Abstract
K.pneumoniaewas known as a nosocomial infection that causes human diseases. It is considered as one of the food-borne pathogens as it causes septicemia and diarrhea in humans. This study aims to characterizeK.pneumoniaestrains isolated from ready to eat processed meat phenotypically and genetically. Three hundred and fifty ready to eat processed meat (Luncheon-meat) samples were collected. Forty-four (12.6%)K.pneumoniaestrains were isolated and bio-typed, where the majority were identified to belong to biotype B1. K1 and K2 serotypes were detected and strains were classified as hypermucoviscousK.pneumoniae(HVKP) and classicK.pneumoniae(CKP) (26 and 18 isolates, respectively). The isolates were resistant to several classes of beta-lactam antibiotics, ceftazidim and cefotaxime (95.5%), cefoxitin (93.2%), ertapenem (90.9%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (86.4%). They were classified as extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC or carbapenemase-producers phenotypically. Eighteen beta-lactamase genes were investigated by PCR. The most prominent genes wereSHV(63.6%),TEM(52.2%),CTX-M15(50%),AMPC(47.7%),CIT-M(45.5%) andVIM(43.2%). Co-detection of beta-lactam resistance genes revealed 42 gene profiles. Twenty-four isolates had the complete efflux system (AcrAB-Tox196;C). Besides, Integrons (I, II, III) were detected in 20 isolates. Molecular typing by ERIC-PCR showed high genetic diversity between isolates as 34 different patterns were identified. Overall, this study confirmed the hazards posed by the presence of multiple resistance genes in the same isolate and this should not be undervalued. Besides, the horizontal transfer of plasmid harboring resistance genes between isolates in food represents potential health risks for consumers in Egypt and so the control and inhibition plans are necessary.