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Widespread Multidrug Resistance and Virulence Determinants in Escherichia coli Across the Interconnected Farm-to-Food

David Yembilla Yamik1, Wattana Pelyuntha2,3, Wichanan Wannasrichan1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains carrying virulence genes are widespread in the farm-to-food chain. Urgent antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance are needed to reduce public health risks from these resistant E. coli.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Food Safety

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens like Escherichia coli (E. coli) complicates infection management globally.
  • Livestock are significant reservoirs for pathogenic and multidrug-resistant E. coli strains, posing risks through cross-contamination in food production.
  • The emergence of antibiotic resistance necessitates understanding E. coli transmission dynamics from farm to consumer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in E. coli isolates from various sources within the farm-to-food continuum.
  • To determine the antibiotic resistance profiles and common resistance gene patterns in E. coli from animal, food, and environmental samples.
  • To assess the public health implications of widespread antibiotic-resistant E. coli.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the analysis of E. coli isolates from farm animals, food processing facilities, and environmental samples (wastewater).
  • Antibiotic resistance and virulence gene profiles of isolated E. coli strains were determined.
  • Prevalence rates were calculated for different sources, and common resistance gene patterns were identified.

Main Results:

  • E. coli was detected in 60.1% of 383 samples, with higher prevalence in animal sources (72.3%) compared to food (33.7%) and environmental (43.1%) sources.
  • Over 80% of E. coli isolates carried the sheA virulence gene. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was common, affecting 61.1% of animal, 57.1% of food, and 50.0% of environmental isolates.
  • High resistance rates were observed for streptomycin (64.9%), ampicillin (58.0%), and tetracycline (57.6%), with tetA-strA-blaTEM being the most frequent resistance gene pattern (22.6%).

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains harboring virulence genes are prevalent throughout the farm-to-food chain.
  • Enhanced antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance programs are crucial to control the transmission of resistant E. coli from food-producing animals.
  • Mitigating the spread of resistant E. coli is essential to reduce public health complications associated with infections.
Keywords:
Escherichia coliantibiotic resistancefarm to foodpathotypepublic health

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