Molecular characterization of bla(NDM), bla(OXA-48), mcr-1 and bla(TEM-52) positive and concurrently carbapenem and colistin resistant and extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in chicken in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat and the use of antibiotics growth promoters in food animals has been implicated as a potential contributing factor in the emergence and spread of AMR. This study was conducted to investigate colistin and carbapenem resistance and extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli from live broiler chicken and chicken meat in Kelantan, Malaysia. RESULTS: Among the E. coli isolates, 37.5% (27/72 were positive for at least one of the resistance genes and one isolate was positive for mcr-1, bla(TEM-52), bla(NDM) and bla(OXA-48) whereas 4.17% (3/72) and 2.78% (2/72) were positive for mcr-1, bla(TEM-52) and bla(OXA-48), and mcr-1, bla(TEM-52) and bla(IMP). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) results revealed the presence of widespread E. coli strains belonging to the sequence types ST410 and ST155 and other extra-intestinal E. coli (ExPEC) strains. Phylogroup A made up the majority 51.85% (14/27) followed by phylogroup B1 22.22% (6/27). CONCLUSIONS: The findings imply the potential threats of colistin, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing and carbapenem resistant E. coli in food animals to the public health and underscores the need for judicious use of antibiotics in animal production and good hygiene practices to curb the rising risks of AMR.