Isolation, identification and antimicrobial resistance of Cronobacter spp. isolated from various foods in China

- The highest prevalence was detected in cereals and cereal products.
- Isolates have been identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and classified by PCR-RFLP.
- Cronobacter sakazakii was the only Cronobacter species isolated.
- Most strains were susceptible to commomly used antimicrobials.

Cronobacter spp. are important foodborne pathogens that can cause severe diseases such as meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates. In this study, 195 food samples, including cereals, cereal products, powdered infant formula (PIF), infant food formula, herbs, spices, vegetables, and fruits, were analyzed for the presence of Cronobacter spp. by culture-based method. The presumptive isolates were further confirmed by targeting the 16S rDNA gene using PCR. Out of 195 samples, 13 samples (6.7%) were positive for Cronobacter species. 12 of 85 cereal and cereal products (14.1%), and 1 of 22 herbs and spices (4.5%) were contaminated. In contrast, no Cronobacter was detected in commercial powdered infant formula, infant food formula, vegetables, or fruits. Alignment of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 13 isolates was most closely related to the genus Cronobacter. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis revealed that Cronobacter sakazakii was the only Cronobacter species isolated from various food samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 13 Cronobacter isolates was determined by the standard disk diffusion method. All isolated strains, except one resistant to ampicillin, were sensitive or displayed intermediate susceptibility to the 10 antimicrobial agents investigated. No multiple drug resistance was observed.