Determination of antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from farm workers in broiler poultry production and assessment of antibiotic resistance awareness levels among poultry farmers in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

The challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant pathogens have continued to increase worldwide, particularly in resource-limited countries. Human-livestock interactions are implicated in the complex AMR causal web. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of Lusaka Province, Zambia to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns, ESBL production of E. coli isolated from stool samples of broiler poultry farm workers, and to assess poultry farmers' antibiotic resistance awareness. Sixty-six human stool samples were collected and processed for E. coli isolation, antibiotic resistance testing, and screened for ESBL production. In addition, 80 farmers were assessed for their level of awareness on antibiotic resistance. A total of 58 single E. coli isolates were obtained which showed high (87.9%) resistance to tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (48.3%), and ampicillin (46.8%); followed by nalidixic acid (19.0%), ciprofloxacin (12.1%), cefotaxime (8.6%) and chloramphenicol (5.2%). The prevalence of AMR E. coli was 67.2%, and 29.3% were MDR. Two (3.4%) isolates were identified to be ESBL producers, harboring the CTX-M gene. The study results also showed that broiler farmers were aware and knowledgeable of antibiotic resistance, although knowledge about its impact on human health was low. This study demonstrated the presence of resistant and ESBL producing E. coli among poultry farm workers.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from laying hens in Zambia: implications and significance on one health

“…Our findings are similar to a study that was conducted in poultry farms in Zambia. 87 Additionally, our findings are consistent with those reported in other studies. 14 , 53 , 60 , 85 , 94 The resistance of E. coli to ampicillin may indicate the misuse of penicillins in the poultry sector.…”

“…In Zambia, the misuse of enrofloxacin, a quinolone commonly used in poultry, is evidenced by the resistance rates of E. coli to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in our present study, a recent comparable study 87 and the ease of access to poultry antibiotics, 33 , 88 in Zambia. This finding aligns with similar resistance patterns of E. coli to quinolones reported in other studies.…”

“…86 Another recent study in Zambia found high (87.9%) resistance of E. coli to tetracycline. 87 The ease of access to tetracyclines in Zambia's poultry industry without prescriptions may contribute to AMR. 88 Our findings corroborate observations from other studies conducted on poultry.…”

Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Enterobacteriaceae from Diseased Broiler Chickens in Lusaka District, Zambia

“…Over the past few years, AMR among the Enterobacteriaceae family has skyrocketed worldwide [ 19 ]. Studies pertaining to AMR have frequently been reported in E. coli and Salmonella from healthy chickens [ 2 , 20 ]. In this study, the most predominant species isolated was Enterobacter (43/103, 47%), which showed multidrug resistance to tetracyclines, sulphonamides, ampicillin, and amoxicillin.…”

Integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene program with biosecurity: A One Health approach to reduce the prevalence and exposure of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the livestock community

“…In Italy, the prevalence was 23.3% [37], whereas in France, the prevalence was 5%, and in Japan, it reached 5.2% [38]. In Africa, fecal samples of Ethiopian cattle have a higher prevalence (52%) [39], whereas broiler farms in Zambia have reported lower values [40]. Pig farms in Nigeria recorded 41.2% [41], Cameroon recorded 59.1% [42], and Kenya had the highest value at 81% [43].…”