Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157: H7 Serotype from Chicken Droppings Produced by Free - Ranged and Poultry Birds in Cross River, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from chicken droppings produced by free ranged and poultry birds at different locations within Cross River State, Nigeria and their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. A total of 360 cloacal swab samples each were randomly collected from poultry (confined) and free ranged (unconfined) chickens. Standard cultural, biochemical, and serological (latex agglutination) methods were used to isolate E. coli O157:H7. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disc diffusion method. Out of a total number of 360 anal swab samples collected from poultry and free-ranged chicken, 24 (6.67%) strayed and 7 (1.94%) poultry samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 and the prevalence values differed significantly (p<0.05) among the group of birds. Values for age category among the free-ranged birds also differed significantly (p<0.05) with strayed chicks (1-3weeks old) having highest value of 10.89%. Out of the 9 isolates screened, 8 (88.89%) were resistant to tetracycline, 7 (77.78%) to ampicillin and nitrofurantoin and 6 (66.67%) to chloramphenicol. All isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. This study reveals that the intestinal track of chicken harbors the bacterial pathogen hence interventions are needed to reduce transmission of E. coli O157:H7 via poultry products.

&lt;i&gt;Campylobacter, Salmonella&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Escherichia coli&lt;/i&gt; Food Contamination Risk in Free-Range Poultry Production System

“…The authors demonstrated that both the confined and free-range production systems harbor E. coli O157:H7 but free-range birds had the highest prevalence. They argued that the low prevalence among confined birds could be due to regular administration of antibiotics by which most poultry farmers tend to protect the birds against infection [38]. A similar result was also reported in poultry farms in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria [68].…”

“…A graphical representation of the common microbial contamination and control in free-range poultry production. Ireland 510 raw chicken products 5.1 [33] Escherichia coli Nigeria 6 study areas 11.67 [38] Ethiopia 194 cloacae swabs 13.4 [40] Cameroun 150 chickens 92.7 [41] New Caledonia 150 chickens 96.7 [41] emphasized that proper handling of poultry meat, irrespective of the production system, is important and should be taken seriously. Microbial eggshell contamination in both cage and free-range nests is comparable from well-managed facilities.…”

“…Moreover, the authors argued that all the groups get their food from a common source and as such get exposed to the same environmental conditions [39]. Resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol were observed when 9 isolates were screened against 11 commonly used veterinary antibiotics [38]. One important method of preventing Salmonella in poultry is vaccination.…”

Antibiotics Profile and Public Health Implication of Pathogenic Enteric Bacteria Associated With Poultry Stool

“…The isolation of E. coli was as low as 11% in free range birds of Nigeria in a study carried out by Joseph et al [23]. The variability in these findings could possibly be as a result of the differences in the type of poultry system, type of sample used and the age of the birds.…”

Sorbitol non-fermenting Escherichia coli and E. coli O157: prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of strains in slaughtered food animals in Southeast Nigeria

“…coli and E. coli O157 in food animals are available [13, 18–23]. These available Nigerian studies were conducted in the Northcentral, Southwest and Southsouth regions of the country; with reported prevalence rates ranging from 0.8–67.5%.…”