Prevalence and antibiogram of extended spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli Isolated from small holder dairy farms in Lamphun province, Thailand

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been occurred all around the world, with public health concerns. The AMR is also a comprehensive problem related to humans, animals, and the environment. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBLproducing E. coli) is the commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the critical priority group classified according to the greatest threat to human health by the World Health Organization (WHO). During the last decade, these problems have recently raised significant concern in the human food chain. Beef and dairy cattle are the primary food animal protein sources and reservoirs and disseminate the ESBL-producing E. coli. Despite this significant problem, however, information on the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in dairy cattle in Thailand still lacking. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli in dairy cattle, including boot swab samples, pooled fecal samples (calves, cows), bulk tank milk samples in smallholder dairy farms in Ban Hong district, Lamphun province. From 17 April 2020 to 20 May 2020, 40 registered smallholder dairy farms in Ban Hong dairy cooperatives, Ban Hong district, Lamphun province, Thailand. All samples were taken immediately to the laboratory, faculty of veterinary medicine, Chiang Mai University. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Kirby-Baur disc diffusion method) of ESBL-producing E. coli were performed according to CLSI 2014 and CLSI 2018, respectively. At the farm level, ESBL-producing E. coli was detected 82.5% (33 of 40 farms). A pair of boot swab samples were positive ESBL-producing E. coli 42.5% (17 of 40 samples). Pooled fecal samples were positive 50% in the cows’ group and 55.56% in the calves’ group, respectively. Besides, one out of bulk tank milk samples was positive 2.5%. The overall isolates, antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing E. coli were 100% resistant to beta-lactam groups and high resistance to non-beta-lactam groups, for example, oxytetracycline (91.38%), streptomycin (82.76%), and sulfamethoxazole combination with trimethoprim (81.03%), respectively. Antimicrobial resistant patterns of ESBL-producing E. coli were shown in 9 patterns from boot swab samples, 12 patterns from pooled fecal samples, one pattern from bulk tank milk sample, respectively. The study indicated that the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli was high in the study area. Moreover, the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was highly resistant to multiple antimicrobials, mainly available used in the veterinary field. Nonetheless, dairy cattle and other livestock might play an essential reservoir in transmitting pathogens to the community. Therefore, continuous surveillance on a broader scale of food animals for ESBL-production is necessary.