Food safety knowledge and practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial content of raw meat sold at Kumasi Abattoir Butchery Shops in Kumasi, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne diseases affect nearly 600 million people each year, that is, one in every ten people, and their outbreaks are most common in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. This study investigated the food safety practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the meat from the butchery shops in Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study and collected quantitative data on factors associated with food safety and hygienic practices among raw meat handlers and the microbial quality of the raw meat using a structured questionnaire and standard laboratory methods, respectively. The study used all 50 beef vending shops in the butchery for questionnaire aspect and fresh beef samples were obtained from 10 vendors in the butchery shop. Appropriate methods were followed to analyse questionnaire data and meat samples. RESULTS: Most of the butchers (72%) were between the ages of 31 and 45, and they were predominantly Muslims (68%). Most of the respondents (48%) had basic education. All the respondents had food safety certificates from the local authority but needed adequate knowledge of meat safety. Most respondents (90%) handled meat and money with the same bare hands, thus contaminating the meat. The study showed that the maximum Total Viable Count (TVC), Total Staphylococcus Count (TSC), and Total Escherichia coli Count (TEC) were 5.60, 4.39 and 5.13 cfu/g, respectively. The study also revealed that all the meat samples were Salmonella species-free. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms in raw beef indicate a public health hazard. It gives a signal of a possible occurrence of food-borne intoxication and infection if not controlled. Environmental health officers in the Greater Kumasi area should organize food safety training and educate raw meat handlers on the importance of food safety and its consequences.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of E. coli Isolates from Lettuce, Poultry Manure, Irrigation Water, and Soil in Kumasi, Ghana.

Inputs such as irrigation water and poultry manure used in lettuce cultivation have been found to be associated with antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The study assessed the antibiotic resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolated from lettuce, poultry manure, irrigation water, and soil in Kumasi. One hundred and fifty-six samples of lettuce, irrigation water, soil, and manure were collected from three farms over a seven-week cultivation period (seedlings to harvest stage). E. coli were enumerated using standard methods. 98% of the samples were positive for E. coli. Geometric means for lettuce, irrigation water, and soil ranged from 2.0 × 105 to 1.67 × 107 MPN/100 ml while that of manure ranged from 2.0 × 105 to 1.31 × 107 MPN/100 ml. Generally, the microbial load of all parameters on all farms across the weeks was significant and exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) standard recommendations for food. Using the Kirby Bauer method, antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed against 225 biochemically confirmed E. coli with twelve antibiotics. Relatively high resistance was recorded for some members of the beta-lactam class: meropenem: 94.2%, ampicillin: 91.9%, cefuroxime: 95.1%, ceftriaxone: 94.7%, and cefotaxime: 94.2%. Eighty of the isolates were screened for extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) production using cefotaxime (CTX) and cefotaxime/clavulanic acid (CTX/CLA) discs and three showed positive: one each from poultry manure, irrigation water, and soil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of blaCTX-M gene. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in vegetables and their production environment is alarming and poses serious health threats to the general public. The presence of blaCTX-M gene in E. coli from a vegetable production site recorded for the first time in Ghana requires enforcement by regulatory bodies on the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the country.

Demographic and socio-economic factors affecting bed net ownership, usage, and malaria transmission among adult patients seeking healthcare in two Ghanaian urban cities.

