Vol. 11, Special Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
Shivakumar R, Wilfred Ruban S, Srikrishna Isloor, Ahlen IG Barry, Rathnamma D, Sharada R and Ravikumar P

Abstract:
A cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of E. coli isolated from healthy piglets from 10 organized pig farms located in and around Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Fecal samples from 40piglets (4 piglets from each farm) were collected and were used for isolation and characterization of E. coli based on biochemical methods. E. coli was isolated from all the samples. A total of 106 E. coli isolates obtained from healthy piglets and were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility testing based on disc diffusion assay against 13commonly used antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine. The results revealed that majority of the isolates were resistant to Tetracycline (94.34%) followed by fluoroquinolones group viz., Enrofloxacin (89.62%), Ciprofloxacin (79.24%) and Ampicillin (60.38%). All the isolates in the present study were 100 per cent sensitive to carbapenem group of antibiotic tested (Imipenem and Meropenem). In the present study, it was evident that isolates from piglets were found to be sensitive to aminoglycoside group (Gentamicin-94.34%, Amikacin-990.6% and Neomycin-97.17%), Chloramphenicol (74.53%) and Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid (82.08%). The phenotypic characterization confirmed the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase E. coli at 33.02 per cent. In all, 83.02 per cent (88/106) of E. coli isolates were Multidrug resistant (MDR) were being resistant to one antimicrobial agent in three or more antimicrobial classes. The study clearly indicated higher presence of multidrug resistant E. coli in healthy piglets indicating its public health significance and potential of such piglets being a major source in dissemination of AMR E. coli in the entire pork production chain.