Open Access
Research (Published online: 13-05-2023)
12. Prevalence of multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum β–lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from chicken farms in Egypt
Gamal A. Salem, El-Sayed A. Abdelaziz, Mohammed A. Kamel, Nasreddin R. Rhouma, and Reem I. Ali
Veterinary World, 16(5): 1001-1007

Gamal A. Salem: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
El-Sayed A. Abdelaziz: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
Mohammed A. Kamel: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
Nasreddin R. Rhouma: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Misurata 2478, Libya.
Reem I. Ali: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1001-1007

Article history: Received: 24-12-2022, Accepted: 03-04-2023, Published online: 13-05-2023

Corresponding authors: Gamal A. Salem

E-mail: gamal_vet_85@yahoo.com

Citation: Salem GA, Abdelaziz EA, Kamel MA, Rhouma NR, and Ali RI (2023) Prevalence of multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum β–lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from chicken farms in Egypt, Veterinary World, 16(5): 1001-1007.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains exhibit antibiotic resistance and are known to infect humans worldwide. This study assessed the phenotypic and genotypic prevalence of ESBL-resistant E. coli isolates recovered from the respiratory tracts of chickens in El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Materials and Methods: We obtained 250 lung samples (one lung/bird) from 50 chicken farms (5 chickens/farm) to isolate, identify, and serotype E. coli. Antimicrobial resistance susceptibility was determined using the disk diffusion method, while the ESBL phenotype was identified using double disk synergy. We detected the β-lactamase genes, blaTEM, and blaSHV, using a polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The results showed that 140/250 (56%) were infected with E. coli. All the serogroups of isolated E. coli exhibited high multi-antimicrobial resistance index values (>0.2), and 65.7% were confirmed to have ESBL. Among the isolates with the ESBL phenotypes, 55 (60%) and 32 (35%) contained the blaTEM and blaSHV genes, respectively.

Conclusion: The widespread distribution of multidrug-resistant and ESBL-producing E. coli among poultry farms is a significant human health hazard. These results will help the Egyptian authorities to implement a national one-health approach to combat the antimicrobial resistance problem.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, β-lactamase, chicken farms, Escherichia coli.