Multidrug resistant Escherichia coli in backyard poultry and captive pigeons in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly multidrug resistance (MDR) in Escherichia coli (E. coli), is becoming a major concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. In this study, we aimed to identify the MDR E. coli in backyard poultry and pet pigeons in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. For this, E. coli isolates were identified from 61 cloacal swabs (36 from backyard poultry and 25 from pet pigeons) and revealed 82% (50/61) prevalence in backyard poultry and pet pigeons. E. coli isolates were further investigated for the variations in the antimicrobial resistance profiles of 12 selected antimicrobial belonging to 7 classes of antibiotics by the disk diffusion method. The antimicrobial susceptibility assay showed high resistance against erythromycin (88%), amoxicillin (82%) and tetracycline (64%). In contrast, isolates were found to be sensitive against ceftriaxone (98%), gentamicin (92%), and chloramphenicol (80%). In addition, antibiotic resistance genes (sul1 or sul2) against sulfonamides were identified in 22% of total isolates through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, 44 (88%) isolates found resistance to ≥3 antimicrobials; among them, 4 (8%) isolates showed resistance to ≥7 antimicrobials tested. The result clearly shows that, MDR E. coli isolates are commonly present in backyard poultry and pigeons in this area.