ABSTRACT

 This study was carried out to determine the antibiotics resistant pattern of Escherichia coli isolated from vegetable wash water (cabbage, carrot, and garden egg). From this study, a total of thirty (30) samples were obtained from different markets in Umuahia, Abia State. These samples were processed, analyzed and cultured on Nutrient agar and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar using spread plate method. The isolates were identified using standard microbiological protocol while the antibiotics susceptibility test was done using Modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion techniques. • ■ Commercially impregnated discs consisting of twelve antibiotics includes; Ceftriazone (45ug), Cefotaxime (25ug). Cefuroxime (30ug), Cefexime (5ug), Imipenem/Cilastatin (10/10ug), Gentamicin (lOug). Levofloxacin (5ug), Ofloxacin (5ug), Nalidixic acid (30ug), Amoxicillin Clavulanate (30ug), Nitrofuratoin (300ug) and Ampilox (lOug). The ESBL production was phenotypically determined using the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) break point • and confirmed using double disc synergy test. From this study the prevalence of E. coli in the vegetable wash water was 36.6%. The result from the antibiotics susceptibility pattern showed , .. that the E. coli isolates were highly susceptible to Ofloxacin (45.6%), Gentamicin (72.7%) and Nalidixic Acid (45.6%) while being highly resistant to Amoxicillin, cefotaxime, Imipenem, ceftriazone. ampiclox, cefuroxime, levofloxacin and cefaxime. The highest intermediate susceptibility was recorded by Nalidixic Acid (45.6%). The isolates exhibited different resistivity pattern with most ofthe isolate having a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR Index) ofmore than 0.2. The phenotypic screening of Escherichia coli isolates from the vegetable wash water based I on CLSI breakpoint revealed that only 8(26.6%) of the isolates were suspected to be potential ESBL producers, while only 1(12.5%) of the isolates was confirmed as ESBL producer. Based on the findings in this study, it can be concluded that vegetables (carrot, cabbage and garden eggs) sold in LJmuahia metropolis, Nigeria, is contaminated with important bacterial food-borne pathogens such as E. coli. Hence, the consumption of these products may constitute serious public health concerns ifnot correctly quality controlled