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What Is in the Salad? Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance in Lettuce Irrigated with Various Water Sources in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Gerard Quarcoo

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana
    Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Lady A. Boamah Adomako

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Arpine Abrahamyan

    (Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center, Yerevan 0014, Armenia)

  • Samuel Armoo

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Augustina A. Sylverken

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
    Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Matthew Glover Addo

    (Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Sevak Alaverdyan

    (Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center, Yerevan 0014, Armenia)

  • Nasreen S. Jessani

    (Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
    Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Anthony D. Harries

    (International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 75001 Paris, France
    Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Hawa Ahmed

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Regina A. Banu

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Selorm Borbor

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Mark O. Akrong

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Nana A. Amonoo

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Emmanuel M. O. Bekoe

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Mike Y. Osei-Atweneboana

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Achimota P.O. Box AH 38, Ghana)

  • Rony Zachariah

    (United Nations Children Fund, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, World Health Organization, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) WHO, 20, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

Introduction: Safety of the environment in which vegetables are grown, marketed and consumed is paramount as most are eaten raw. Irrigation sources include open drains and streams, which are often contaminated with human and animal waste due to poor sanitation infrastructure. In irrigated vegetable farms using such sources in Ghana, we assessed Escherichia coli counts, antibiotic resistance patterns and resistant genes on irrigated lettuce. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January–May 2022, involving five major vegetable farms in Ghana. Results: Escherichia coli was found in all 25 composite lettuce samples analyzed. Counts expressed in CFU/g ranged from 186 to 3000, with the highest counts found in lettuce irrigated from open drains (1670) and tap water using hose pipes (3000). Among all bacterial isolates, resistance ranged between 49% and 70% for the Watch group of antibiotics, 59% for the Reserved group and 82% were multidrug-resistant. Of 125 isolates, 60 (48%) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing, of which five (8%) had the bla TEM -resistant gene. Conclusions: Lettuce was contaminated with Escherichia coli with high levels of antibiotic resistance. We call on the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Drugs Authority and other stakeholders to support farmers to implement measures for improving vegetable safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerard Quarcoo & Lady A. Boamah Adomako & Arpine Abrahamyan & Samuel Armoo & Augustina A. Sylverken & Matthew Glover Addo & Sevak Alaverdyan & Nasreen S. Jessani & Anthony D. Harries & Hawa Ahmed & Re, 2022. "What Is in the Salad? Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance in Lettuce Irrigated with Various Water Sources in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12722-:d:933680
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Drechsel, Pay & Keraita, B., 2014. "Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation," IWMI Books, International Water Management Institute, number 208760.
    2. Drechsel, Pay & Keraita, B., 2014. "Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation," IWMI Books, Reports H046597, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Prince Antwi-Agyei & Sandy Cairncross & Anne Peasey & Vivien Price & Jane Bruce & Kelly Baker & Christine Moe & Joseph Ampofo & George Armah & Jeroen Ensink, 2015. "A Farm to Fork Risk Assessment for the Use of Wastewater in Agriculture in Accra, Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, November.
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