Antibiotic Resistance among Escherichia coli from Leafy Vegetables sold at Two markets around Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria

Leafy vegetables harbour microorganisms and may serve in vehicle transmission of diarrhoea causing Escherichia coli. This study investigated the antibiotics susceptibility of E. coli from six (6) leafy vegetables retailed in the two major markets around Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. The E. coli were isolated using defined substrate technique (DST) and characterized by morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques. Their antibiotic susceptibilities were tested using Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was determined for the isolates and the vegetables. Eighteen (18) strains of Escherichia coli were isolated, and their identities were confirmed by molecular characterization using DNA PCR technique. Eight (8) of them were on vegetables from Ipetu Ijesa market and ten (10) on vegetables from Owena Ijesa market. E. coli was found most frequently on Amaranthus hybridus and Solanecio biafrae (50% of samples) and least frequently on Talium triangulare (10% of samples). Vegetables from Owena Ijesa market generally haboured higher E. coli populations than vegetables from Ipetu Ijesa market. All E. coli strains isolated had MAR index greater than 0.2, and two of them had MAR index of 1.0. Telfairia occidentalis from Owena market had the highest MAR index (0.9) however, the two markets had similar MAR index (0.6). The presence of multidrug-resistant E.coli strains on retailed vegetables portends a serious challenge in managing infections due to consumption of the fresh vegetables and highlights the need to properly decontaminate fresh leafy vegetables before consuming them