BACKGROUND: The most cost-effective malaria prevention and control strategy is the use of a bed net. However, several factors affect the ownership and usage of bed nets among the adult population. Hence, this study aimed to examine socio-demographic factors affecting bed net ownership, usage and malaria transmission among adult patients seeking healthcare in two Ghanaian urban cities. METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted, between January and September 2021, at Bremang Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital, Suame Municipal, Ashanti Region and Sunyani Municipal Hospital, Sunyani, Bono Region, Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to a total of 550 participants to ascertain their ownership and usage of the bed nets. Afterwards, finger prick blood samples were collected for malaria microscopy. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95% CIs were calculated, using Poisson regression with robust standard errors, to show associated variables in bivariate and multivariate analyses respectively. R software (version 4.1.1) was used to perform all statistical analyses. RESULTS: About 53.3% (n = 293) of participants owned at least one-bed net but only 21.5% (n = 118) slept under it the previous night. Those married were 2.0 (95% CI: 1.6 - 2.5) and 2.4 (95% CI: 1.6 - 3.5) times more likely to own and use a bed net respectively than those who never married. Also, pregnant women were 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1 - 1.6) and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3 - 2.5) times more likely to own and use a bed net respectively than non-pregnant. Even though income levels were not associated with bed net ownership and usage, students were 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2 - 0.6) and 0.2 (95% CI: 0.1 - 0.5) times less likely to own and use bed net respectively compared to formally employed persons. The overall malaria prevalence rate was 7.8%. Malaria-negative patients were 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2 - 2.0) and 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4 - 4.1) times more likely to own and use bed nets respectively than malaria positive. Patients with tertiary education recorded the lowest malaria prevalence (3.5%, n = 4). None of those with a monthly income > $300 recorded a case of malaria. On the contrary, majority 83%, n/N = 25/30) of the malaria-positive patients earned ≤ $150. CONCLUSION: The National Malaria Control Program should conduct comprehensive mapping of all urban population segments before launching mass bed net distribution campaigns, taking into account demographic and socioeconomic factors to enhance bed net utilization and reduce malaria prevalence.

Antibiotic-Resistant Arcobacter spp. in commercial and smallholder farm animals in Asante Akim North Municipality, Ghana and Korogwe Town Council, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Arcobacter species are considered emerging foodborne pathogens that can potentially cause serious infections in animals and humans. This cross-sectional study determined the frequency of potentially pathogenic Arcobacter spp. in both commercial and smallholder farm animals in Ghana and Tanzania. A total of 1585 and 1047 (poultry and livestock) samples were collected in Ghana and Tanzania, respectively. Selective enrichment media, along with oxidase and Gram testing, were employed for isolation of suspected Arcobacter spp. and confirmation was done using MALDI-TOF MS. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed through disk diffusion method and ECOFFs were generated, for interpretation, based on resulting inhibition zone diameters. RESULTS: The overall Arcobacter frequency was higher in Ghana (7.0%, n = 111) than in Tanzania (2.0%, n = 21). The frequency of Arcobacter in commercial farms in Ghana was 10.3% (n/N = 83/805), while in Tanzania, it was 2.8% (n/N = 12/430). Arcobacter was detected in only 3.6% (n/N = 28/780) of the samples from smallholder farms in Ghana and 1.5% (n/N = 9/617) of the samples from Tanzania. For commercial farms, in Ghana, the presence of Arcobacter was more abundant in pigs (45.1%, n/N = 37/82), followed by ducks (38.5%, n/N = 10/26) and quails (35.7%, n/N = 10/28). According to MALDI-TOF-based species identification, Arcobacter butzleri (91.6%, n/N = 121/132), Arcobacter lanthieri (6.1%, n/N = 8/132), and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (2.3%, n/N = 3/132) were the only three Arcobacter species detected at both study sites. Almost all of the Arcobacter from Ghana (98.2%, n/N = 109/111) were isolated during the rainy season. The inhibition zone diameters recorded for penicillin, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol allowed no determination of an epidemiological cut-off value. However, the results indicated a general resistance to these three antimicrobials. Multidrug resistance was noted in 57.1% (n/N = 12/21) of the Arcobacter isolates from Tanzania and 45.0% (n/N = 50/111) of those from Ghana. The type of farm (commercial or smallholder) and source of the sample (poultry or livestock) were found to be associated with multi-drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS: The high levels of MDR Arcobacter detected from farms in both countries call for urgent attention and comprehensive strategies to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens.

