Evaluation of Updated Phylogenetic group Analysis among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing and Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Colisepticemia in Poultry

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

• Mohammad Nasrabadi ¹
• Faezeh Berenjkar ¹
• Maryam Hashemabadi ²
• Mahdi Askari ¹
• Gholamreza Hashemitabar ¹

¹ Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

² Biotechnology Department, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran

10.22067/jcmr.2024.87792.1093

Abstract

Escherichia coli is reported as the most common organism in humans and animals and has been identified as a critical priority bacterium due to antibiotic resistance by World Health Organization (WHO). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli strains have emerged as a significant global health challenge worldwide due to the difficulty in treating related infections. Poultry has been recognized as an important reservoir of E. coli and may play a crucial role in transmitting these strains to humans. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing and MDR E. coli isolated from poultry and to investigate their association with different phylogenetic groups. The current study was conducted on a collection of 100 E. coli isolates from colibacillosis in poultry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, ESBL production, and the prevalence of ESBL-mediated genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaCTX-M) were assessed. Phylogenetic groups were analyzed using both the Clermont 2013 and 2019 updated methods.  The highest resistance rates were observed against tetracycline (88%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (86%), and chloramphenicol (70%). The frequencies of ESBL production and MDR were 41% and 70%, respectively. The blaTEM gene was the most prevalent among isolates, with a frequency of 48%. Phylogenetic group analysis assigned E. coli isolates to B1 (23%), D (22%), A (10%), G (11%), F (8%), B2 (5%), and C (4%). Implementing antimicrobial stewardship is crucial because the circulation of ESBL-producing E. coli and MDR isolates poses a significant threat to both human and veterinary medicine. Furthermore, our results revealed a notable prevalence of phylogroup G in poultry, which is the first report of this finding in Iran.

Keywords

• E. coli
• ESBL
• multi-drug resistant
• Collibaciloosis
• phylogroup analysis
• poultry