ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROFILE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Aim. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance profile of E. coli in primary school children with different levels of physical activity. Materials and methods. Two groups of conditionally healthy children without symptoms of acute diseases aged 8–10 years (12 participants each) were included. The first group had no regular physical activity, while the second group had practiced taekwondo for over two years. Morning stool samples were collected, transported to the laboratory, and plated on Endo medium to isolate E. coli strains. Antibiotic sensitivity to amoxicillin, cefazolin, amikacin, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline was assessed by culturing E. coli strains on antibiotic-containing media. Results. In the first group, 19 E. coli strains were isolated, with resistance observed in 15 strains to amoxicillin, 9 to cefazolin and ceftriaxone, 6 to amikacin, and 1 to tetracycline. In the second group, 13 strains were isolated, with resistance observed in 6 strains to amoxicillin, 2 to cefazolin and ceftriaxone, 1 to amikacin, and none to tetracycline. The CFU levels of resistant E. coli in the first group ranged from 1.3·10⁴ to 1.2·10⁶ CFU/g, indica­ting an increased risk of resistant strain development in the absence of physical activity. The second group exhibited CFU levels 2 orders of magnitude lower, ranging from 3·10² to 2.6·10⁴ CFU/g. Conclusion. While physical activity does not entirely eliminate antibiotic resistance, it appears to promote a healthier microbiota. Insufficient physical activity may be associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-resistant strain development. The limited presence of resistant strains in children practicing taekwondo suggests a lower immunological burden, potentially influenced by differences in diet and lifestyle.