STUDY ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF PROBIOTICS RECOVERED FROM PRODUCTS IN THE EGYPTIAN MARKET (RSPM 2.1)

Abstract

Probiotics have proven its efficacy in improving digestion, prevention of colon cancer and improving lactose intolerance. However, throughout the last decade the emerging crisis of antibiotic resistance arouse and threatened the use of probiotic, since their ability to act as reservoir for transferable antibiotic resistance genes. This study aims at identification and characterization of the transmissible antibiotic resistance genes in lactobacillus sp. isolated from products in the Egyptian Market. Twenty four dairy products were collected from factories, and milk shops then Lactobacillus sp. were isolated from samples on MRS agar. The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was measured by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and erythromycin by microbroth dilution method. Twenty four Lactobacillus sp. isolates were recovered from samples including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei. Lactobacillus sp. isolates showed highest resistance towards chloramphenicol followed by erythromycin and tetracycline. Tetracycline resistance was higher in dairy products from factories 33% (4/12) than those obtained from milk shops 30 % (3/10). The chloramphenicol resistance transferable gene (cat) was detected in (5/22) 22.7% of chloramphenicol resistant isolates; Transferable erythromycin resistance genes (ermB) and (ermC) genes were detected in (3/13) 23% and (6/13) 46.15 % of erythromycin resistant isolates. The prevalence of tetracycline resistance genes tet M, tet O, tet W, tet K, and tet L genes were 28.5%, 14.28%, 14.28%, 14.28 % and 14.28% and (int) genees responsible for transposon mediated transfer is detected accompanying (tetM) in L.casei isolated from raw cow milk , respectively. In conclusion, Lactobacillus sp. in Egyptian dairy products can act as a potential reservoir for antibiotic resistance gene which highlights the importance of screening these beneficial bacteria for antibiotic resistance and minimizing antibiotic consumption in dairy animals.