Prevalence, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Domestic Free-Range Poultry in Agogo, Ghana

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Abstract
Poultry has been suggested as an important source for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria that can lead to difficult-to treat infections in humans. Therefore, this study aims to determine the frequency, the genetics, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in domestic free-range poultry in Agogo, Ghana. The study was set up and piloted from January 2019 until June 2019. Between June and December 2019, fecal samples ( N = 144) were collected from free-roaming chickens from domestic farms in the regions of Sukuumu, Bontodiase, and Freetown and cultured on ESBL screening agar. Strain identification and antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 compact system. ESBL-producing E. coli were confirmed using the double disk synergy test. Molecular characterization of ESBL-associated genes ( bla TEM , bla SHV , and bla CTX-M ) were performed using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further sequencing of obtained PCR amplicons. The result showed that 56.2% ( n / N = 81/144) of collected fecal samples were positive for ESBL-producing E. coli . Majority of the isolates showed resistance to tetracycline (93.8%, n / N = 76/81) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (66.7, n / N = 54/81), whereas resistance to carbapenems was not found. The majority of ESBL-producing E. coli carried the bla CTX-M genes, with bla CTX-M-15 being the dominant (95.1%, n / N = 77/81) genotype. In this study, we report high frequencies of ESBL-producing E. coli in smallholder free-range poultry representing a potential source of infection, highlighting the need for control of antibiotic use and animal hygiene/sanitation measures, both important from a One Health perspective.

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