The comparison of the antimicrobial resistance pattern (antibiotyping) of staphylococcus strains isolated from orange and apple juices with the strains isolated from clinical samples, Shahrekord, Iran, 2007

One of the main routes in which bacterial resistance is transmitted is through food products. Antibiotic products are widely used in the nature to control diseases. It has been shown that these products can be transmitted to human through meat, milk, fruit, fruit juices and water and consequently they can cause antibiotic resistance problems. The aim of this study was to compare antimicrobial resistance of staphylococcus strains isolated from orange and apple juices and those strains isolated from clinical samples. This descriptive- analytical study was performed on 111 staphylococcus bacteria which were isolated from fruit juices or from patients referring to the educational hospitals in Shahrekord, Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disc diffusion method. The bacteria were classified by antibiotyping. Data were analyzed using Fishers exact test. The results of antibiotyping showed that 111 staphylococcus isolates were distributed in 36 patterns from which 10 isolates (53%) were Staphylococcus aureus belonged to 4 patterns. From the total staphylococcus isolates, 62 isolates (67%), were Staphylococcus epidermidis which were belonged to 11 patterns. These patterns were observed the same in fruit juices and clinical samples (P>0.05). The rest of isolates (39 isolates) were belonged to 21 patterns. The results of our study showed that most of the staphylococcus isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. On the other hand, 65% of isolated samples showed the same antibiotic resistance pattern in fruit juices and clinical samples. It is possible that food products, including fruit juices have role in transmitting bacterial resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to restrict the use of antibiotics and to control the production, transportation and maintenance of fruit juices.