Epidemiological Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- or AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Screened in Apparently Healthy Chickens in Uganda

Abstract

The dynamics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria (which are deadly groups of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria) have not been well understood in developing countries. This raises major concerns to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control. We investigated the prevalence and factors linked to the fecal carriage of ESBL- or AmpC-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-/AmpC-EC) in commercial chickens. Cloacal swabs from 400 birds were sampled and submitted to the Central Diagnostic Laboratory for ESBL-/AmpC-EC screening by culture methods using MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime. Epidemiological data were collected using a structured questionnaire and plausible risk factor analyses prepared by R software using X2 test and logistic regression modeling. Results showed that the prevalence of ESBL-/AmpC-EC was 17.5%. Univariable screening hypothesized that carriage was probably influenced by a type of commercial chicken, geographical location, age group, flock size, and housing system ( p < 0.05 ). Modeling exposed that broiler birds were at a higher risk of being ESBL-/AmpC-EC carriers (COR = 9.82, CI = 3.85–25.07). Birds from Wakiso Town Council (COR = 4.89, CI = 2.04–11.72) and flocks of 700–1200 birds were also at a higher risk of harboring ESBL-/AmpC-EC (COR = 2.41, CI = 1.11–5.23). Birds aged 4 months and below were more susceptible to ESBL-/AmpC-EC carriage compared with those aged 1 month and below being 6.33 times (CI = 1.65–24.35) likely to be carriers. The occurrence of ESBL-/AmpC-EC in flocks suggests possible treatment failures while managing colibacillosis. Consequently, injudicious antimicrobial use should be replaced with an accurate diagnosis by bacterial culture and sensitivity testing so as to circumvent AMR emergence, spread, and associated losses.

Mastitis on selected farms in Wakiso district, Uganda: Burden, pathogens and predictors of infectivity of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in dairy herds

“…This was in agreement with studies done by Byarugaba et al (2008), Kateete et al (2013) and Turutoglu et al (2006) who reported resistance prevalences to penicillins and tetracycline in the range of 52%-86.8% and 33%-76.9%, respectively. Coincidentally, penicillins and tetracycline antibiotics are the most commonly used antimicrobial agents in Uganda (Kakooza et al, 2021). In addition, many Staphylococcus strains possess the ability to resist antibiotic therapy by the production of beta lactamase, an enzyme that inactivates penicillin and closely related antibiotics.…”

Reflections on Drivers for the Emergence and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria Detected from Chickens reared on Commercial Layer Farms in Mukono District, Uganda

“…Sample size calculations were based on recommendations from a previous study by Wang and Cheng. 8 Calculations gave a total of 222 samples taking into account a reported prevalence of 17.5% cloacal carriage of a known multidrug resistant E. coli phenotype, 9 at a confidence level of 95% and precision of 0.05. Only farms with flock sizes of 500 and above chickens were included in the study as such intensive settings have been associated with heavy use of antibiotics.…”

Phenotypic Characterization and Antibiograms of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface Using a One Health Approach Among Households in Wakiso District, Uganda

“…[17][18][19] Carbapenem drugs provide a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against ESBL-producing organisms ranging from gram-negative to gram-positive. 19,20 Despite this, there is an increasingly reported resistance of the ESBL-producing organisms to this critical class of antibiotics making them ineffective against hard-to-treat infections. 21,22 Organisms such as ESBL-EC pose a major problem for clinical therapeutics in human and animal health thus undoing the progress made in achieving sustainable development goal 3.…”