Occurrence and Genotypic Characterization of Selected Multidrug-resistant ESKAPE-E Pathogens Isolated from Integrated Smallholder Fresh Produce Farms.

ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ranks among the top ten global public health threats, with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerging as multidrug-resistant (MDR) priority pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and characteristics (phenotypic and genotypic AMR profiles) of ESBL/AmpC-producing Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from the water-soil-plant nexus on smallholder fresh produce farms in South Africa. Samples of irrigation water (n = 44), soil (n = 85), and fresh produce (n = 95) were collected from six smallholder farms. Potential MDR bacteria were isolated using selective enrichment, chromogenic media, and identified with MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed via double-disk diff

SUBMITTER: Viviers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12181083 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature