Isolation and identification of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from cattle, sheep, poultry and human in Cumilla, Bangladesh

Aims: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health concern of modern civilization. The potential risk of AMR is significant in terms of both human and animal health. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial resistance pattern of selected antimicrobials against Escherichia coli of animal, poultry and human origin in the Cumilla district of Bangladesh.
Methodology and results: A total of 200 samples were collected from different sources. Isolation and identification of commensal E. coli were performed following standard bacteriological and molecular techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed following the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). A total of 152 (76%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 70-81%) E. coli were isolated from cattle, sheep, chicken and human, where 37.5% of isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). In the cultural sensitivity test, E. coli showed the highest resistance to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (71%), tetracycline (63%), ampicillin (62%), where gentamicin (23%)showed the lowest resistance, followed by ceftriaxone (26%). The prevalence of resistance genes like bla_TEM, tetA, tetB, tetC, sul1 and sul2 were 100%, 95%, 11%, 8%, 58% and 52%, respectively. 
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The emergence of multidrug-resistant commensal E. coli and resistance genes circulating in animals, poultry and humans limit the treatment options for serious infections.