Project Materials

MULTI DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF LISTERIA SPECIES IN FROZEN AND LIVE CHICKEN SOLD

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Listeria species, notably Listeria monocytogenes, are significant foodborne pathogens that cause listeriosis, a serious sickness with high morbidity and fatality rates. Listeriosis is generally linked to the ingestion of infected foods, particularly poultry products.

Listeria species’ capacity to acquire resistance to numerous drugs complicates listeriosis therapy and raises public health concerns. This background section discusses Listeria species, the rise of multi-drug resistance, and the possible dangers of consuming chicken products contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Listeria species are gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacteria found throughout the environment, including soil, water, and many food sources. Listeria monocytogenes is the most pathogenic species in the Listeria genus and has been linked to numerous human diseases.

Listeria infections primarily affect people with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant women, babies, and the elderly. The ingestion of contaminated foods is the primary mode of transmission for Listeria species, making food safety critical in preventing listeriosis epidemics.

The establishment and spread of multidrug resistance (MDR) in Listeria species is an increasing global problem. Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria undergo genetic alterations or inherit resistance genes from other bacteria, allowing them to tolerate antibiotics.

Antibiotic misuse and overuse in human health, veterinary operations, and agriculture help to select and spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Listeria strains.

The capacity of Listeria species to produce biofilms and persist in a variety of environmental niches increases their resistance potential.

Listeria species use a variety of methods to build antibiotic resistance. These methods include target site modification, efflux pump systems, enzymatic antibiotic inactivation, and changes in cell wall permeability. For example, Listeria strains can acquire mutations in genes encoding antibiotics.