Antibiograms of Commensal Escherichia Coli Isolated from Cattle in Some Selected Commercial Farms in Jos South Plateau State, Nigeria

Antimicrobials are used for livestock production in the control and treatment of infections and as growth promoters but has been abusively used over the counter in middle and low income countries where access to these drugs are met with minimal restrictions and prescriptions. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract of animals and a major reservoir of antibiotic resistant genes. The study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes of commensal E. coli isolated from cattle in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State Nigeria. Forty eight (48) fecal samples were collected from cattle in four randomly selected commercial farms, screened for E. coli, confirmed by conventional PCR and antimicrobial resistant profiles were determined using ten (10) commercial prepared antibiotic discs. Conventional PCR confirmed seven (7) isolates of E. coli equivalent to 14.58 % prevalence. The isolates showed varied phenotypic resistance to six antimicrobials, with a 100 % resistance to Reflacin (10 mm), Ceporex (10 mm) and Nalidix acid (10 mm). Thus, the findings of this study suggests the possibility of an extensive use of cephalosporin among farmers in the study area. The need for a larger implementation of surveillance programme in order to reduce and curb the spread of AMR determinant was recommended