Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from chilled meat at retail outlets

Authors: Bothmann FP, Bensink JC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 4, pp 126-128, Dec 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Antibiotics, Treatment/therapy, Bacterial, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Meat, Contamination/hygiene, Public health, Zoonosis
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Antibiotic resistance was investigated in Eschericia Coli isolated from beef, veal, lamb and pork at retail level. A total of 100 samples from each meat species was examined. About 16% of the 400 samples were contaminated with resistant E.coli. Significantly more E.coli isolates from pork were drug-resistant than isolates from other meats (P<0.01). About 7% of the combined beef, veal, and lamb E.coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics compared to about 40.0% of the pork isolates (P<0.01) Transfer of resistance was observed for 39.2% of multiple resistant isolates. The results presented form a base for future monitoring of the presence of antibiotic-resistant coliforms on meat suitable for human consumption.

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