Investigation of antimicrobial resistance of ESßL, Amp-C, and carbapenemaseproducing E. coli strains in retail poultry meats

Abstract

Antimicrobial agents are used for suppressing some bacterial infections during the rearing of poultry. In this study; the antibiotic resistance properties of Extended Spectrum ßeta-lactamase (ESßL), Amp-C, carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains isolated from chicken breast meat were determined by disc diffusion and E-test methods. Additionally, it is aimed to determine antibiotic resistance genes by classical polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this context, E. coli strains were isolated from 7 of 100 chicken breast meat (fillets) and identified by a rapid identification system (BBL Crystal). Disc diffusion test results of the isolates were evaluated and 100% to tetracycline; ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, cefoxitin, nalidixic acid, oxytetracycline 85.7%; ceftazidime, cefotaxime and meropenem 28.5%; chloramphenicol 71.4%, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 42.8%; 14.2% resistance to gentamicin was observed. Test results of the isolates were evaluated and ESßL activity was found in 2 isolates in the disc diffusion test. Amp-C and carbapenemase activity was detected in 6 isolates in disc diffusion, in all isolates in E-test; 2 isolates in disc diffusion were detected carbapenemase activity, while carbapenemase activity was not detected in E-test, respectively. Classical PCR was performed after the DNAs were isolated for the detection of antibiotic resistance genes. According to classical PCR results; ESßL activity was detected in all isolates; carbapenemase activity was positive in only 1 isolate, while Amp-C activity was positive in 4 isolates. CTXM-1 (71%) and SHV1 (71%), OXA-1 (42.8%), CTXM-9 (28.5%), and TEM (14.2%) were detected by classical PCR, respectively. It has been concluded that E. coli isolated from poultry meat collected from the market may pose a risk in terms of ESßL, Amp-C, and carbapenemase genes, and continuous monitoring is required in this regard.