Multidrug-resistant bacteria colonizing commercial plants

The spread of multi-resistant bacteria is a challenge that is no longer restricted to hospital environments, but also represents a growing problem involving food safety and environmental integrity. This study investigated bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobials isolated from vegetables sold in Brazil and Portugal. The genomic characterization of the isolates was carried out by whole genome sequencing and the endophytic lifestyle was evaluated using the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as a model for the study. In this work, we demonstrate that vegetables may represent a possible route for the dissemination of bacteria, including international clones, carrying clinically significant resistance genes for humans and animals, constituting a serious threat to public health.