Molecular Detection of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) for the First Time in Layer Farms in Bangladesh and Their Antibiotic Resistance Patterns

Abstract

<jats:p>Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes significant economic losses in poultry industries. Here, we determined for the first time in Bangladesh, the prevalence of APEC-associated virulence genes in E. coli isolated from layer farms and their antibiotic resistance patterns. A total of 99 samples comprising internal organs, feces, and air were collected from 32 layer farms. Isolation was performed by culturing samples on eosin–methylene blue agar plates, while the molecular detection of APEC was performed by PCR, and antibiograms were performed by disk diffusion. Among the samples, 36 were positive for the APEC-associated virulence genes fimC, iucD, and papC. Out of 36 isolates, 7, 18, and 11 were positive, respectively, for three virulence genes (papC, fimC, and iucD), two virulence genes, and a single virulence gene. Although the detection of virulence genes was significantly higher in the internal organs, the air and feces were also positive. The antibiograms revealed that all the isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline; 97.2%, to chloramphenicol and erythromycin; 55.5%, to enrofloxacin; 50.0%, to norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin; 19.4%, to streptomycin; 11.1%, to colistin; and 8.33%, to gentamicin. Interestingly, all the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analysis revealed the strongest significant correlation between norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin resistance. This is the first study in Bangladesh describing the molecular detection of APEC in layer farms. Isolated APEC can now be used for detailed genetic characterization and assessing the impact on public health.</jats:p>

Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from Healthy and Diseased Turkeys

“…This overuse typically occurs without consulting any veterinarians and without any previous testing of the animals. The development of MDR bacteria in poultry has been previously reported in previous studies [22,[33][34][35]. Poultry farmers have been using different types of poultry in recent years including broilers, layers, and turkeys.…”

“…The excessive use of antibiotics in farms led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. in poultry [21,22]. High levels of antibiotic-resistant or multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli and Salmonella spp.…”

“…Single green-colored metallic-sheen colonies on EMB agar media and black-centered colonies on XLD agar media represented the growth of E. coli and Salmonella spp., respectively. For further confirmation, selected colonies were subjected to morphological study by Gram staining and biochemical tests such as the methyl red test, sugar fermentation test, Voges-Proskauer test, motility test, urease test, and indole test [22,31]. collected for analysis.…”

Zoonotic Diseases: Etiology, Impact, and Control

“…[ 99 ]. All domestic livestock, including poultry, can act as a reservoir for bacteria causing food-borne illness [ 100 , 101 , 102 ].…”

Molecular identification, genotyping of virulence-associated genes, and pathogenicity of cellulitis-derived Escherichia coli

“…[ 15 ] reported the pathogenicity of the APEC strain in the presence of five VGs. Recently, pathogenicity has been evaluated by the existence of at least three VGs, according to the genetic criteria, which enable them to survive an extraintestinal life [ 16 , 17 ]. Another study, carried out in Brazil [ 18 ], recorded a positive association between the number of VGs and the pathogenicity score of avian colibacillosis.…”