Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry farmers and poultry slaughterers in Morocco

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study is to characterize the antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli isolates from the fecal samples of poultry workers (farmers and slaughterers), and to study the possible dissemination of resistant E. coli from poultry to humans. Methods:Sixty-four E. coli strains isolated from the fecal samples of poultry workers (33 from poultry farmers and 31 from poultry slaughterers) and 35 isolates from a control group workers were tested for antibiotic resistance by agar disk diffusion with 11 antimicrobial agents. Results:Resistance of E. coli isolated from poultry workers to tetracycline, ampicillin and norfloxacin were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those isolated from the control group. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, and most of them are susceptible to gentamicin, amikacin, cefoxitin and ertapenem. Multidrug resistance is alarmingly high in all groups, but was highest in poultry farmers isolates (84%) and poultry slaughterers isolates (80%). Approximately 25% of the E. coli isolates from poultry workers showed resistance to four or more antibiotics.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Strains Isolated From Swine, Poultry, and Farm Workers in the Respective Livestock Farming Units in Greece

“…Most of the E. coli strains that are isolated from swine and pig farm workers show high resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole in both humans and livestock. These results are consistent with those of similar studies conducted in other countries [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Antibiotic Susceptibility of β-Glucuronidase-Positive Escherichia coli Isolated from Poultry Products in Morocco

“…The susceptibility test results showed a remarkable level of antimicrobial resistance to the first-line antibiotic treatments: aminopenicillins without beta-lactamase inhibitors (58.3%), chloramphenicol (23.9%), trimethoprim (32.2%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (26%). An overall increase in ampicillin antimicrobial resistance was found in this study, in comparison to a study performed earlier in 2018 on isolates from poultry farmers and poultry slaughters (45.45% and 38%, respectively) [14]. High level of resistance to ampicillin was detected in Saudi Arabia and the United States of America (78.4% and 62%, respectively) [15,16].…”

“…Level of resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was 42.42% in 2018 [ 14 ]; the results of this study showed an increase up to 54.1%. Other results showed divergent percentages of resistance, 92.1% in Algeria and 4% in Tunisia [ 20 , 21 ].…”