Antimicrobial Resistance Factors of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Cattle Farms and Raw Beef in North-West Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae cause severe infections in humans which leads to complicated diseases. There is increasing evidence that cattle contribute to the development and spread of multidrug resistant pathogens and this raises public health concern. Despite this, data on the concurrence of ESBL producing pathogens in cattle, especially in the North-West province are rare. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to isolate, identify and characterise ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae species from cattle faeces and raw beef samples. RESULTS: A total of 151 samples comprising 55 faeces samples and 96 raw beef samples were collected and 259 nonreplicative potential isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were obtained. One hundred and ninety-six isolates were confirmed as E. coli (114; 44%) and K. pneumoniae (82; 32%) species through amplification of uspA and uidA and ntrA gene fragments, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that large proportions (66.7–100%) of the isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, Aztreonam, Ceftazidime, Cefotaxime, and Piperacillin and were multidrug resistant isolates. Cluster analysis of antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data revealed close similarities between isolates from different sources or species thus suggested a link in antibiotic exposures. The isolates showing phenotypic resistance against ESBL antimicrobial susceptibility tests were screened for the presence of ESBL gene determinants. It was observed that 53.1% of the isolates harboured ESBL gene determinants. The blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M genes were detected in E. coli isolates (85.5%, 69.6%, and 58%, respectively) while blaCTX-M and blaOXA were detected in K. pneumoniae (40% and 42.9%, respectively). All the genetically confirmed ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were subjected to Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC) PCR analysis. Fingerprinting data revealed great similarities between isolates from different areas and sources which indicates cross-contamination between cattle and beef. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that cattle and its associated food products, beef in particular, harbour ESBL producing pathogens. And this warrants a need to enforce hygiene measures and to develop other mitigation strategies to minimise the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens from animals to human.