https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3015-9114
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Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to public and animal health. Escherichia coli is considered an indicator organism for monitoring AMR among gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae in humans and animals. The current study aims to assess the antibiogram profile of E. coli isolated from dairy cattle and in-contact humans in central Ethiopia and to identify risk factors associated with multidrug resistance (MDR).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 58 farms were recruited from selected districts of central Ethiopia. E. coli was isolated using standard bacteriological techniques. A total of 200 representative isolates (140 from cattle and 60 from humans in contact) were randomly selected and tested for susceptibility to a panel of 13 antimicrobials using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay.
Results
The highest rate of resistance was observed for sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim (58.6%, 82/140) and amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (70.0%, 42/60) among E. coli isolates from cattle and hmans, respectively. In contrast, resistance rates in isolates from in contact humans with the cattle were 30%, 33.3%, and 66.7%, respectively. Resistance to tetracycline (p=0.02), streptomycin (p=0.03), and sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim (p=0.007) was significantly high in E. coli isolated from cattle on commercial dairy farms than in those isolated from cattle on smallholder farms. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the rate of resistance between E. coli isolated from in contact humans with smallholder and commercial dairy farms. Antimicrobial use for treatment purpose (p=0.04) and non-compliance with the drug withdrawal period (p=0.03) were significantly associated with the farm-level occurrence of MDR.
Conclusion
A high rate of resistance was detected in E. coli isolated from the feces of dairy cattle and in-contact humans. This necessitates an effective intervention through a one-health approach and further molecular studies are required to establish source attribution.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
This study was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki guidelines. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Aklilu Lemma Institutes of pathobiology, Addis Ababa University (ALIPB-IRB/45/2013/21). An official Letter was written to District Livestock and Fisheries Resource Office from the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology. IRB committee approved the protocol and recommended to obtain verbal consent instead of written consent since majority of study participants were illiterate and the study does not involve invasive procedure. All information obtained from them was kept confidential. During the collection of fecal samples, the cattle were handled and treated with the utmost veterinary care.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the farm owners and study participants for their cooperation during the collection of data and samples. Additionally, they extend their thanks to Miss Azeb Teklu for her technical assistance in the laboratory.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.