Detection and Characterisation of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Broiler Meats

The irrational use of antimicrobials has led to the emergence of resistance, impacting not only pathogenic bacteria but also commensal bacteria. Resistance against colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, mediated by globally disseminated plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance ( ) genes, has raised significant global concerns. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of colistin-resistant ( ) and mobilised colistin resistance ( 1-5) genes from broiler meat. A total of 570 broiler samples (285 liver and 285 muscle) were collected from 7 supermarkets and 11 live bird markets (LBMs) in Chattogram metropolitan areas of Bangladesh. The isolation and identification of were carried out using standard bacteriological and molecular techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and colistin's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution (BMD) method. Colistin-resistant isolates were further tested for the presence of (1-5) genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 570 samples, 311 (54.56%; 95% confidence interval: 50.46-58.60) were positive for . AST results showed the highest resistance to sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (89.39%), while the highest susceptibility was observed for cefalexin (62.70%). A total of 296 isolates (95.18%) were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR), with the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranging from 0.38 to 1. Additionally, 41 isolates (13.18%) exhibited resistance to five antimicrobial classes, with resistance patterns of CIP + SXT + AMP + DO + TE + CT. A total of 233 isolates (74.92%) were resistant to colistin (MIC > 2 mg/L). A strong correlation between colistin resistance and the presence of the -1 gene was observed (r = 1). All phenotypic colistin-resistant isolates carried the -1 gene, while no isolates were positive for (2-5). The detection of genes in strains from poultry sources poses a significant risk, as these resistance genes can be transferred to humans through the food chain. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant and the -1 gene in poultry products in Bangladesh presents a significant public health and food safety concern.