Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania

Background/Objectives: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, particularly strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and <i>Amp</i>C β-lactamases. This study aimed to isola...

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Main Authors: Anca Rus, Iulia-Maria Bucur, Kalman Imre, Andreea Talida Tirziu, Andrei Alexandru Ivan, Radu Valentin Gros, Alex Cristian Moza, Sebastian Alexandru Popa, Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan, Emil Tirziu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Antibiotics
Subjects:
extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
<i>Amp</i>C
multidrug resistance (MDR)
<i>E. coli</i>
antibiotic resistance genes
penetrance
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/578
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Summary:Background/Objectives: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, particularly strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and <i>Amp</i>C β-lactamases. This study aimed to isolate and characterize such strains from fecal samples of broiler chickens (n = 71) and slaughtered turkeys (n = 31) in northwestern Romania. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR were used to evaluate phenotypic resistance patterns and detect the presence of resistance genes (<i>Amp</i>C, <i>bla</i>Z, and <i>bla</i>TEM). Results: The results showed that 55% of turkey and 61% of broiler isolates were presumptive ESBL/<i>Amp</i>C producers. Among all isolates, 50% were classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 44% as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and only 6% were fully susceptible. Gene detection revealed an overall prevalence of 44.2% for <i>Amp</i>C, 72.7% for <i>bla</i>Z, and 58.1% for <i>bla</i>TEM, yielding a total penetrance of 51.09%. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values, ranging from 0.67 to 81, suggest the efficacy of the antibiotic susceptibility testing method used in detecting the presence of these resistance genes. Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight a significant burden of antimicrobial-resistant, poultry-associated <i>E. coli</i> strains, warranting stricter antimicrobial stewardship.
ISSN:2079-6382

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