Prevalence, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> from Domestic Free-Range Poultry in Agogo, Ghana
Charity Wiafe Akenten, Linda Aurelia Ofori, Neyaz A. Khan, Joyce Mbwana, Nimako Sarpong, Jürgen May, Thorsten Thye, Kwasi Obiri‐Danso, Ellis Kobina Paintsil, Dennis Fosu, Richard Odame Philipps, Daniel Eibach, Ralf Krumkamp, Denise Dekker
Abstract
Poultry has been suggested as an important source for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria that can lead to difficult-to treat infections in humans. Therefore, this study aims to determine the frequency, the genetics, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in domestic free-range poultry in Agogo, Ghana. The study was set up and piloted from January 2019 until June 2019. Between June and December 2019, fecal samples ( N = 144) were collected from free-roaming chickens from domestic farms in the regions of Sukuumu, Bontodiase, and Freetown and cultured on ESBL screening agar. Strain identification and antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 compact system. ESBL-producing E. coli were confirmed using the double disk synergy test. Molecular characterization of ESBL-associated genes ( bla TEM , bla SHV , and bla CTX-M ) were performed using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further sequencing of obtained PCR amplicons. The result showed that 56.2% ( n / N = 81/144) of collected fecal samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli . Majority of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline (93.8%, n / N = 76/81) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.7, n / N = 54/81), whereas resistance to carbapenems was not found. The majority of ESBL-producing E. coli carried the bla CTX-M genes, with bla CTX-M-15 being the dominant (95.1%, n / N = 77/81) genotype. In this study, we report high frequencies of ESBL-producing E. coli in smallholder free-range poultry representing a potential source of infection, highlighting the need for control of antibiotic use and animal hygiene/sanitation measures, both important from a One Health perspective.