Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in chickens from small-scale commercial poultry farms in Maiduguri.
Materials and Method: A total of 96 cloacal swab samples were collected. This comprised of 24 samples each from Broiler chicks, Pullets, Layers and Broilers (adults). The samples were examined for the presence of E. coli using conventional microbiological culture and biochemical tests. The E. coli isolates were tested for susceptibilities against some selected β-lactam antibiotics which includes; cefotaxime (30µg), ceftriaxone (30µg), cefpodoxime (10µg), aztreonam (30µg) and ceftazidime (30µg). E. coli isolates that showed resistance to any two or three of the antibiotics were selected and screened for ESBL production by culturing on BrillianceTM ESBL agar and subsequent confirmation by combination disk diffusion method with ceftazidime (30 µg) and cefotaxime (30 µg) alone and in combination with clavulanic acid (30 µg/10 µg).
Results: The occurrence of E. coli was 67.6% (65/96) with 83.3% (20/24) from broiler chicks and 54.2% (13/24) from layers. Out of this, 32.0% were ESBL-producing E. coli with the highest occurrence from layers (38.5%) and least occurrence from pullets (26.7%).
Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli in chickens from backyard poultry farms in Maiduguri. Thus, indicating that chickens may serve as important reservoirs for transmission of antimicrobial resistance pathogens to humans through the food chain.

Key words: Antimicrobials, Chickens, ESBL-E. coli, Maiduguri