1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Escherichia coli are large and diverse group of bacteria. It is the type of the genus Escherichia that contained mostly motile Gram negative bacilli that fall within the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is the predominant facultative anaerobe of the human colonic flora. The organism typically colonizes the infant gastrointestinal tract within hours of life, and thereafter E. coli and the host derive mutual benefit for decades (Kaper et al., 2004). E. coli is a bacterium that normally lives in the intestines of human and animals, the growth and survival of E. coli depends on the number of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, water activity, composition of the food, carriage by cattle and contamination of surface water (Center for Disease Control, 2001). The temperature range of growth of E. coli is 7 to 8 to 46°C, with an optimum temperature of 35 to 40°C. Although most serotypes of E. coli are harmless, several produce toxins that cause illness. Some strains of E. coli including E. coli O157:H7, produce toxins known as shiga toxins and are called shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC). Their virulence characteristics suggest that they may have significant impact on public health (Perera et al., 2015).
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that E. coli O157:H7 caused an average of 500 outbreaks that affect >73,000 persons and result in >61 deaths each year in the United States (Charatan, 2014). The epidemiology of E. coli O157:H7 has become an important research topic as manure harboring E. coli O157:H7 is dispersed, and soil, food, and water are cross-contaminated with feces containing E. coli O157:H7 (CDC, 2001; Nakazawa and Akiba, 2001; Mean et al., 2015).
- coli O157:H7 is an important food borne pathogen a causative agent of HC and HUS. Globally, STEC caused 2,801,000 acute illnesses annually, with an incidence rate of 43.1 cases per 100,000 persons per year. This burden led to 3890 cases of HUS and 230 deaths (Lupindu, 2017). Large outbreaks of EHEC infection were reported throughout the world. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly recognized STEC in the United States, however, many other STEC serogroups including O26, O103, O111, and O145, have been associated with outbreaks and sporadic cases of HC and HUS worldwide (Essendoubi et al., 2019). One of the largest E. coli O157:H7 (one of the serotypes of EHEC) outbreaks associated with food consumption occurred in Sakai City, Japan in 1996. About a quarter of African countries have reported isolation of STEC 0157:H7 either from humans, animals, food or the environment (Lupindu, 2017; Yusuf et al., 2018).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Detection of E Coli 0157: H7 from Cooked Vegetables Sold in Sokoto Metropolis and Its Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile.
1.2 Statement of Problems
- coli in water is a strong indicator of sewage or animal waste contamination. Sewage and animal waste can contain many types of disease causing organisms. Consumption may result in severe illness; children under five years of age, those with compromised immune systems, and the elderly are particularly susceptible (Usgs, 2021).
Consumption of or contact with water contaminated with feces of warm-blooded animals can cause a variety of illnesses. Minor gastrointestinal discomfort is probably the most common symptom; however, pathogens that may cause only minor sickness in some people may cause serious conditions or death in others, especially in the very young, old, or those with weakened immunological systems (Usgs, 2021).
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to find out the E Coli 0157: H7 from Cooked Vegetables Sold in Sokoto Metropolis and Its Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in different cooked vegetable sold in Calabar Metropolis,
- To determine its incidence rate of cooked vegetable.
- To determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the above isolated organisms.
- To determine the antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from cooked vegetable sold in Calabar Metropolis
1.4 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Detection of E Coli 0157: H7 from Cooked Vegetables Sold in Sokoto Metropolis and Its Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.7 Definition of Terms
E. Coli: Is an acronym for Escherichia coli which is a bacterium commonly found in the intestines of humans and other animals, some strains of which can cause severe food poisoning.
Isolates: isolate simply means cause (a person or place) to be or remain alone or apart from others.
Phytochemical: This is a substance produced mainly by plants, and these substances have biological activity.
Component: it simply means one part of a whole thing.
Antibacterial: Anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
