Molecular detection of blaTEM-encoding genes in multidrug-resistant Escherichia from cloacal swabs of ducks in Indonesia farms.

BACKGROUND

Globally, there is an increasing frequency of community-acquired illnesses caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing . The presence of ESBL-producing in livestock is a concern, considering its transmission potential to humans, effects on animal health, risks to food safety, and the widespread spread of antibiotic resistance in both human and animal populations.

AIM

This study investigated the prevalence and characterization of ESBL-producing in cloacal swab samples collected from duck farms in Jombang, Indonesia.

METHODS

In total, 125 cloacal swab samples of ducks were collected from farms. Samples were processed and analyzed for isolation using standard microbiology techniques. Isolated strains were further subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and ESBL phenotypic detection using disc diffusion and double-disk synergy test techniques, respectively. Identified multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were thereafter screened for the detection of TEM ESBL gene by PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 94 (52.2%) out of the collected 180 swab samples were positive for . Twenty-five (39.1%) out of the recovered isolates were generally noted to exhibit MDR traits. Exactly 24 (96%) out of the 25 MDR strains that were selected for molecular studies harbored the TEM gene.

CONCLUSION

The detection of MDR harboring TEM ESBL gene in ducks in our study area is a significant public health problem. Therefore, strong and impactful preventive measures, which would curtail the increasing dissemination of MDR bacterial pathogens in agricultural settings, are urgently needed.