Evaluating bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in isolated bacteria from food contact surfaces

Bacteria isolated from food contact surfaces, can transfer resistance factors when exposed to pressure exerted by inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to evaluate bacterial resistance against antibiotics and disinfectants commonly used (NaOCl and CH3COOH) in bacteria isolated from food contact surfaces. Additionally, using PCR, the presence of tetracycline resistance genes was evaluated. Results showed that 47% of the isolates exhibit resistance against more than one antibiotic, being Tetracycline the antibiotic that most isolates were resistant to (35.3%). A PCR analysis found that the tet M gene is the most frequent of the genes tested. Likewise, it was evidenced that although NaOCl is effective as a surface disinfectant, Aerococcus urinae and Kocuria kristinae isolates could resist up to 10 min of exposure. Likewise, all isolates were resistant to CH3COOH, demonstrating the low inhibitory capacity of this disinfectant. Finally, the observed correlation between resistance to antibiotics and resistance to disinfectants is confirmed. An important factor that should be studied since the generalized use of disinfectants can increase the spectrum of antibiotic resistance.