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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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A survey of antibiotic resistance among E. coli strains isolated from poultry in Karachi

F A Ansari1, H Khatoon

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|January 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study found high rates of antibiotic resistance in poultry E. coli from Karachi. Tetracycline resistance was most common, while gentamycin resistance was least common among the tested antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Veterinary Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals is a growing global concern.
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) from poultry can act as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes.
  • Monitoring AMR in poultry is crucial for food safety and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolated from poultry in Karachi.
  • To evaluate resistance patterns against eight commonly used antibiotics at various concentrations.
  • To identify specific antibiotics to which E. coli strains exhibit the highest and lowest resistance frequencies.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and identification of 152 E. coli strains from poultry samples.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tetracycline.
  • Analysis of resistance patterns and frequencies at antibiotic concentrations of 50, 100, and 500 µg/ml.

Main Results:

  • High incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance was observed in poultry E. coli.
  • Tetracycline exhibited the highest frequency of resistance, while gentamycin showed the lowest.
  • Detailed resistance patterns and frequencies at different antibiotic levels were documented.

Conclusions:

  • Poultry in Karachi harbor E. coli strains with significant multiple antibiotic resistance.
  • Tetracycline and gentamycin represent key antibiotics for monitoring resistance trends in this context.
  • Further investigation into the genetic basis of resistance, including R plasmids, is warranted.

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