Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Occurrence, Multidrug Resistance, and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase/AmpC-Producing
Shumaila Taskeen1, Randhir Singh1, Jasbir Singh Bedi1
1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Punjab, India.
Abstract:
The present study evaluated the occurrence, antibiogram profile, and sequence types (STs) of multidrug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli from freshly laid eggs (n = 480), feed (n = 24), water (n = 24), poultry droppings (n = 24), and hand swab samples (n = 10) collected from 24 deep litter (DL) and caged poultry layer farms (12 per category) across Punjab, India. The overall E. coli contamination rate in DL and cage farms was 32% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 26.6-37.8%) and 16.7% (95% CI, 12.6-21.6%), respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the DL system had higher odds of occurrence (odds ratio [OR]) of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) (2.195, 95% CI, 1.065, 4.522) and ESBL/AmpC coproducers (2.69, 95% CI, 1.122, 6.45) compared to the cage system. Additionally, isolates from the DL were 4.065 (95% CI, 1.477, 11.188) times more tetracycline resistant compared to the latter; however, resistance to amoxyclavulanate (OR, 0.437; 95% CI, 0.209, 0.912), and ampicillin (OR, 0.343; 95% CI, 0.163, 0.720) was lesser in DL system. Notably, around 97.7% and 87.2% of the isolates from the DL and cage system were MDR, with the DL system having 6.439 (95% CI, 1.246, 33.283) times more chances of harboring MDR E. coli. Additionally, among the resistance genes, the DL system demonstrated significantly high presence of blaAmpC (56%), qnrA/B/S (42.3%), and tetA/B (30.6%). Furthermore, multilocus sequence typing of 11 MDR isolates (n = 5, DL, and 6, cage) revealed the presence of 10 STs, of which ST10, ST155, and ST156 were found to be of public health importance. Therefore, the present study highlights the burden of MDR, ESBL, and AmpC-producing E. coli on poultry eggs and farm environment, which could be carried over to human handlers and consumers upon direct contact during handling and processing.
Insights
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, are prevalent in Indian poultry farms, especially deep litter systems. This contamination poses a significant risk to poultry products and human handlers.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli poses a significant threat to public health and food safety.
- Poultry farming environments are potential reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria, including MDR E. coli.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of MDR E. coli in poultry is crucial for implementing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and sequence types of MDR E. coli in poultry layer farms in Punjab, India.
- To compare the prevalence and characteristics of MDR E. coli between deep litter and caged farming systems.
- To identify potential sources of E. coli contamination in the poultry farm environment and their implications for food safety.
Main Methods:
- Collection of samples including eggs, feed, water, droppings, and hand swabs from deep litter and caged poultry farms.
- Isolation and identification of E. coli, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC genes.
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of selected MDR E. coli isolates.
- Logistic regression analysis to compare risk factors between farming systems.
Main Results:
- Higher E. coli contamination rates were observed in deep litter (32%) compared to caged (16.7%) farms.
- Deep litter systems showed significantly higher odds of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and ESBL/AmpC co-producing E. coli.
- Isolates from deep litter farms exhibited greater resistance to tetracycline and harbored more MDR E. coli strains.
- Specific resistance genes (bla, qnrA/B/S, tetA/B) and sequence types (ST10, ST155, ST156) of public health importance were identified.
Conclusions:
- Deep litter poultry farming systems in India are associated with a higher burden of MDR, ESBL, and AmpC-producing E. coli.
- Contaminated poultry environments pose a risk of transmission to eggs, farm workers, and consumers.
- Effective biosecurity and antimicrobial stewardship measures are essential to mitigate the spread of MDR E. coli in poultry production.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
00:57Antibiotic Selection