Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Detected in Pig Faecal Samples from Anambra State

Aim: Pig farmers use antibiotics for therapeutic, metaphylaxis, prophylaxis and growth promotion in their farm animals. This work was aimed to determine the antibiogram of Escherichia coli isolated from pig faecal samples from pig farms in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State.

Materials and Methods: A total of 80 faecal samples were collected from forty pig farms in the three senatorial zones (Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South) of Anambra State from February, 2018-January, 2019 and analyzed microbiologically using MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar and appropriate culture conditions. Recovered isolates were further characterized based on their morphological and biochemical features. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was tested to 10 conventional antibiotics using Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method.

Results: A total of 140 Escherichia coli isolates were recovered and characterized. Percentage occurrences were 36.4, 30.1 and 33.5 in Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the bacterial isolates revealed that resistance of the isolates ranged from 7% resistance to Imipenem to 67% resistance to Streptomycin. A one way analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p >0.05) in resistance to imipenem, amoxicillin/clavulanic, ceftazidime, tetracycline, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol and significant difference (p < 0.05) in resistance to streptomycin and cefotaxime in the three senatorial zones studied. 51.4% of the isolates were multidrug resistant.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in piggery have resulted in antibiotic resistance in isolates from pig faecal samples. Policies regarding prudent use of antibiotics in pig farms should be enforced to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.