Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Escherichia coli O157 Isolated from Beef and Poultry Meat in Khartoum State, Sudan

Escherichia coli O157 is a major food-borne pathogen transmitted by consuming contaminated food and water. This study was conducted between January and April 2021 on 400 samples of beef and poultry meat to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli O157 in Khartoum State, according to the methods of ISO 16654 and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The overall presence rate was found to be 1.7% (7/400). Two isolates were recovered from 200 beef meat samples (1%) and five isolates from 200 poultry meat samples (2.5%). All isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but all were resistant to ampicillin (100%). Six isolates (85.7%) showed resistance to tetracycline, and five (71.4%) to gentamicin. Three isolates (42.8%) showed intermediate sensitivity to ceftazidime, and others (42.8%) were resistant to it. Six isolates (85.5%) showed multiple drug resistance (MDR). This study revealed the presence of resistant isolates in beef and poultry meat. To reduce the incidence of foodborne E. coli O157 species and antimicrobial resistance in Khartoum State, scientists and public health researchers need to know that E. coli O157 is present in beef and poultry meat in the region.