Presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistance in ready-to-eat stuffed mussels in Istanbul.

Foodborne pathogens' transmission is essential in the spread of antibiotic resistance, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli especially threatens public health. E. coli plays an essential role in the resistance to commonly used beta-lactam group antibiotics. Ready-to-eat (RTE) stuffed mussels are among many restaurants and street vendors, presenting potential health risks of food hygiene origin. 200 RTE stuffed mussels were collected from the Asian and European sides of Istanbul and analysed for the presence of E. coli. As a result of PCR analysis, E. coli was detected in 7 (3.5%) samples. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method to determine ESBL and carbapenem resistance. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin. The double-disk synergy test was performed as an ESBL phenotypic confirmation test, and no phenotypically ESBL-producing E. coli were detected. The bla _TEM gene was detected in one isolate (14.2%) by mPCR, but bla _CTX-M, bla _SHV, and bla _OXA genes were not observed. Meropenem and imipenem were used with the disk diffusion method for carbapenem resistance study, and no resistant isolate was found. Carbapenem resistance genes were investigated by monoplex PCR, and bla _NDM-1, bla _OXA-48, bla _VIM, and bla _IMP resistance genes were not detected. This is the first report on ESBL-producing E. coli in RTE stuffed mussels in Türkiye, which draws attention to a public health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]