Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), responsible for colibacillosis in chickens, is a very important economical infectious bacterium. To treat, control and manage this wide spread infection in chicken production, antimicrobial agents are widely used. In addition, antimicrobial agents are also used to stimulate growth. Antimicrobial resistance in APEC can progress and spread as a result of indiscriminate use of these antimicrobial agents, in addition to poor antibiotic selection, misuse, and overuse. This study was designed to identify extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), metallo-β-lactamases (MBL), integrons, and investigate genetic heterogeneity among 65 APEC strains isolated from necropsies, with clinical signs of colibacillosis. The samples were obtained from broiler farms in Northern Palestine. Multiplex PCR approach was employed to detect ESBL genes and integrons, while RAPD-PCR was utilized to assess genetic diversity among the isolates. The results revealed that the incidence of ESBL genes was 100, 44.6, 1.6, 0.0 and 0.0% for blaTEM, blaCTX, blaOXA, blaKPC and blaSHV, respectively. The MBL genes were found in 72.3, 3.1, and 0.0% for the blaSIM, blaVIM, and blaSPM, respectively. In all, 100, 35.4 and 0.0% of isolates had the intI1, intI2 and intI3 genes, respectively. Integron, ESBL, and MBL gene patterns, as well as RAPD-PCR patterns, revealed that these isolates were genetically diverse. The β-lactamase genes test results revealed that broiler chicken products in Palestine may serve as a reservoir for these genes, posing a public health danger. As a result, the careful use of antimicrobials and full surveillance for resistant strains on chicken farms and hatcheries are crucial in limiting the selection and dissemination of extremely dangerous APEC strains.
 

Title

Pak Vet J

Publisher

Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Publisher Country

Pakistan

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

5.4

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

3

Year

2025

Pages

8