Occurrence and antibiogram of Escherichia albertii in backyard poultry and pigeons in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background and Aim: Escherichia albertii is an emerging enteric pathogen that causes mass avian mortality events in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as mortality in captive birds and poultry. This study aims to investigate the occurrence and antibiotic resistance pattern of E. albertii in backyard poultry and pigeons in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 cloacal swabs were collected from backyard poultry and pigeons from Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar districts in Bangladesh. Escherichia albertii isolates were isolated and identified by culturing on selective growth media. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the presence of cytolethal distending toxin gene (Eacdt). Antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. albertii isolates were investigated using the Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method. In addition, the E. albertii isolates were screened for sulphonamide-resistant sul1 and sul2. Results: In total, 7/200 (3.5%) isolates from backyard poultry tested positive for Eacdt. The isolation rate of E. albertii was highest in chicken (4.76%), followed by turkey (2.78%) and duck (2.2%). Pigeon samples were negative for E. albertii. Based on the disk diffusion test, all seven E. albertii isolates were resistant to ≥3 antimicrobials. Resistance was highest against tetracycline (86%), followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (71%). In addition, 6/7 isolates tested positive for sul1 and sul2. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show that backyard poultry and pigeons in Bangladesh may be reservoirs of E. albertii, indicating the importance of determining the transmission and pathogenicity of E. albertii to humans.

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• bangladesh
• pathogenicity
• tetracycline