.1007/s10096-011-1168-3. Epub 2011 Jul 14.

Abstract

The principal objective of this study was to assess whether chicken eggshells may be contaminated by ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBLC). Additional analyses were carried out to determine if ESBLEC could be detected in other foodstuffs such as cooked poultry or fresh vegetables. Seventy-two eggshells from different supermarkets and stores as well as 32 salads, 30 samples of cooked poultry and six samples of chicken-based pet food samples were analysed. Characterization of ESBL was performed by PCR and sequencing. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by disk diffusion method. Phylogenetic group was assigned by multiplex-PCR. No ESBLEC was isolated from chicken eggshells, cooked chicken and pet food. One SHV-12-producing E. coli was isolated from a salad sample. This is the first study to analyse chicken eggs in an area where there is a high prevalence of ESBLEC in retail chicken meat.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Eggs / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Meat / microbiology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Poultry / microbiology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Vegetables / microbiology
  • beta-Lactamases / biosynthesis*
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactamases