Genetic characterization of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and plasmid-mediated transferability in Enterohaemorrhagic <i>E. coli</i> O157 isolates from healthy food handlers in Japan, 2006–2021

We characterized the antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of EHEC-O157 from food handlers. EHEC strains can easily acquire and spread antibiotic resistance. Notably, EHEC-O157 isolates from healthy individuals exhibited uninterrupted streptomycin and ampicillin resistance over the past decade. In recent years, there has been a discernible trend towards multidrug resistance of EHEC-O157.