Salmonella enterica in farm environments in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica are important foodborne pathogens and the third leading cause of death among diarrheal infections worldwide. This cross-sectional study investigated the frequency of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica in commercial and smallholder farm environments in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A total of 1490 environmental samples, comprising 800 (53.7%) soil (from poultry, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle farms), 409 (27.4%) pooled poultry fecal and 281 (18.9%) dust (from poultry farms) samples, were collected from 30 commercial and 64 smallholder farms. All samples were processed using standard culture methods. Isolates were identified by biochemical methods and confirmed using the VITEK 2 System. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by disk diffusion following the EUCAST guidelines. Serotyping was performed using the Kauffman White Le Minor Scheme. RESULTS: The overall Salmonella frequency was 6.0% (n/N = 90/1490); the frequency varied according to the type of sample collected and included: 8.9% for dust (n/N = 25/281), 6.5% for soil (n/N = 52/800) and 3.2% for pooled poultry fecal samples (n/N = 13/409). Salmonella was also recovered from commercial farm environments (8.6%, n/N = 68/793) than from smallholder farms (3.2%, n/N = 22/697) (PR = 2.7, CI: 1.7 - 4.4). Thirty-four different Salmonella serovars were identified, the two most common being Rubislaw (27.8%, n/N = 25/90) and Tamale (12.2%, n/N = 11/90). Serovar diversity was highest in strains from soil samples (70.6%, n/N = 24/34) compared to those found in the dust (35.2%, n/N = 12/34) and in fecal samples (29.4%, n/N = 10/34). Salmonella frequency was much higher in the rainy season (8.4%, n/N = 85/1007) than in the dry season (1.0%, n/N = 5/483) (PR = 8.4, 95% CI: 3.3 - 20.0). Approximately 14.4% (n/N = 13/90) of the isolates were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobials, with 84.6% (n/N = 11/13) being resistant to multiple antibiotics. All Salmonella Kentucky (n = 5) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSION: This study showed that farm environments represent an important reservoir for antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, which warrants monitoring and good husbandry practices, especially in commercial farms during the rainy season, to control the spread of this pathogen.

Carriage of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli among children in rural Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) and Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) present a high burden in both communities and healthcare sectors, leading to difficult-to-treat infections. Data on intestinal carriage of ESBL-KP and ESBL-EC in children is scarce, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. We provide data on faecal carriage, phenotypic resistance patterns, and gene variation of ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP among children in the Agogo region of Ghana. METHODS: From July to December 2019, fresh stool samples were collected within 24 h from children < 5 years with and without diarrhoea attending the study hospital. The samples were screened for ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP on ESBL agar and confirmed using double-disk synergy testing. Bacterial identification and an antibiotic susceptibility profile were performed using the Vitek 2 compact system (bioMérieux, Inc.). ESBL genes, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaTEM were identified by PCR and further sequencing. RESULTS: Of the 435 children recruited, stool carriage of ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP was 40.9% (n/N = 178/435) with no significant difference in prevalence between children with diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea. No association between ESBL carriage and the age of the children was found. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin and susceptible to meropenem and imipenem. Both ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP isolates showed over 70% resistance to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Multidrug resistance was observed in over 70% in both ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP isolates. The blaCTX-M-15 was the most prevalent ESBL gene detected. blaCTX-M-27, blaCTX-M-14, and blaCTX-M-14b were found in non-diarrhoea stools of children, whereas blaCTX-M-28 was found in both the diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage of ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP among children with and without diarrhoea in the Agogo community with a high prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 is noteworthy, highlighting the importance of both the population as a possible reservoir. This study reports for the first time the ESBL gene blaCTX-M-28 among the studied populations in Ghana.

Prevalence, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Domestic Free-Range Poultry in Agogo, Ghana.

Poultry has been suggested as an important source for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria that can lead to difficult-to treat infections in humans. Therefore, this study aims to determine the frequency, the genetics, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in domestic free-range poultry in Agogo, Ghana. The study was set up and piloted from January 2019 until June 2019. Between June and December 2019, fecal samples (N = 144) were collected from free-roaming chickens from domestic farms in the regions of Sukuumu, Bontodiase, and Freetown and cultured on ESBL screening agar. Strain identification and antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 compact system. ESBL-producing E. coli were confirmed using the double disk synergy test. Molecular characterization of ESBL-associated genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M) were performed using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further sequencing of obtained PCR amplicons. The result showed that 56.2% (n/N = 81/144) of collected fecal samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli. Majority of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline (93.8%, n/N = 76/81) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.7, n/N = 54/81), whereas resistance to carbapenems was not found. The majority of ESBL-producing E. coli carried the blaCTX-M genes, with blaCTX-M-15 being the dominant (95.1%, n/N = 77/81) genotype. In this study, we report high frequencies of ESBL-producing E. coli in smallholder free-range poultry representing a potential source of infection, highlighting the need for control of antibiotic use and animal hygiene/sanitation measures, both important from a One Health perspective.

Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni in commercial and smallholder farm animals in the Asante Akim North Municipality of Ghana.

Worldwide, farm animals, in particular poultry, are an important reservoir for Campylobacter spp. However, information on Campylobacter colonization in farm animals in Africa is scarce. Hence, this cross-sectional study determined antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter from both commercial and smallholder farm animals in the Asante Akim North Municipality of Ghana. Fecal samples from poultry and livestock kept by commercial and smallholder farms were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The overall Campylobacter frequency was 20.3% (n/N = 322/1,585), and frequencies detected were similarly high in isolates from commercial (21.0%, n/N = 169/805) and smallholder (19.6%, n/N = 153/780) farms. Species isolated were C. coli (67.7%, n/N = 218/322) and C. jejuni (32.3%, n/N = 104/322). However, the frequency of C. coli was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.8-2.5) times higher than what was found for C. jejuni. Campylobacter frequencies in the rainy season was 22.2% (n/N = 258/1,160) and 15.1% (n/N = 64/425) in the dry season (prevalence ratio = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.2-1.9). About 1.7% (n/N = 6/322) of the Campylobacter isolates, all from smallholder farms, were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Multidrug resistance was observed for 4.7% (n/N = 15/322) of the Campylobacter isolates, of which 93.3% (n/N = 14/15) occurred in isolates from commercial farms. This study highlights the need for the implementation of control programs, in commercial farming but also at the smallholder farm level, to formulate clear guidelines aimed at decreasing Campylobacter contamination of meat products and reducing the use of antibiotics in the farming sector.

Risk assessment of heavy metals concentration in cereals and legumes sold in the Tamale Aboabo market, Ghana.

The greatest risks posed by heavy metals to human health are linked to exposure to hazardous metals, which may be present in staple foods such as cereals and legumes. In this study, the levels of harmful metals and vital minerals like cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and copper (As) in certain cereals and legumes sold in Tamale Aboabo Market in the Northern Region of Ghana were evaluated. A total of twenty-one (21) samples were randomly selected, digested, and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The samples included three each of cowpea, groundnuts, and soybean (AAS). As concentrations varied from 0.017 mg/kg, Cd concentration was undetectable, Cu concentrations ranged from 0.019 to 0.042 mg/kg, and Zn concentrations were low. The levels of As in the legumes and grains were higher than the 0015 mg/kg FAO/WHO guideline limit. According to the study, there is a risk associated with consuming any of the cereal and legume crops offered in the Tamale Aboabo market that contain any amount of As. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and runoff from other agricultural fields may have contributed to the higher levels in the cereals. The hazard index via ingestion values for both adults and children were found to be less than 1, indicating no need for potential non-carcinogenic concern. Generally, there is no cancer risk with consumption of the cereals and legumes in terms of all the metals investigated.

Clinical characteristics of external bacterial ocular and periocular infections and their antimicrobial treatment patterns among a Ghanaian ophthalmic population.

Empirical antimicrobial therapy is linked to a surge in antimicrobial resistant infections. However, an insight on the bacteria etiology of ocular infections is essential in the appropriation of choice of antimicrobial among clinicians, yet there remains a dearth of data from Ghana. We investigated the bacteria etiology of external ocular and periocular infections and antimicrobial treatment patterns among a Ghanaian ophthalmic population. A multicenter study design with purposive sampling approach was employed. Patients demographics and clinical data were collated using a pretested structure questionnaire. Cornea specimens and conjunctival swabs were obtained for bacterial isolation following standard protocols. About 95% (98/103) of ocular samples were positive for bacteria culture. The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria was 58.2%, and the predominant bacteria species were Pseudomonas aeruginosa 38.8% and Staphylococcus aureus 27.6%. Conjunctivitis 40.0% and keratitis 75.0% were mostly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The routinely administered antimicrobial therapy were polymyxin B 41.2%, neomycin 35.1% and ciprofloxacin 31.6%. Participants demographic and clinical characteristics were unrelated with positive bacteria culture (p > 0.05). Our results showed a markedly high burden of ocular bacterial infections and variations in etiology. Bacterial infection-control and antimicrobial agent management programs should be urgently institutionalized to prevent the emergence of resistant infections.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance in Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Humans and Food-Producing Animals in West Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Campylobacter species are one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in humans. This review reports on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance data of Campylobacter spp. isolated from humans and food-producing animals in West Africa. A systematic search was carried out in five databases for original articles published between January 2000 and July 2021. Among 791 studies found, 38 original articles from seven (41%) out of the 17 countries in West Africa met the inclusion criteria. For studies conducted in food-producing animals, the overall pooled prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 34% (95% CI: 25-45). The MDR prevalence was 59% (95% CI: 29-84) and half (50%, 13/26) of the animal studies had samples collected from the market. The human studies recorded a lower pooled prevalence of Campylobacter spp. (10%, 95% CI: 6-17), but a considerably higher rate of MDR prevalence (91%; 95% CI: 67-98). The majority (85%, 11/13) of the human studies took place in a hospital. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were the most common species isolated from both animals and humans. Our findings suggest that Campylobacter spp. is highly prevalent in West Africa. Therefore, improved farm hygiene and 'One Health' surveillance systems are needed to reduce transmission.

