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

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem threatening the treatment of infectious diseases caused by <i>Escherichia coli</i>, 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 <i>Escherichia coli</i> 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. <b>Methods:</b> Standard procedures were performed to identify and isolate <i>E. coli</i> 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. <b>Results:</b> A total of 189 food samples were collected, and 100% of the samples were positive for <i>E. coli</i>, with higher percentages of contamination for vegetables and fruits. ETEC (<i>lt</i>) and UPEC (<i>vat</i>, <i>cnf1</i>, <i>hylA</i>) genes were identified in 100% of the samples and DAEC (<i>afa</i>) in 27%. <i>E. coli</i> 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 <i>tetA</i>, <i>sul1</i>, <i>catA1</i>, <i>strA</i>, <i>qnrS</i>, and <i>floR</i> were identified among the samples. <b>Conclusions:</b> 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.