Burgeoning Multi-Drug Resistance in E. coli: Insights from Broiler Chickens and Slaughterhouse Workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Drug resistance is currently recognized as a global problem. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of multi-drug resistant (MDR) E. coli in broiler chickens, slaughter workers, and related specimens. Swab specimens were collected during the slaughter process from broiler carcasses, organs, workers’ hands, and various utensils. Bacterial culture, biochemical analysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were conducted on the isolated specimens. Out of a total of 1132 swab specimens, 294 (25.97%) tested positive for E. coli. The highest percentage (39.76%) was found in workers’ hand specimens, followed by different slaughter utensils and walls. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed complete resistance to ampicillin (100%). High resistance rates were observed for tetracycline (91.50%), chloramphenicol (91.16%), nalidixic acid (86.05%), ciprofloxacin (77.55%), colistin (77.21%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (72.45%), kanamycin (71.09%), doxycycline (70.07%), ceftazidime (69.05%), ampicillin-sulbactam (53.06%), and gentamicin (50.34%). On the other hand, 60.20% of the isolates showed sensitivity to amikacin, followed by ceftriaxone (41.50%) and norfloxacin (37.76%). MDR was observed in 99.32% (292 isolates), with 28.23% of them being potentially classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The MAR index of the E. coli isolates ranged from 0.2 to 1.0, displaying 190 different resistant patterns. The high prevalence of MDR among E. coli isolates from broiler chickens and related specimens, along with their resistance to important antibiotics, is a significant public health concern.

Keywords

• MDR
• E. coli
• Hygiene
• Broilers
• Slaughterhouse
• Antibiotic
• Susceptibility
• antimicrobial resistance