Aim: To know the prevalence of avian
pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains among
adult apparently healthy rural chickens
slaughtered in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Cloacal swabs were
examined by Gram staining, biochemical tests such
as indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate
(IMVC) tests and serotype by standard slide
agglutination test with antisera against somatic
antigen using six monospecific “O” antisera to E.
coli belonging to the avian pathogenic E. coli
group namely O1, O2, O26, O78, O86 and O141. The
sensitivity of the isolated APEC strains to 10
antibiotics of human and veterinary use was also
determined.
Results: Out of a total of 510
samples examined, 356 (69.8%) were positive for E.
coli. Of this number 20 (5.6%) samples were
positive for O1, 20 (5.6%) for O2, 0 (0%) for O26,
25 (7.0%) for O78, 25 (7.0%) for O86 and 24 (6.7%)
for O141 serotypes. The remaining 242 (68.0%) E.
coli isolates were non typable with the 6 sera of
avian pathogenic E. coli strains used for the
study. The sensitivity profile of the isolates
showed complete resistance of all the isolates
against ampicillin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid
and cefuroxime, while on the other hand all the
isolates showed very high susceptibility to
oxofloxacin followed by ciprofloxacin and
gentamycin. The result of this study suggests that
multiple-antimicrobial-resistant APEC isolates are
present in rural chickens in Maiduguri,
north-eastern Nigeria. In addition to animal
health problems created by the resistant strains,
there may also be potential danger posed to human
health because these strains could easily infect
humans through the food chain.
Conclusion:
The result of this study suggests that
multiple-antimicrobial-resistant APEC isolates are
present in rural chickens in Maiduguri,
north-eastern Nigeria. Consequently, introduction
of surveillance programs to monitor antimicrobial
resistance of pathogenic bacteria is strongly
recommended in Nigeria.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistance, E. coli, Nigeria, Rural
chickens