Molecular epidemiology and drug susceptibility profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from Northern Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the five administrative regions of Northern Ghana to determine the diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) sub/lineages and their susceptibility to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). METHODS: Sputum specimens were collected and cultured from 566 pulmonary tuberculosis patients reporting to 17 health facilities from 2015 to 2019. Mycobacterial isolates obtained from solid cultures were confirmed as members of the MTBC by PCR amplification of IS6110 and rpoß and assigned lineages and sub-lineages using spoligotyping. RESULTS: Of 294 mycobacterial isolates recovered, MTBC species identified were: M. tuberculosis sensu stricto (Mtbss) 241 (82.0%), M. africanum 41 (13.9%) and M. bovis four (1.4%) with eight (2.7%) unidentified. The human-adapted lineages (L) identified (N=279) were L1 (8/279, 2.9%), L2 (15/279, 5.4%), L3 (7/279, 2.5%), L4 (208/279, 74.5%), L5 (13/279, 4.7%) and L6 (28/279, 10.0%) with three unidentified lineages. Among the 208 L4, the dominant sub-lineages in the region were the Cameroon 120/208 (57.7%) and Ghana 50/208 (24.0%). We found 4.4% (13/294) and 0.7% (2/294) of the patients infected with MTBC isolates resistant to INH only and RIF only, respectively, with 2.4% (7/294) being infected with MDR strains. Whereas L6 was associated with the elderly, we identified that the Ghana sub-lineage of L4 was associated with both INH and MDR (p<0.05), making them important TB pathogens in Northern Ghana and a growing public health concern.

Antimicrobial Usage in Commercial and Domestic Poultry Farming in Two Communities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Poultry farming is a common practice in Ghana. Antibiotics are used, particularly in commercial poultry farming, as growth promoters and to prevent and cure infections. However, there is little information on antimicrobial usage in domestic poultry farming in Ghana. This study aimed to describe antimicrobial usage in commercial and domestic poultry farming. A cross-sectional survey was conducted within the Ashanti region of Ghana including 33 commercial farms and 130 households with domestic poultry farming. The median poultry population on commercial farms was 1500 (IQR: 300-3000) compared with 18 (IQR: 10-25) on domestic farms. The majority (97%, n = 32) of commercial farms used antimicrobials, compared with 43% (n = 56) of the domestic farms. Commercial farmers were 6.1 (CI: 3.2-11.8) times more likely to read and follow instructions on antimicrobials in comparison with domestic poultry keepers. About 11% of domestic and 34% of commercial farmers had received education on antimicrobial usage. None of the commercial farmers used herbal remedies; however, 40% (n/N = 52/130) of domestic farmers administered herbs. The misuse of antimicrobials in domestic poultry production calls for stricter regulations and training to limit the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among poultry.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli from Broilers, Pigs, and Cattle in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Globally, resistance to antimicrobial drugs in food animals is on the rise. Escherichia coli of livestock, though commensal in nature, serves as reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes with the potential of disseminating them. This study sought to examine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli in broilers, pigs, and cattle in the Kumasi Metropolis and undertake molecular characterisation of the resistances. Faecal E. coli isolates (n = 48) were obtained from 10 broiler farms, (n = 43) from 15 pig farms, and (n = 42) from cattle from the Kumasi Abattoir using standard bacteriological techniques. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was employed in testing the sensitivities of 133 E. coli isolates to 15 antimicrobials. All 48 isolates from broilers presented no resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ceftiofur. A 100% resistance to meropenem was observed in pig and cattle isolates. Multidrug resistance (MDR) across animal groups was 95.8% (n = 46), 95.3% (n = 41), and 64.3% (n = 27) for broilers, pigs, and cattle, respectively. Twenty-eight isolates presenting phenotypic resistance to aminopenicillins and cephalosporins were screened for the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes by PCR. One isolate from poultry and another from cattle tested positive for the blaCTX-M ESBL gene. There were no positives for the blaTEM and blaSHV ESBL genes. Commensal E. coli of food animal origin represents an important reservoir of antimicrobial resistance that transfers resistance to pathogenic and nonpathogenic microbes affecting humans and animals. There is an urgent need to institute routine surveillance for the establishment of the mechanisms and molecular orientation of resistance in these organisms.

