Prevalence of the blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes among extended-spectrum beta lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens in Indonesia

Hayyun Durrotul Faridah; Freshindy Marissa Wibisono; Freshinta Jellia Wibisono; Nabilatun Nisa; Fatimah Fatimah; Mustofa Helmi Effendi; Emmanuel Nnabuike Ugbo; Aswin Rafif Khairullah; Shendy Canadya Kurniawan; Otto Sahat Martua Silaen

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2023-0025

Prevalence of the bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes among extended-spectrum beta lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens in Indonesia

J Vet Res. 2023 Jun 16;67(2):179-186. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0025. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
² Department of Veterinary Disease and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
³ Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Wijaya Kusuma, Surabaya 60225, East Java, Indonesia.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
⁵ Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, 480211 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
⁶ Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
⁷ Department of Animal Sciences, Specialisation in Molecule, Cell and Organ Functioning, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, Netherlands.
⁸ Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia.

Abstract

Introduction: Infections of humans and animals by multidrug resistant bacteria are increasing because of the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Disease management may be more challenging if Escherichia coli produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), which could cause resistance to aztreonam and third-generation cephalosporins. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of the bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes among ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from broiler chickens in Indonesia.

Material and methods: A total of 115 broiler cloacal swab samples were obtained from 22 farms and studied for the presence of E. coli. The isolates were identified using approved standard methods and were purified on eosin methylene blue agar media. The E. coli isolates were subjected to sensitivity testing using beta-lactam antibiotics, and ESBL production was confirmed by a double-disc synergy test. The presence of the bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes was identified using a PCR.

Results: It was found that 99/115 (86.1%) of the isolated E. coli were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and 34/115 (29.6%) of them were phenotypically detected to be ESBL producers. Of the 34 isolates that were confirmed ESBL producers, 32/34 (94.1%) of them harboured the bla_CTX-M and 13/34 (38.2%) the bla_TEM genes. The bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes were detected together in 12/34 (35.3%) isolates.

Conclusion: This study discovered that broiler chickens are possible reservoirs of ESBL-producing E. coli that may infect humans. Thus, a committed public health education campaign is recommended in order to mitigate the potential threat to human health.

Keywords: ESBL-producing E. coli; blaCTX; blaTEM; broiler chickens; human health.

Grants and funding

This study was supported in part by the Penelitian Hibah Mandat funding from Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia in the fiscal year 2022, with grant No. 220/UN3.15/PT/2022.