SCREENING FOR EXTENDED-SPECTRUM BETA-LACTAMASES PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES IN FISH SAMPLE AND PROFILING FOR ANTIBIOTICS SUSCEPTIBILITY

Abstract

At present, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and other species of Enterobacteriaceae have emerged as a matter of utmost concern. Indiscriminate utilization of antimicrobials in aquaculture generates selective pressure creating reservoirs of drug-resistance genes in fish pathogens and other bacteria, which may disseminate by horizontal gene transfer and reach human pathogens. The present study aims to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) production by enterobacteria isolated from locally harbored and imported fresh and dry fishes.

Out of 235 fish samples investigated, the observed incidence of 9.78% (n=23) E. coli isolates. PCR detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli using primers specific for Bla-TEM, Bla-SHV, Bla-CTX-M. As per molecular detection by Multiplex PCR, 11 isolates exhibited Bla-TEM⁺CTX-M⁺SHV genes, and two isolates exhibited the presence of TEM genes only. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns against 12 antibiotics were studied, where it was observed that resistance to the selected drug ranges from 4.34 % to 73.9 % for 12 different antibiotics.