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Mohamed MYI, Habib I. Pathogenic E. coli in the Food Chain across the Arab Countries: A Descriptive Review. Foods 2023; 12:3726. [PMID: 37893619 PMCID: PMC10606471 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne bacterial infections caused by pathogens are a widespread problem in the Middle East, leading to significant economic losses and negative impacts on public health. This review aims to offer insights into the recent literature regarding the occurrence of harmful E. coli bacteria in the food supply of Arab countries. Additionally, it aims to summarize existing information on health issues and the state of resistance to antibiotics. The reviewed evidence highlights a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which harmful E. coli genes are present in the food supply of Arab countries. Efforts to identify the source of harmful E. coli in the Arab world through molecular characterization are limited. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have conducted few surveys specifically targeting harmful E. coli in the food supply. Despite having qualitative data that indicate the presence or absence of harmful E. coli, there is a noticeable absence of quantitative data regarding the actual numbers of harmful E. coli in chicken meat supplies across all Arab countries. While reports about harmful E. coli in animal-derived foods are common, especially in North African Arab countries, the literature emphasized in this review underscores the ongoing challenge that harmful E. coli pose to food safety and public health in Arab countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim Mohamed
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab of Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ihab Habib
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab of Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Environmental Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria P.O. Box 21511, Egypt
- ASPIRE Research Institute for Food Security in the Drylands (ARIFSID), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
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Kojok HE, Khalil M, Hage R, Jammoul R, Jammoul A, Darra NE. Microbiological and chemical evaluation of dairy products commercialized in the Lebanese market. Vet World 2022; 15:2575-2586. [PMID: 36590110 PMCID: PMC9798062 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2575-2586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cheese is considered an essential component of the Lebanese table, however, several foodborne illnesses have been reported due to cheese consumption. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and the occurrence of antibiotic and pesticide residues in two traditional Lebanese cheeses, Akkawi and Baladiyeh. In addition, drug resistance of isolated pathogens from the cheese samples was evaluated. Materials and Methods Fifty Akkawi and Baladiyeh cheese samples were obtained in duplicate from 37 different commercial brands in supermarkets and shops from various regions of Lebanon. Samples of different weights were either individually vacuum packed or soaked in brine unpacked where it was placed in plastic bag after being purchased. Samples were homogenized to determine antibiotic and pesticide residues using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and microbiological evaluation was performed according to the International Organization for Standardization reference analytical methods. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of these isolates to antibiotics. Results Microbiologically, 17% of Akkawi and 14% of Baladiyeh samples were found to be non-conforming. The bacterial isolates (n = 29) were tested for their susceptibility to 11 different antibiotics commonly prescribed in the Lebanese community or used for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria and listeriosis. Each isolate was found to be resistant to at least three antibiotics. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy analysis showed the absence of pesticide residues in all samples. However, sulfamethazine antibiotic residue was found in 14% of the samples. Conclusion The results suggest that the cheese samples tested could cause foodborne illnesses due to the detection of pathogenic bacteria and are a public health concern due to the presence of antibiotic residues and the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiyam El Kojok
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Mahmoud Khalil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Rima Hage
- Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Rola Jammoul
- Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Adla Jammoul
- Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon,Phytopharmacy Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon, Kfarchima, Lebanon
| | - Nada El Darra
- Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon,Corresponding author: Nada El Darra, e-mail: Co-authors: HE: , MK: , RH: , RJ: , AJ:
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Abboud Z, Galuppo L, Tolone M, Vitale M, Puleio R, Osman M, Loria GR, Hamze M. Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Genes of Bacterial Pathogens from Bovine and Caprine Mastitis in Northern Lebanon. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1148. [PMID: 34071800 PMCID: PMC8228836 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mastitis is an infectious disease encountered in dairy animals worldwide that is currently a growing concern in Lebanon. This study aimed at investigating the etiology of the main mastitis-causing pathogens in Northern Lebanon, determining their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and identifying their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. A total of 101 quarter milk samples were collected from 77 cows and 11 goats presenting symptoms of mastitis on 45 dairy farms. Bacterial identification was carried out through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Molecular characterization included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for genes encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC among Enterobacterales isolates, and virulence factors among Staphylococcus isolates. Escherichia coli isolates were subjected to phylogenetic typing by a quadruplex PCR method. The most frequently identified species were Streptococcus uberis (19.2%), Streptococcus agalactiae (15.1%), E. coli (12.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.96%). Gram-positive bacteria were resistant to macrolides and tetracycline, whereas gram-negative bacteria displayed resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline. Two ESBL genes, blaTEM (83.3%) and blaOXA (16.7%), and one AmpC beta-lactamase gene, blaCMY-II (16.7%), were detected among six E. coli isolates, which mainly belonged to phylogenetic group B1. Among Staphylococcus spp., the mecA gene was present in three isolates. Furthermore, four isolates contained at least one toxin gene, and all S. aureus isolates carried the ica operon. These findings revealed the alarming risk of AMR in the Lebanese dairy chain and the importance of monitoring antimicrobial usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahie Abboud
