Phenotypic characterization and incidence of pathogenic coliform bacteria and multidrug resistant E. coli species isolated from different meat and meat products in Qalubia Governorate.

The occurrence of foodborne pathogens in meat and meat products poses health risks to humans and leads to economic losses for producers from product recalls. This study aimed to isolate and identify pathogenic coliforms, including Escherichia coli, Citrobacter and Enterobacter from meat and meat products using conventional culture methods. In addition to the serological identification of E. coli isolates. A total of one hundred (n=100) random samples of meat products including 10 from each {minced meat, kofta, sausage, luncheon, burger, bastrma, frankfurter, liver, chicken and Shawarma meat} which were collected from Benha markets in El-Qalubia Governorate, for coliform bacteria examination. Furthermore, Antimicrobial resistance was tested against seven different classes of antibiotics. The results indicated that coliform isolates from meat products included 10/100E.coli 6/100 Citrobacter and 5/100Enterobacter. The antibiotic sensitivity test revealed strong sensitivity to Imipenem and Gentamicin alongside significant resistance to cefotaxime, levofloxacin, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, erythromycin and trimethoprim and sulfonamide (multidrug resistance). Additionally, the 10 isolates of E. coli were identified serologically as: O55:K59, O125:K10, O142:K86, O55:K99, O26:K60, O119:K69, O114:K40, O145: K-, O78:K80 and one un typable isolate.