Monitoring Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Fecal Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and the Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Among Food handlers in Kuwait

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have become one of the most challenging problems in infectious diseases worldwide. Unrecognized personnel colonized as food handlers (FHs) with CRE serve as a reservoir for transmission. This study assessed the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of CRE isolates from FHs working in commercial eateries in the community (CFHs) and healthcare settings (HCFHs) in Kuwait over a period between 2016-2018.

The study revealed that asymptomatic intestinal carriage of CRE, MDR and ESBLs were relatively common in our community. It is conceivable that FHs may, in part, pose a significant risk on the consumers in the acquisition and spread of resistant strains.