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli P.O. Box 146404, Lebanon;
| | - Lucia Galuppo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Marco Tolone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Marwan Osman
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli P.O. Box 146404, Lebanon;
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Guido Ruggero Loria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (M.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Laboratoire Microbiologie Santé et Environnement, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli P.O. Box 146404, Lebanon;
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Al-Ajmi D, Rahman S, Banu S. Occurrence, virulence genes, and antimicrobial profiles of Escherichia coli O157 isolated from ruminants slaughtered in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:210. [PMID: 32677884 PMCID: PMC7364618 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major source of food-borne illness around the world. E. coli O157 has been widely reported as the most common STEC serogroup and has emerged as an important enteric pathogen. Cattle, in particular have been identified as a major E. coli O157:H7 reservoir of human infections; however, the prevalence of this organism in camels, sheep, and goats is less understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and concentration of E. coli serotype O157 in the feces of healthy camels (n = 140), cattle (n = 137), sheep (n = 141) and goats (n = 150) slaughtered in United Arab Emirates (UAE) for meat consumption between September 2017 and August 2018. We used immunomagnetic separation coupled with a culture-plating method to detect E. coli O157. Non-sorbitol fermenting colonies were assessed via latex-agglutination testing, and positive cultures were analyzed by performing polymerase chain reactions to detect genes encoding attaching and effacing protein (eaeA), hemolysin A (hlyA, also known as ehxA) and Shiga toxin (stx1 and stx2), and E. coli O157:H7 specific genes (rfb O157, uidA, and fliC). All E. coli O157 isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to 20 selected antimicrobials. RESULTS E. coli O157 was observed in camels, goats, and cattle fecal samples at abundances of 4.3, 2, and 1.46%, respectively, but it was undetectable in sheep feces. The most prevalent E. coli O157 gene in all STEC isolates was stx2;, whereas, stx1 was not detected in any of the samples. The fecal samples from camels, goats, and cattle harbored E. coli O157 isolates that were 100% susceptible to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and polymyxin B. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of E. coli O157 in slaughter animals in the UAE. Our results clearly demonstrate the presence of E. coli O157 in slaughtered animals, which could possibly contaminate meat products intended for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawood Al-Ajmi
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafeeq Rahman
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sharmila Banu
- Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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El-Sharoud WM, Yassin MA, Ahmed SF. Molecular characterisation and stress tolerance ofEscherichia coliisolated from dairy and dried milk-related products. Int J Food Sci Technol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.12646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Walid M. El-Sharoud
- Food Safety and Microbial Physiology Laboratory; Dairy Department; Faculty of Agriculture; Mansoura University; Mansoura 35516, Dakahlia Egypt
| | - Mona A. Yassin
- Food Safety and Microbial Physiology Laboratory; Dairy Department; Faculty of Agriculture; Mansoura University; Mansoura 35516, Dakahlia Egypt
| | - Salwa F. Ahmed
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU3); PSC 452, Box 5000, FPO AE 09835-0007, El-Abassyia Cairo Egypt
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Caracterización molecular de cepas de Escherichia coli aisladas de productos lácteos artesanales elaborados en Mérida, Venezuela. INFECTIO 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.infect.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Abstract
Microbial food safety remains a major economic and public health concern in Arab countries. Over the past several years, many of these countries have attempted to revise and upgrade food quality control and surveillance programs; however, these systems vary in scope and effectiveness. This review addresses the major reported foodborne outbreaks and multidrug resistance of pathogenic microorganisms isolated from food products. Major foodborne pathogens of concern included Brucella spp., Clostridium botulinum, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Measures for managing microbial food hazards based on a comprehensive risk analysis also are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabih Kamleh
- Environmental Health Department, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Molecular identification and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from sheep faeces samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00580-010-1134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Harakeh S, Saleh I, Zouhairi O, Baydoun E, Barbour E, Alwan N. Antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from dairy-based food products. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2009; 407:4022-4027. [PMID: 19427675 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/07/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this study Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was isolated from three traditionally consumed Lebanese dairy-based food products. One hundred and sixty four samples (45 samples of Baladi cheese, 36 samples of Shankleesh and 83 of Kishk) were collected from the Bekaa Valley in the Northeast region of Lebanon. Suspected Listeria colonies were selected and initially identified by using standard biochemical tests. Initial identification of the positive L. monocytogenes colonies was confirmed at the molecular level by Polymerase Chain Reaction (n=30) and the confirmed isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to 10 commonly used antimicrobials. All of the 30 isolates were confirmed to be L. monocytogenes yielding a PCR product of approximately 660 base pairs (bp). L. monocytogenes was detected in 26.67%, 13.89% and 7.23% of the Baladi cheese, Shankleesh and Kishk samples, respectively. The highest resistance in L. monocytogenes isolates was noted against oxacillin (93.33%) followed by penicillin (90%). The results provide an indication of the contamination levels of dairy-based foods in Lebanon and highlight the emergence of multi-drug resistant Listeria in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Harakeh
- Biology Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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