Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Fecal Coliform Isolated from Beverage Sold in Sangkhalok Community

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were: 1) to assess the microbial quantity of beverages sold in Sangkhalok community, 2) to establish the prevalence of fecal coliforms in beverages, and 3) to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of fecal coliform in beverages

Methods: Thirty-six sample beverages sold in Sangkhalok community were collected. They were tested for the presence of fecal coliforms using the multiple tubes fermentation technique (MPN). Fecal coliforms from contaminated beverages were isolated and identified by using biochemical testing. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed with eight antibiotic agents by agar disk diffusion.

Results: Of 36 samples, 50%, including ice 72.22% (13/18) and cold beverages 27.78% (5/18), were contaminated with fecal coliform at above standard level. A total 164 fecal coliforms were isolated and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.80%), Escherichia coli (31.71%), and other coliform (5.49%). Susceptibility testing against to eight antibiotic agents showed that fecal coliform were highly resistant to ampicillin (18.90%), trimethroprim/sulfamethoxazole (9.76%), ciprofloxacin (9.15%), and cefotaxime (7.32%). Seven isolates were regarded as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria. We reported the presence of multidrug resistance fecal coliforms in beverages.

Conclusion: The current study revealed that contaminated beverages accounted for upto 50% of all beverages. Ice was the most contaminated with coliforms. All hot beverages met the standard microbiological criteria. The most common coliform was identified as Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli which were multidrug resistant and ESBL-producing bacteria. This study provided data to promote awareness and to set policies to monitor for the prevention of widespread antibiotic-resistant fecal coliforms in the community