Escherichia coli Isolation, Prevalence, and Multi Drug Resistance from a Poultry Farm in Sendafa Town, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli is bacteria that exist as commensal in the intestine of animals and humans, but pathogenic strains cause disease in chickens. The growth of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli is one of major concern worldwide. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, and Multi drug resistance profile and determine the potential risk factor of E. coli isolates from chickens and chicken’s environment in Sendafa town, central Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to August 2023 in Sendafa town. Purposive sampling techniques were used based on the presence of clinical symptoms suggestive of E. coli in chicken farms. Different types of samples were collected including 207 cloacae swabs, 8 feed, and 8 water from different farms. E. coli isolation and identification were done using bacterial culture, and biochemical, and confirmed using the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was done using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20. Result: Out of a total of 223 samples of cloacae swab, feed, and water 71 (31.83 %) were found to be E. coli suspected by biochemical and finally confirmed with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS). All confirmed isolates were subjected to 12 antimicrobial agents to check their susceptibility. From 71 tested Escherichia coli isolates we found resistant patterns of E. coli to 62(87.3%) Amoxicillin, 44(62%) Tetracycline, and 39(54.9%) Streptomycin respectively. Multi-drug resistance was observed in this study for two or more than resistant detected. Some isolate was sensitive to 60(84.5%) Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole, 57(80.3%) Norfloxacin, 56(78.9 %) Ceftriaxone, and 53(74.6%) Meropenem respectively. Intermediate antibiotics were observed on 32(45.1 %) Sulfonamides, and 23(32.4%) Gentamicin for Escherichia coli isolate. Risk factors were analyzed with descriptive statistics. In the study, the difference in E. coli prevalence by age and among sample types was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Between kebele and farm, there was a statistically significant difference in E. coli prevalence (P <0.05). Conclusion: In this study, a high incidence of E. coli and antibiotic resistance to commonly used antibiotics including Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Streptomycin in poultry were found. This implies that there is the existence of practices that accelerate antimicrobial resistance in the sampled chickens therefore, appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, good biosecurity measures, and hygiene practices in chicken farms are important.