Incidence and antibiogram of Clostridium perfringens isolated from herbs and spices widely distributed in the Egyptian market

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, 13736 Moshtohor, EGYPT

2 Department of Microbiology, Central Lab of Residue Analysis of Pesticides & Heavy Metals in Food, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture

Abstract

The present study was designed for isolation and identification of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) from herbs
and spices that are widely distributed in the Egyptian markets; and determination of the drug of choice for its control based
on the Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (AST). A total of 392 samples of herbs and spices were randomly and
anonymously selected from the enormous number of samples obtained from the Egyptian markets. An overall occurrence
of C. perfringens was 8.42% (33 out of 392). Separately, occurrence was higher in herbs than spices being 10.5 and 6.25%,
respectively. C. perfringens isolates were identified and confirmed with macroscopical, microscopical and biochemical
analysis. AST results revealed that isolates of C. perfringens from the tested herbs and spices samples were found most
susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam and Penicillin-G with inhibition zones of 19.4 ± 0.98 and 16.6 ± 1.16 mm, respectively.
On the other hand, the isolates were found nearly resistant to clindamycin and vancomycin with inhibition zones of 6.28
± 0.63 and 8.78 ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, the isolates were intermediary susceptible to trimethoprimsulphamethoxazole
combination and chloramphenicol. Data of the present study indicate occurrence of C. perfringens in
herbs and spices with a considerable rate and the antimicrobials of choice for its control are penicillins and ceftazidime.
higher sanitation procedures in herbs and spices industry before its distribution to the Egyptian markets have been
recommended

Keywords

Benha Veterinary Medical Journal
Volume 32, Issue 1
March 2017
Pages 198-206

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