Assessment of the presence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus in chicken meat, eggs and faeces in Mymensingh division of Bangladesh

Abstract

The emergence of bacteria that is resistant to several drugs of clinical importance poses a threat to successful treatment, a phenomenon known as multidrug resistance that affects diverse classes of antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of multidrug-resistant <i>Escherichia</i> <i>coli</i>, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Staphylococcus</i> <i>aureus</i> in chicken egg, meat and faeces from four districts of Bangladesh. A total of 120 chicken samples were collected from different poultry farms. Conventional culture and molecular detection methods were used for identification of bacterial isolates from the collected samples followed by antibiotic susceptibility test through the disc diffusion method, finally antibiotic resistant genes were detected by PCR. <i>E.</i> coli, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Staphylococcus</i> <i>aureus</i> were detected in meat, egg and faecal samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility results revealed isolates from faeces were 100 % resistant to amoxicillin, while all <i>S.</i> <i>aureus</i> and <i>Salmonella</i> sp. from faeces were resistant to doxycycline, tetracycline and erythromycin. <i>Salmonella</i> spp. isolates from eggs indicated 100 % resistance to erythromycin, amoxycillin, while <i>E.</i> <i>coli</i> were 100 % resistant to erythromycin. <i>E.</i> <i>coli</i> and <i>S.</i> <i>aureus</i> from meat were 100 % resistant to amoxicillin and erythromycin. However, <i>Salmonella</i> spp. from eggs were 100 % susceptible to doxycycline, gentamicin, levofloxacin and tetracycline. The <i>mecA</i> and <i>aac(3)-IV</i> genes were only found in <i>S.</i> <i>aureus</i> and <i>E.</i> <i>coli</i>, respectively. The <i>Sul1,</i> <i>tetB</i>, and <i>aadA1</i> were highest in <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>S.</i> <i>aureus,</i> while the <i>sul1,</i> <i>tet</i>A and <i>bla</i> _<i>SHV</i> were higher in <i>E.</i> <i>coli</i>. Isolates from all samples were multidrug resistant. These findings indicate a high risk of transmission of resistance genes from microbial contamination to food of animal origin. The study emphasizes the need for effective biosecurity measures, responsible antibiotic use, and strict regulations in poultry production to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.