Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Gene Patterns Associated with Multi Drug Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Isolated from Broiler Chickens in India

Sandip S Patel; Arun C Patel; Sushil K Mohapatra; Harshad C Chauhan; Kishan K Sharma; Mehul D Shrimali; Samir H Raval; Bhavesh I Prajapati

doi:10.1007/s12088-023-01132-2

Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Gene Patterns Associated with Multi Drug Resistant Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Isolated from Broiler Chickens in India

Indian J Microbiol. 2024 Sep;64(3):917-926. doi: 10.1007/s12088-023-01132-2. Epub 2024 Jan 17.

Authors

Sandip S Patel¹, Arun C Patel¹, Sushil K Mohapatra², Harshad C Chauhan¹, Kishan K Sharma¹, Mehul D Shrimali², Samir H Raval³, Bhavesh I Prajapati⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar- Dantiwada, Banaskantha, Gujarat 385506 India.
² Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar- Dantiwada, Banaskantha, Gujarat 385506 India.
³ Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar- Dantiwada, Banaskantha, Gujarat 385506 India.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar- Dantiwada, Banaskantha, Gujarat 385506 India.

PMID: 39282195
PMCID: PMC11399534 (available on 2025-09-01)
DOI: 10.1007/s12088-023-01132-2

Abstract

In the present study, a total of 102 samples were collected from chickens of different flocks, died due to suspected colibacillosis. Bacteriological and PCR methods were applied to detect avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was determined by disk diffusion method. Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) detection was carried out via PCR by targeting blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaCTX-M groups 1, 2, and 9. Genes of eight virulence factors and class I integrons were also detected by PCR using gene specific primers. Culture, microscopic, biochemical tests and PCR recognised 69/102 (67.64%) samples as E. coli. Phenotypic AST revealed higher resistance against fluoroquinolone antibiotics, i.e., enrofloxacin (72.46%), levofloxacin (69.56%) & ciprofloxacin (66.66%), followed by amoxyclav (63.77%) and tetracycline (59.42%). Six isolates were found as pan-drug-resistant E. coli. A total of 48 (69.56%) and 7 (10.14%) isolates were positive for the presence of blaTEM and blaCTX-M-G9 genes, respectively, whereas 2 (2.90%) isolates each were found positive for blaSHV, blaOXA, and blaCTX-M-G1 genes. Among APEC associated virulence genes, iss (79.71%) was the most predominant, followed by tsh (50.72%), ast (30.43%), cvaf (26.08%), pap (23.18%), vat (8.69%) and stx-1 (1.44%). Thirty-two isolates harboured class I integrons, either with or without ESBL genes. Conclusively, the isolates under study showed pan and multiple-drug resistance, specifically against fluoroquinolone drugs. ESBL production was mediated principally through bla _TEM and blaCTX-M-G9. Multiple virulence factors, toxins, and carriage & spread factor render these as zoonotically potential pathogens for humans.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01132-2.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC); Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs); Fluoroquinolones resistance; Virulence genes.

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