Cross-Sectional Study for Detection and Risk Factor Analysis of ESBL-Producing Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Associated with Backyard Chickens in Pakistan

Abstract

The increasing incidence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia (E.) coli in backyard chicken farming in Pakistan is of serious concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance patterns and risk factors associated with ESBL avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolated from backyard chickens in the Jhang district, Punjab, Pakistan. In total, 320 cloacal swabs were collected from four breeds of backyard chicken (Aseel, Golden, Misri and Necked Neck). ESBL E. coli were phenotypically identified using double disc synergy test (DDST) and corresponding genes were confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). Out of the 320 samples, 164 (51.3%) were confirmed as E. coli, while 74 (45.1%) were characterized as ESBL E. coli. The frequency of isolation of ESBL E. coli was highest in Aseel chickens (35.1%). Of the 164 confirmed E. coli, 95.1%, 78.6%, 76.8%, 71.3%, 70.1%, 68.9%, 60.4% and 57.3% were resistant against tylosin, doxycycline, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, colistin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol and gentamicin, respectively. The ESBL gene types detected and their corresponding proportions were blaCTX-M (54.1 %, 40/74), blaTEM, (12.2%, 9/74) and co-existence (blaCTX-M and blaTEM) were shown in 33.8% (25/74). The blaCTX-M gene sequence showed homology to blaCTX-M-15 from clinical isolates. The mean multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was found to be higher among ESBL E. coli (0.25) when compared to non-ESBL E. coli (0.17). Both free-range husbandry management system (p = 0.02, OR: 30.00, 95% CI = 1.47–611.79) and high antimicrobial usage in the last 6 months (p = 0.01, OR: 25.17, 95% CI = 1.81–348.71) were found significantly associated with isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli in the tested samples using binary logistic regression analysis. This study confirmed the potential of backyard chickens as a reservoir for ESBL E. coli in the Jhang district, Punjab, Pakistan.

Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella Species Isolates from Chickens in Live Bird Markets and Boot Swabs from Layer Farms in Timor-Leste

“…Antimicrobial resistance based on the DDT results for E. coli isolates from local chickens was lower than reported in other countries focusing on a similar target population of backyard chickens [55][56][57]. This could be due to the lack of access to government veterinary services in Timor-Leste [58], which is a common source of antimicrobials for most backyard farmers [17].…”

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of E. coli Isolated from Various Sources of Broiler Farms in District Quetta, Balochistan

“…Mortality rates associated with colibacillosis can also vary. The disease can lead to dehydration, septicemia, and secondary infections, which can have detrimental effects on the affected birds' health and survival (Saeed et al, 2023).…”

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“…Of particular concern is the high APEC resistance to polymyxin found in many countries and regions. Polymyxin resistance of 70.1% was detected in isolates in Pakistan (Saeed et al, 2023). In the coastal regions of China, 42.1% of isolated strains show resistance to polymyxin and carry the mcr-1 gene (Hu Z. et al, 2022).…”