Research Article - Microbiology: Current Research (2018) Volume 2, Issue 2

Bacteriological and antibiogram of AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from abattoir.

Owing to the continued threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is critical that farmers and clinicians take the necessary steps to use antibiotics rationally in their respective practices, and only opt for it when all other options must have been exhausted. AmpC enzymes mediate bacteria resistance to the cephamycins such as cefotetan and cefoxitin which are important antibiotics used clinically to treat and manage bacterial related infections. This study phenotypically evaluated the prevalence and antibiogram of Enterobacteriaceae that produced AmpC enzymes. Fifty (50) anal swab samples from the anal region of cows in an abattoir in Abakaliki, Nigeria were bacteriologically analyzed. The isolation and identification of bacteria isolates were carried out using standard microbiology techniques. Antibiogram was evaluated using disk diffusion technique while AmpC enzyme production was detected using the ceftazidime imipenem antagonism test. Our results show that a total of 7 (14%) E. coli and 12 (24%) isolates of Klebsiella species was isolated. The antibiogram results showed that the isolated Klebsiella species and E. coli isolates exhibited reduced susceptibility to cloxacillin (100%), ertapenem (83.3%), cefoxitin (66.7%) and ceftazidime (58.3%) for Klebsiella species; and cefoxitin (71.4%), ertapenem (28.6%) and ceftazidime (28.6%) for isolates of E. coli. AmpC enzyme production was detected in 5 (71%) isolates of E. coli and 9 (75%) isolates of Klebsiella species. The AmpC producing E. coli and Klebsiella species were multiply resistant to over 4 antibiotics found in the class: fluoroquinolones, carbapenems, aminoglycosides and penicillins. Antibiotic usage in animal husbandry allows drug resistant bacteria such as those that produce AmpC enzymes to evolve and spread. This has implication for the general public since AmpC producing bacteria are notably resistant to 2nd generation cephalosporins which are used clinically for the treatment of serious bacterial infections. Continuous monitoring of the antibiotic resistance profile in abattoir and poultry isolates is recommended as a panacea to contain the problem of antibiotic resistance in the non-hospital environment.

Author(s): Ejikeugwu C, Nworie O, Agah M.V, Oguejiofor B, Ovia K, Nworie C.O, Iwunze A.C, Nwambeke A, Edeh C

Abstract Full Text PDF