Antibiotic Resistance of the Pathogenic E. coli Isolates in the Food Samples Collected from the Government's Primary Schools, Kombo Central District, The Gambia

Antimicrobial-resistant infections cause the death of approximately 700,000 people annually around the world, and this rate is predicted to reach 10 million by 2050. The study aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance of the pathogenic E coli isolate in the food samples collected from the government’s primary schools Kombo Central District. A cross-sectional study design was used, and 104 food samples were collected using the aseptic method. These food samples were analyzed in the laboratory using biochemical methods to assess the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli. Antibiotic resistance testing was performed on these isolated pathogenic E. coli using the Kirby‑Bauer disk diffusion method. The E. coli isolates were 100 % resistant to Penicillin G, Cefotaxime, and Oxacillin and 80 % resistant to Amoxycillin/Clavulanic acid. Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim was the most effective antibiotic, followed by Tetracycline. The prevalence of ESBL-Producing E. coli was 80% and all the tested isolates had multidrug-resistant abilities. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the 10 pathogenic E. coli tested in this study, Tetracycline and Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim should thus be considered encouraging antimicrobial agents in treated E. coli infections in the Gambia.