Intestinal and Extraintestinal Pathotypes of Escherichia coli Are Prevalent in Food Prepared and Marketed on the Streets from the Central Zone of Mexico and Exhibit a Differential Phenotype of Resistance Against Antibiotics

abstract

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem threatening the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Escherichia coli, the main source of food contamination and responsible for many infectious diseases with high indices of AR profiles. Our objective was to study the presence of Escherichia coli in foods that are distributed and prepared on the street, characterizing its sensitivity profile and resistance to antibiotic drugs commonly prescribed in this geographical area. Methods: Standard procedures were performed to identify and isolate E. coli colonies from food samples collected during a three-year study. Susceptibility assays were conducted to determine the antibiotic resistance profile, and Colony PCR assays were performed to determine the pathogenic and antibiotic resistance genes. Results: A total of 189 food samples were collected, and 100% of the samples were positive for E. coli, with higher percentages of contamination for vegetables and fruits. ETEC (lt) and UPEC (vat, cnf1, hylA) genes were identified in 100% of the samples and DAEC (afa) in 27%. E. coli exhibited high percentages of resistance against ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (100%) and cephalexin (45%). The most effective antibiotics were tetracycline, TMP-SMX, polymyxin, and quinolones. The AR genes tetA, sul1, catA1, strA, qnrS, and floR were identified among the samples. Conclusions: Food prepared and marketed on the streets seriously threatens human health. Ampicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid should not be used to treat infections caused by the multidrug-resistant ETEC and UPEC identified in this area. To our knowledge, this is the first study that explores the status of AR in this geographical area. © 2025 by the authors.