Castello Annamaria, Massaro Chiara, Seghers Erine, Ferraro Clelia, Costa Antonella, Alduina Rosa, Cardamone Cinzia
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily A. Mirri, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies Department, University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
Pathogens. 2025 Jul 10;14(7):682. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14070682.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to global health, and its spread through the food chain is gaining increasing attention. While AMR in food of animal origin has been extensively studied, less is known about its prevalence in plant-based foods, particularly fresh and ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables. This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in fresh and RTE vegetables. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular analyses for the characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). A significant proportion of samples were found to harbor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Several ARGs, including those encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and resistance to critically important antimicrobials, were detected. The findings point to environmental contamination-potentially originating from wastewater reuse and agricultural practices-as a likely contributor to AMR dissemination in vegetables. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and ARGs in fresh produce raises concerns about food safety and public health. The current regulatory framework lacks specific criteria for monitoring AMR in vegetables, highlighting the urgent need for surveillance programs and risk mitigation strategies. This study contributes to a better understanding of AMR in the plant-based food sector and supports the implementation of a One Health approach to address this issue.
抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）对全球健康构成了日益严重的威胁，其通过食物链的传播也越来越受到关注。虽然动物源食品中的AMR已得到广泛研究，但对于其在植物性食品，特别是新鲜和即食（RTE）蔬菜中的流行情况了解较少。本研究调查了新鲜蔬菜和即食蔬菜中抗菌药物耐药菌的发生情况。对分离株进行了抗菌药物敏感性测试和分子分析，以对抗菌药物耐药基因（ARGs）进行表征。发现相当一部分样本含有抗菌药物耐药菌，包括多重耐药菌株。检测到了几种ARGs，包括那些编码超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）的基因以及对极为重要的抗菌药物的耐药基因。研究结果表明，环境污染（可能源自废水回用和农业实践）可能是蔬菜中AMR传播的一个因素。新鲜农产品中抗菌药物耐药菌和ARGs的存在引发了对食品安全和公众健康的担忧。当前的监管框架缺乏监测蔬菜中AMR的具体标准，凸显了迫切需要开展监测计划和风险缓解策略。本研究有助于更好地了解植物性食品领域的AMR，并支持实施“同一健康”方法来解决这一问题。
