Ziem à Abah Jacques Olivier¹, Plidikoua Amandine², Passau Djouk Manuela Elsie², Justice Trésor Ngom Ngom², Djomo Chancelle², Mazarin Akami², Etoa François Xavier¹, Koro Koro Francioli^2,

Foodborne infections bacterially mediated increase morbidity and mortality rates, especially in developing countries where acute hygiene and sanitation are wanting. Associated with antimicrobial resistance, these infections are foremost among key public health concerns. In this study, we assessed the phenotypic characterization of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains contaminating fish and meat products sold and destinated for human consumption in Douala. As such, 95 samples of fish and meat products were randomly collected from 8 markets and 11 supermarkets of Douala urban council. E. coli was isolated and identified by culture-dependent and biochemical techniques and antimicrobial susceptibility test was assessed using the Kirby Bauer method. The results showed that 89.5% of fish and meat products were contaminated by ß-glucuronidase positive E. coli and 42.1% by Extended Spectrum β-lactamase E. coli. Its resistance profile showed extremely high resistant isolates to β-lactam antibiotics (90.9%-100%), very high to high resistance for third generation cephalosporin (43.6%-100%), high to moderates resistance (15.4% - 40%) for macrolides antibiotics families, moderate resistance to imipenem (10% à 18.2%) and multiresistance in 94. 9% of isolates. Additionally, our data revealed that fish and meat samples were potential sources of dissemination of antimicrobial resistant E. coli on food chain in Douala. This constitutes a serious health risk problem for human population and highlights the need for one health approach to better understand and manage this issue in Cameroon.

Escherichia coli, β-lactamase E. coli, phenotypic characterization, multidrug resistant, retail market, Douala