In vitro properties of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria originating from Ghanaian indigenous fermented milk products.

Fermented milk products are a major source of health-promoting microorganisms known as probiotics. To characterize the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Ghanaian traditionally fermented milk, thirty (30) isolates comprising Enterococcus faecium (1), Lactobacillus fermentum (14), Lb. plantarum (2) and Pediococcus acidilactici (13) identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were tested for survival at low pH (2.5) and bile salts (0.3% (w/v)), hydrophobicity, co-aggregation, auto-aggregation and antimicrobial activities against selected pathogens. Safety of potential probiotic bacteria was assessed by hemolytic activity on blood agar and susceptibility to nine different antibiotics. Majority (90%) of the strains showed survival rates above 80% at pH (2.5) and in bile salts (0.3% (w/v)). Hydrophobicity ranged from 5 to 61% while cell auto-aggregation ranged from 41 to 80% after 24 h. Co-aggregation with E. coli (3.7-43.9%) and S. Typhimurium (1.3-49.5%) were similar for the LAB strains at 24 h. Cell- free supernatants of all LAB strains inhibited E. coli while S. Typhimurium was not sensitive to cell-free supernatants of five Pd. acidilactici strains: OS24h20, OS18h3, OY9h19, OS9h8 and 24NL38. None of the LAB strains showed ß-hemolysis but 38% of strains showed α-hemolysis. Susceptibilities to antibiotics were strain-specific; only four strains, two Lb. fermentum and two Pd. acidilactici were susceptible to all nine antibiotics tested. Based on high survival rates in bile salts, low pH and generally good hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation and inhibitory activities, 15 out of 30 strains tested were considered qualified candidates for development of probiotic cultures for fermented milk products in sub-Saharan Africa.

Probiotic potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces marxianus isolated from West African spontaneously fermented cereal and milk products.

The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces marxianus are associated with fermentation of West African indigenous foods. The aim of this study was to characterize potential probiotic properties of S. cerevisiae and K. marxianus isolates from the West African milk products lait caillé and nunu and a cereal-based product mawè. The strains (14 in total) were identified by 26S rRNA gene sequencing and characterized for survival at gastrointestinal stress (bile salts and low pH) and adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Selected yeast isolates were tested for their effect on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), using the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 and for maintenance of intracellular pH (pHi ) during perfusion with gastrointestinal pH (3.5 and 6.5). All tested yeasts were able to grow in bile salts in a strain-dependent manner, exhibiting a maximum specific growth rate (µmax ) of 0.58-1.50 h-1 . At pH 2.5, slow growth was observed for the isolates from mawè (µmax of 0.06-0.80 h-1 ), whereas growth of yeasts from other sources was mostly inhibited. Yeast adhesion to Caco-2 cells was strain specific and varied between 8.0% and 36.2%. Selected strains of S. cerevisiae and K. marxianus were able to maintain the pHi homeostasis at gastrointestinal pH and to increase TEER across the Caco-2 monolayers, indicating their potential to improve intestinal barrier functions. Based on overall results, strains of K. marxianus and S. cerevisiae from mawè exhibited the highest probiotic potential and might be recommended for further development as starter cultures in West African fermented products.