ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT ESCHERICHIA-COLI ISOLATED FROM CHILLED MEAT AT RETAIL OUTLETS

Antibiotic resistance was investigated in Escherichia coli isolated from beef, veal, lamb and pork at retail level. A total of 100 samples from each meat species was examined. About 16% of the 400 samples were contaminated with resistant E. coli. Significantly more E. coli isolates from pork were drug-resistant than isolates from other meats(P < 0.01). About 7% of the combined beef, veal, and lamb E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics compared to about 40.0% of the pork isolates (P < 0.01) Transfer of resistance was observed for 39.2% of multiple resistant isolates. The results presented form a base for future monitoring of the presence of antibiotic-resistant coliforms on meat suitable for human consumption.