Abstract:
The bacterium Escherichia coli is a Gram negative, facultative anaerobe that ferments glucose/lactose and lives naturally in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans. Though most Escherichia coli strains are non-pathogenic and inhibit their host as commensals, few pathogenic ones exist that causes diseases in humans especially in immune-challenged individuals. Pathogenic Escherichia coli can be contracted from the consumption of contaminated foods. The prevalence of Escherichia colias reported in Malaysia ranged from 22.6 to 88.0%. Majority of the work on E. coli is concentrated on beef samples. Furthermore, most Malaysians eat out; therefore, posing a high risk of ingesting pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. A report on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli strains in Malaysia is necessary to create more awareness of the existence of the pathogen in the food chain and subsequently its implication on public health.
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