Occurrence, genetic characterization and antimicrobial resistance of extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli isolated from Sürk samples, a traditional turkish cheese

This study was carried out to provide information regarding the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolated from Surk cheese samples. For this purpose, ESBL-producing E. coli strains were isolated from 87 Surk samples and isolates were screened for the common ESBL-types, presence of integrons and sul genes via PCR. All ESBL-producing E. coli strains were also allotted to phylogenetic groups and typed by PFGE. Twelve ESBL-producing E. coli (13.8 %) displayed eight distinct PFGE profiles and were exhibited resistance to tetracycline (41.7 %), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25 %), doxycycline (25 %) and chloramphenicol (16.7 %). Eleven isolates carried the bla CTX-M-15 gene (n = 7) and bla CTX-M-15 + bla TEM-1 genes (n = 4). Eleven isolates carried class1 and 2 integrons (intl1, 9 isolates and intl1 + intl2, two isolates) whereas four isolates carried sul1 (n = 2) and both sul1 + sul2 (n = 2) genes. The current study revealed a high rate of E. coli producing CTX-M-15 enzymes indicating a significant source for this organism in humans.