Multidrug Resistance and Identification of ESBL Genes among Enteric Organisms from Kitchen Wastes

Abstract

Background: Kitchen and food wastes are unavoidable by-products of human activities, primarily generated during the preparation, cooking, and consumption of food and it is increasingly being recognized as one of the most important areas with regards to the incidences of foodborne diseases. Aim: The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify enteric organisms from kitchen and food waste in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, determine their antibiogram and identify the ESBL antibiotic resistance genes contained in these organisms. Methodology: Sixty samples were aseptically collected from domestic kitchens, restaurant waste bins, and local food markets and identified based on standard morphological and biochemical identification techniques. The antibiogram was assessed using the disk diffusion method and identification of ESBL genes were achieved using PCR identification methodology. Results: The enteric organisms were identified as: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp. and Salmonella sp, while Escherichia coli and Enterobacter sp. were identified as predominant. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. exhibited higher multidrug resistance to the test antibiotics than the other organisms. The presence of ESBL gene blaTEM and blaSHV were identified only in Escherichia coli, while the others were negative. Conclusion: The high prevalence of enteric bacteria and their resistance to multiple antibiotics in kitchen waste underscore the need for improved waste management and hygiene practices to mitigate public health risks and AMR spread.