ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES FROM SHEEP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DJELFA, ALGERIA

In order to estimate the rate of antimicrobial resistance in sheep, a total of 25 Escherichia coli isolated from feces of diarrheic and non diarrheic sheep presented to a veterinary practitioner excreting in the locality of Hassi Bahbah in the Department of Djelfa, Algeria were assessed and tested for their resistance to 12 antimicrobial agents by disk diffusion plates. Results showed that E coli have a High antibiotic resistance for ampicillin (100%) and amoxicillin (96%) and a moderate rate for tetracycline (36%). A low multidrug resistance rate was also reported. Results showed also that E coli strains have low resistance rates for the other antibiotics that dont exceed 12%. Furthermore, all the strains are sensitive to colistin and gentamycin. Low multi-drug resistance rate was also reported. This study has reported for the first time the rate of resistance of E coli from sheep which seems to be lower than other farm animals but suggest the need for the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in livestock