Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Poultry Farms in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is of concern to global health security worldwide. We aimed to identify the prevalence, resistance patterns, and risk factors associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistance from poultry farms in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. Between 8 February 2019 and 23 February 2020, a total of 371 samples (cloacal swabs = 259; faecal = 84; Sewage = 14, Tap water = 14) were collected. Characteristics of the sampled farms including management type, biosecurity, and history of disease were obtained using semi-structured questionnaire. Presumptive E. coli isolates were identified based on colony morphology with subsequent biochemical and PCR confirmation. Susceptibility of isolates was tested against a panel of 12 antimicrobials and interpreted alongside risk factor data obtained from the surveys. We isolated 717 E. coli samples from poultry and environmental samples. Our findings revealed that cloacal (17.8%, 46/259), faecal (22.6%, 19/84), sewage (14.3%, 2/14) and tap water (7.1%, 1/14) were significantly (p < 0.003) resistant to at least three classes of antimicrobials. Resistance to tetracycline class were predominantly observed in faecal samples (69%, 58/84), followed by cloacal (64.1%, 166/259), sewage (35.7%, 5/14), and tap water (7.1%, 1/84), respectively. Sewage water (OR = 7.22, 95% CI = 0.95–151.21) had significant association with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) acquisition. Multivariate regression analysis identified that the risk factors including sewage samples (OR = 7.43, 95% CI = 0.96–156.87) and farm size are leading drivers of E. coli antimicrobial resistance in the participating states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. We observed that the resistance patterns of E. coli isolates against 12 panel antimicrobials are generally similar in all selected states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. The highest prevalence of resistance was recorded in tetracycline (91.2%), oxytetracycline (89.1%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (73.1%), doxycycline (63%), and sulfamethoxazole (63%). A close association between different risk factors and the high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli strains reflects increased exposure to resistant bacteria and suggests a concern over rising misuse of veterinary antimicrobials that may contribute to the future threat of emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogen isolates. Public health interventions to limit antimicrobial resistance need to be tailored to local poultry farm practices that affect bacterial transmission.

Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella spp. Isolates from Poultry Farms in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…These findings were comparable to our previous study in which poultry E. coli isolated harbored sul1 -resistant genes (100%) [ 8 ].…”

“…is an almost inevitable consequence of the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry [ 7 ]. Practices such as rampant use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered in low doses for growth promotion and use of non-approved drugs or drugs used in off-label scenarios are driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary settings [ 8 ]. Of particular concern is the development of resistance to key antibiotics, such as the fluoroquinolones [ 9 ], β-lactams, and colistin [ 10 ].…”

“…Malaysia is among the top consumers of poultry meat worldwide, and the scale-up and intensification of poultry farming has led to the steady rise of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp. infections [ 8 ]. Poultry make up the largest share of livestock in Malaysia [ 11 ].…”

Antibiotic Use and Resistance Knowledge Assessment of Personnel on Chicken Farms with High Levels of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Ica, Peru

“…Future research should include more participants to address the full complexity of antibiotic knowledge and use and expand on questions specific to animal agriculture relating to current practices and beliefs concerning the antibiotic supplementation and treatment of food animals. Notably, efforts should be directed towards understanding the directionality of current practices [ 17 ] and the main drivers [ 49 , 50 , 51 ] of AMR in local poultry systems, as well as quantifying antibiotic use [ 52 ]. Temperature and humidity levels inside the poultry houses would have helped explain some of the data more accurately.…”

Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from the Poultry Farm Environment

“…In Malaysia, very limited studies have been conducted on various AR GNB in farm environments ( 8 – 12 ). Our study is the first to quantify the prevalence of eight types of MDR GNB isolated from the environment of poultry farms.…”