Surveillance of <i>Escherichia coli</i> From Frozen Chicken Meat in Fiji: Resistance Characteristics and Public Health Concerns

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern in human and veterinary medicine. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and aquaculture are major drivers of AMR development, with resistant bacteria also being selected in livestock and transmitted through meat. Research on AMR in livestock and animal-derived foods is lacking in Fiji; thus, the associated risks remain unclear. Chicken is widely consumed in Fiji and is predominantly served frozen. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and resistance profiles of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in frozen chicken meat from Fijian supermarkets. A total of 100 frozen chicken meat samples were purchased from supermarkets and retail outlets in Fiji for this study. <i>E. coli</i> was isolated from 72% of the samples. The <i>E. coli</i> isolates showed relatively high levels of resistance to ampicillin (36%), tetracycline (24%), and streptomycin (17%). Only one cefotaxime-resistant isolate was obtained, which was identified as an extended-spectrum <i>β</i>-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacterium. This isolate harbored the ESBL-producing gene <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-1 and was classified as ST2522. One colistin-resistant isolate was obtained, and its resistance was attributed to a chromosomal mutation in the <i>pmrB</i> gene. The high level of intestinal bacterial contamination in frozen chicken meat suggests that improved hygiene management is necessary throughout the production and distribution chains. Furthermore, because resistance to antimicrobials is important in both human and veterinary medicine (cefotaxime- and colistin-resistant <i>E. coli</i>), careful monitoring of AMR trends in Fiji is essential. These results suggest that AMR surveillance in meat and livestock is necessary to prevent its spread in Fiji.