Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania

Background/Objectives: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, particularly strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and <i>Amp</i>C β-lactamases. This study aimed to isola...

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Main Authors: Anca Rus, Iulia-Maria Bucur, Kalman Imre, Andreea Talida Tirziu, Andrei Alexandru Ivan, Radu Valentin Gros, Alex Cristian Moza, Sebastian Alexandru Popa, Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan, Emil Tirziu
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Antibiotics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/578
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author Anca Rus
Iulia-Maria Bucur
Kalman Imre
Andreea Talida Tirziu
Andrei Alexandru Ivan
Radu Valentin Gros
Alex Cristian Moza
Sebastian Alexandru Popa
Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan
Emil Tirziu
author_facet Anca Rus
Iulia-Maria Bucur
Kalman Imre
Andreea Talida Tirziu
Andrei Alexandru Ivan
Radu Valentin Gros
Alex Cristian Moza
Sebastian Alexandru Popa
Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan
Emil Tirziu
author_sort Anca Rus
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, particularly strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and <i>Amp</i>C β-lactamases. This study aimed to isolate and characterize such strains from fecal samples of broiler chickens (n = 71) and slaughtered turkeys (n = 31) in northwestern Romania. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR were used to evaluate phenotypic resistance patterns and detect the presence of resistance genes (<i>Amp</i>C, <i>bla</i>Z, and <i>bla</i>TEM). Results: The results showed that 55% of turkey and 61% of broiler isolates were presumptive ESBL/<i>Amp</i>C producers. Among all isolates, 50% were classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 44% as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and only 6% were fully susceptible. Gene detection revealed an overall prevalence of 44.2% for <i>Amp</i>C, 72.7% for <i>bla</i>Z, and 58.1% for <i>bla</i>TEM, yielding a total penetrance of 51.09%. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values, ranging from 0.67 to 81, suggest the efficacy of the antibiotic susceptibility testing method used in detecting the presence of these resistance genes. Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight a significant burden of antimicrobial-resistant, poultry-associated <i>E. coli</i> strains, warranting stricter antimicrobial stewardship.
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spelling doaj-art-1e7160bb1d524b23ac13f6fdcd1d5fe32025-08-20T03:26:48ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-06-0114657810.3390/antibiotics14060578Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern RomaniaAnca Rus0Iulia-Maria Bucur1Kalman Imre2Andreea Talida Tirziu3Andrei Alexandru Ivan4Radu Valentin Gros5Alex Cristian Moza6Sebastian Alexandru Popa7Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan8Emil Tirziu9Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Piata Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaBackground/Objectives: The widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>, particularly strains producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and <i>Amp</i>C β-lactamases. This study aimed to isolate and characterize such strains from fecal samples of broiler chickens (n = 71) and slaughtered turkeys (n = 31) in northwestern Romania. Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR were used to evaluate phenotypic resistance patterns and detect the presence of resistance genes (<i>Amp</i>C, <i>bla</i>Z, and <i>bla</i>TEM). Results: The results showed that 55% of turkey and 61% of broiler isolates were presumptive ESBL/<i>Amp</i>C producers. Among all isolates, 50% were classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 44% as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and only 6% were fully susceptible. Gene detection revealed an overall prevalence of 44.2% for <i>Amp</i>C, 72.7% for <i>bla</i>Z, and 58.1% for <i>bla</i>TEM, yielding a total penetrance of 51.09%. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values, ranging from 0.67 to 81, suggest the efficacy of the antibiotic susceptibility testing method used in detecting the presence of these resistance genes. Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight a significant burden of antimicrobial-resistant, poultry-associated <i>E. coli</i> strains, warranting stricter antimicrobial stewardship.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/578extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)<i>Amp</i>Cmultidrug resistance (MDR)<i>E. coli</i>antibiotic resistance genespenetrance
spellingShingle Anca Rus
Iulia-Maria Bucur
Kalman Imre
Andreea Talida Tirziu
Andrei Alexandru Ivan
Radu Valentin Gros
Alex Cristian Moza
Sebastian Alexandru Popa
Alexandra Ban-Cucerzan
Emil Tirziu
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
Antibiotics
extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
<i>Amp</i>C
multidrug resistance (MDR)
<i>E. coli</i>
antibiotic resistance genes
penetrance
title Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
title_full Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
title_fullStr Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
title_full_unstemmed Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
title_short Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of ESBL and <i>Amp</i>C β-Lactamase-Producing <i>E. coli</i> Isolates from Poultry in Northwestern Romania
title_sort phenotypic and genotypic characterization of esbl and i amp i c β lactamase producing i e coli i isolates from poultry in northwestern romania
topic extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
<i>Amp</i>C
multidrug resistance (MDR)
<i>E. coli</i>
antibiotic resistance genes
penetrance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/6/578
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