Molecular Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Resistance in Escherichia coli from Poultry Droppings in Keffi, Nigeria

.Escherichia coli (E. coli) is among the pathogens that occurs naturally in the intestinal tract of animals and is known to cause diarrhea in humans both in developed and developing countries. The detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in E. coli isolates from poultry droppings from selected poultry farms in Keffi, Nigeria was investigated. Poultry droppings were collected from farms in Keffi, Nigeria, and Escherichia coli was isolated from the samples using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentrations were evaluated as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The detection of ESBL production in E. coli isolates was carried out using double disc synergy test. In addition, molecular detection of ESBL genes was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Out of seventy-five (75) samples of poultry droppings obtained, 100% E. coli were isolated. The susceptibilities of the isolates in decreasing order with antibiotics is as follows: imipenems (82.1%), gentamicin (80.3%), cefoxitin (66.1%), cefotaxime (58.9%), ceftazidime (57.1%) and ciprofloxacin (51.7%), amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (41.3%), streptomycin (7.1%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (5.3%), Ampicillin (1.7%). The commonest antibiotic resistant phenotype was AMP-SXT-S (10.6%). Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) observed was 0.4 and 0.5 with frequencies of occurrence being 12 and 13 respectively. Out of 34 E. coli isolates jointly resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime antibiotics, 23 (30.6%) were confirmed ESBL producers. The order of percentage occurrence of ESBL genes in confirmed ESBL producing E. coli isolates were; blaSHV (95.4%), followed by blaTEM (68.1%) and blaCTX-M (50%). The E. coli isolates were more susceptible to imipenems, gentamicin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin and all the isolates were MAR. In addition, blaSHV gene was the most common ESBL gene detected in confirmed ESBL-producing E. coli isolates. The results further strengthens the assertion from studies in other places that poultry droppings are also reservoirs of ESBL-producing E. coli and are probably involved in the spread of antibiotic-resistant E. coli to other birds and humans. Further studies on isolation and characterization of ESBL enzymes from ESBL-producing isolates from poultry in Keffi, Nigeria should be carried out