Resistance rate and novel virulence factor determinants of Arcobacter spp., from cattle fresh meat products from Iraq.

Arcobacter spp colonize in human and animals intestine and cause food-associated infections. Hence, characterization of their virulence potential and health impacts is required. Our subject was isolation and characterization of Arcobacter spp, from meat marketplaces. A total of 1297 fresh raw cattle meat samples were purchased randomly from various marketplaces in Baghdad, Iraq. One-hundred and twenty isolates were identified, including Arcobacter butzleri (A. butzleri n = 100) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (A. cryaerophilus n = 20). Susceptibility to antimicrobials was examined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Molecular investigation of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors was also conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Most of A. butzleri were resistant to tetracycline (72%), amoxicillin (69%), erythromycin (67%) and cefoxitin (66%), while 33% and 6% of them were resistant to ceftazidime and carbapenems, respectively. All were susceptible to gentamicin, colistin and fosfomycin. Fifty-five and nine isolates of A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were respectively multidrug-resistant (MDR). The existence of tetA, tetB, dfrA, sul1, bla and bla included 61%, 58%, 57%, 34%, 46% and 3%, respectively. The virulence genes cadF, irgA, tylA, cdtC and cdtA genes were detected in all the A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. While, ciaB mviN and pldA genes were respectively detected in 91%, 88% and 84% of A. butzleri and 97%, 93% and 87% of A. cryaerophilus isolates. There was a significant relation between MDR and existence of virulence genes. Existence of pathogenic and drug-resistant- Arcobacter spp in raw meat is a threat for human health, necessitating confirmation of quality and safety of meat products.