136 Resistance Profile of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases and carbapenem Resistant Escherichia coli from food producing animals in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as one of the most pressing global public health concerns of the 21st century, ranking among the top five threats. A particularly alarming trend is the increasing prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in food-producing animals, posing a significant risk to human health. As ESBL and Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae can spread resistant bacterial infections, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food animals accelerates the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Furthermore, Africa’s growing animal-based food production, particularly in Nigeria, raises concerns about AMR’s impact on food security, economic development, and public health. This study investigates the presence and resistance profile of ESBL and CRE phenotypes in Escherichia coli isolated from cattle and pig feces in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods/Case Report Two hundred fresh animal fecal samples (pigs n = 100, cattle n = 100) were collected from two different abattoirs in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The freshly passed fecal samples from pigs and colon samples from cattle were aseptically collected using sterile swabs and transported to the laboratory in ice packs. Upon arrival, the samples were cultured on MacConkey and Eosin Methylene Blue agar to isolate Escherichia coli. The isolates were then characterized and identified using a series of biochemical tests. The presumptive E. coli isolates were further confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). ESBL and Carbapenem resistance were determined using the Double disk synergism test and Brilliance ESBL Agar/Brilliance CRE Agar, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the agar diffusion method, following the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results This study identified 154 E. coli isolates from cattle (n = 100) and pigs (n = 54), with 32 isolates (28 from cattle, 4 from pigs) exhibiting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production. No Carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates were detected. The most common antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes were against beta-lactam antibiotics, including ampicillin (84.1%), cefuroxime (65.6%), cefotaxime (95.5%), and ceftazidime (95.5%). All ESBL-producing E. coli isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). Notably, ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from cattle showed concurrent resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol Conclusion This study demonstrates the presence and spread of multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing E. coli in cattle and pigs in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The high prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in these animals poses a significant risk to public health, as these bacteria can be transmitted to humans through the food chain. The detection of concurrent resistance to multiple antibiotics in ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from cattle is alarming and highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance in livestock.