Bacterial communities associated with the surfaces of the fresh fruits sold around Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and their anti-microbial profiles

Background Now-a-days, fresh fruits are popular sources of healthy diets with low energy density. Since they are consumed raw, it may act as a source of foodborne disease and a reservoir for antibiotic resistant organisms. This study aimed to determine microbial prevalence among the fruits sold outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) along with their antimicrobial profiles and to detect antimicrobial resistance genes among the resistant organisms. Methods Thirty-five different types of fruits were bought from around DMCH and analyzed for the presence of bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity was done and ESBL, AmpC β-lactamase, and MBL positive strains were identified by standard methods followed by PCR to detect ESBL, AmpC β-lactamase, and MBL genes. Findings Twenty seven different organisms were isolated and identified which were- Klebsiella spp (33·33%), Citrobacter spp (29·64%), Enterobacter spp (22·22%), Escherichia coli (11·11%), and Staphylococcus aureus (3·70%). Among them 48·15% organisms were resistant to different antibiotics. Only one organism ( Citrobacter spp ) produced ESBL phenotypically (7·69%). Two (15·38%) were positive for AmpC β-lactamase and one of these ( Enterobacter spp ) possessed both SHV and CTX-M15A genes by PCR. Imipenem resistance was 84·62% of the antibiotic resistant organisms, and 10 (90·91%) were phenotypically MBL positive by CD test, DDS test, and MHT. By PCR, one Enterobacter spp had MBL encoding gene OXA-48. Interpretation Fresh fruits, contaminated with pathogens, might be a source of transmission of resistant organisms and attribute to public health issues. Funding The office of Directorate General of Health Service, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh. Importance Fruits sold around Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) are usually consumed by patients, patient’s attendant and Health care worker. This investigation emphasized not only on the extent of bacterial contamination but also attempted to measure the anti-microbial profile of these organisms isolated from the fruits commonly available and readily consumed in and around DMCH.