A cross sectional study was performed to determine the frequency of Escherichia coli in fresh and frozen meat samples followed by antimicrobial resistance profiling and to detect different extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) genes. A total of 100 samples of fresh and frozen meat (n=50 each) were collected from different butcher shops and supermarkets. Equal numbers of specimens were collected from chicken and mutton. Samples were processed for isolation and identification of E. coli by standard microbiological, biochemical and molecular characterization. The resistance pattern was detected by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method while presence of ESBLs was checked by double disk synergy test and PCR. The results of present study showed that among 100 meat samples, potentially pathogenic E. coli was isolated from 36 samples with greater contamination 20/50 (40%) in chicken samples in comparison to mutton 16/50 (32%). Similarly, the frequency of E. coli was more pronounced in fresh meat 30/50 (60%) rather than frozen 4/50 (8%). The highest resistance pattern (100%) was observed against ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and tetracycline followed by cefotaxime (91.6%) and (n=27) isolates were found multi drug resistant (MDR). The double disk synergy test found 17 (47.22%) ESBL producing isolates while bla CTX-M gene was identified in 5 (29.41%) isolates followed by bla OXA-48 in 4 (23.52%) samples and bla TEM gene in 1 (5.88%). This study revealed that vigilant control procedures should be implemented all over the food chain and effective surveillance should also be performed at national level to minimize the spread of MDR and ESBL producing Escherichia coli from raw meat.

To Cite This Article: Nawaz Z, Aslam B, Zahoor MA, Siddique AB, Rafique A, Aslam R, Qamar MU, Ali S, Mubeen MU, 2021. Frequency of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli in Fresh and Frozen Meat. Pak Vet J, 41(1): 102-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2020.059