Ahmed et al. characterize ESBL-producing E. coli from 250 retail meat samples (duck, camel, beef, chicken) and 100 retail worker samples in Egypt, and test silver nanoparticles combined with hydrogen peroxide (AgNPs-H2O2) as a bactericidal intervention against the multidrug-resistant isolates recovered.
Key numbers
- ESBL-producing E. coli prevalence: duck meat and workers’ hand swabs 81.1%; camel meat 61.5% (abstract).
- REP-PCR genotyping showed 100% similarity between human and meat isolates within the same cluster, indicating zoonotic transmission risk (abstract).
- Average multiple antibiotic resistance index: 0.7 across all isolates; all isolates classified as multidrug resistant (abstract).
- AgNPs-H2O2 concentrations achieving complete bacterial growth inhibition: 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/mL (abstract).
- Most prevalent virulence gene: Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) in 36.9% of isolates; stx1 not detected (abstract).
Methods (brief)
ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated using selective media, confirmed by double-disk synergy test, and characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, virulotyping by multiplex PCR, pathotyping, and REP-PCR genotyping. AgNPs-H2O2 were tested by broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentration assay (abstract).
Evidence fitness
Provides ESBL E. coli prevalence and genotypic data from retail meat in Egypt, with silver nanoparticle treatment efficacy data. Silver is the proposed antimicrobial, not a food contaminant or dietary hazard measured in the meat. The study characterizes meat as a vehicle for drug-resistant pathogen transmission rather than as a matrix for silver measurement.
Limitations
Egyptian retail meat context; duck and camel meat proportions may not reflect prevalence in other markets. AgNPs-H2O2 efficacy was tested in vitro; translation to food decontamination applications requires additional safety and regulatory assessment, including silver residue analysis in treated food.
Related evidence
Update history
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