Multiple antibiotic resistances in escherichia coli isolated from Cattle and Poultry Faeces in Abraka, South-south Nigeria

Rise in antibiotic resistance among clinical and environmental isolates in Nigeria is becoming worrisome. The unprofessional sales and consumption of veterinary antibiotics together with lack of adequate sanitation and hygiene during slaughtering, processing and consumption of cattle and poultry products in Abraka, Delta State of Nigeria, could spread antibiotic resistant bacteria to the surrounding environments. A study was therefore conducted to isolate Escherichia coli from 200 poultry litters and 200 cattle feaces and screen them for beta-lactamases. Antimicrobial susceptibility of 412 E. coli strains isolated from 400 samples of fresh and dry faeces of cattle and poultry and 25 samples each of rectal and cloacae swabs were carried out. All the strains were screened phenotypically for extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase and metallo beta-lactamase (MBL). Results showed a high incidence of resistance to all the antibiotics except meropenem. Resistance to nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim reached 80- 90%, while resistance to other beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones ranges from 40-60%, and over 50% of them exhibited multidrug resistance. Strains of E. coli from poultry droppings are more resistant to antibiotics than their counterparts from cow dungs. ESBL, carbapenemase and MBL production was detected in 10.5, 5.26 and 7.89% of isolates from cow dungs and 27.2, 10.2 and 6.81% isolates from poultry droppings. High level of antibiotic resistance and incidence of ESBL, carbapenemase, and MBL have public health implication as poor sanitation, poor water supply and lack of personal hygiene among the handlers, processors and consumers are very high in the locality