BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SURFACES OF THE FRESH FRUITS SOLD AROUND DHAKA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL AND THEIR ANTI-MICROBIAL PROFILES

Abstract

Intro: Nowadays, fresh fruits are popular sources of healthy diets with low energy density. Since they are consumed raw, it may act as a source of foodborne disease and a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant organisms. This study aimed to determine microbial prevalence among the fruits sold outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) along with their antimicrobial profiles and to detect antimicrobial resistance genes among the resistant organisms. Methods: Thirty-five different types of fruits were bought from around DMCH and analyzed for the presence of bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity was done and extended-spectrum β- lactamase (ESBL), AmpC β-lactamase, and Metallo β-lactamase (MBL) positive strains were identified by standard methods followed by PCR to detect ESBL, AmpC β-lactamase, and MBL genes. Findings: Twenty-seven different organisms were isolated and identified which were Klebsiella spp (33‧33%), Citrobacter spp (29‧64%), Enterobacter spp (22‧22%), Escherichia coli (11‧11%), and Staphylococcus aureus (3‧70%). Among them, 48‧15% of organisms were resistant to different antibiotics. Only one organism (Citrobacter spp) produced ESBL phenotypically (7‧69%). Two (15‧38%) were positive for AmpC β-lactamase and one of these (Enterobacter spp) possessed both SHV and CTX-M15A genes by PCR. Imipenem resistance was 84‧62% of the antibiotic-resistant organisms, and 10 (90‧91%) were phenotypically MBL positive by combined disc (CD) test, double disc synergy (DDS), and modified Hodge test (MHT). By PCR, one Enterobacter spp had MBL encoding gene OXA-48. Discussion: Microbiological and molecular findings observed in this study emphasized the fact that fresh fruits contaminated with pathogenic organisms can act as a transmission vehicle for human diseases. It can cause a lot of patients suffering, like a prolonged hospital stay, which ultimately inflects the treatment cost of the patients. Conclusion: Fresh fruits, contaminated with pathogens, might be a source of resistant organisms transmission and contribute to public health issues.