Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a cause for serious concern. Poultry farming in Asia, particularly with indiscriminate use, has been identified as a major contributor to AMR, resulting in the emergence of multidrug-resista...

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Main Authors: Yuvaneswary Veloo, Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir, Rafiza Shaharudin, Sakshaleni Rajendiran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Antibiotics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/246
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author Yuvaneswary Veloo
Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir
Rafiza Shaharudin
Sakshaleni Rajendiran
author_facet Yuvaneswary Veloo
Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir
Rafiza Shaharudin
Sakshaleni Rajendiran
author_sort Yuvaneswary Veloo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> The global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a cause for serious concern. Poultry farming in Asia, particularly with indiscriminate use, has been identified as a major contributor to AMR, resulting in the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>). Considering the environment’s role in harboring pathogens, this study aimed to determine the distribution of MDR <i>E. coli</i> in the environments of broiler and indigenous farms in Klang Valley, Malaysia. <b>Methods:</b> Soil and effluent samples were collected from 30 poultry (19 broiler and 11 indigenous) farms. Selective chromogenic <i>E. coli</i> agar plates were used for the isolation of bacteria. The VITEX<sup>®</sup> 2 system was employed for identification and susceptibility testing. <b>Results:</b> A total of 117 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were recovered. The isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (76.1%), followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (47.9%), and ampicillin-sulbactam (46.2%). AMR rates were higher in broiler farms (91.3%) than in indigenous farms (64.6%) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The high multiple antibiotic resistance index in the environment of broiler farms (0.22) implies a higher risk of contamination compared to indigenous farms (0.10). <b>Conclusions:</b> The elevated levels of AMR observed in broiler farms underscore the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to address this issue. As AMR is a global One Health issue, monitoring AMR in the environment is essential to complement existing health programs. Implementing best practices, biosecurity, hygiene, continuous monitoring, and food safety management systems is crucial to reduce antimicrobial use and curb the rise of MDR bacteria.
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spelling doaj-art-926acb733fc144eab28763a3f70cdae12025-08-20T03:40:43ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-02-0114324610.3390/antibiotics14030246Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, MalaysiaYuvaneswary Veloo0Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir1Rafiza Shaharudin2Sakshaleni Rajendiran3Environmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, MalaysiaEnvironmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, MalaysiaEnvironmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, MalaysiaEnvironmental Health Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Shah Alam 40170, Malaysia<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a cause for serious concern. Poultry farming in Asia, particularly with indiscriminate use, has been identified as a major contributor to AMR, resulting in the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>). Considering the environment’s role in harboring pathogens, this study aimed to determine the distribution of MDR <i>E. coli</i> in the environments of broiler and indigenous farms in Klang Valley, Malaysia. <b>Methods:</b> Soil and effluent samples were collected from 30 poultry (19 broiler and 11 indigenous) farms. Selective chromogenic <i>E. coli</i> agar plates were used for the isolation of bacteria. The VITEX<sup>®</sup> 2 system was employed for identification and susceptibility testing. <b>Results:</b> A total of 117 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were recovered. The isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (76.1%), followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (47.9%), and ampicillin-sulbactam (46.2%). AMR rates were higher in broiler farms (91.3%) than in indigenous farms (64.6%) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The high multiple antibiotic resistance index in the environment of broiler farms (0.22) implies a higher risk of contamination compared to indigenous farms (0.10). <b>Conclusions:</b> The elevated levels of AMR observed in broiler farms underscore the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to address this issue. As AMR is a global One Health issue, monitoring AMR in the environment is essential to complement existing health programs. Implementing best practices, biosecurity, hygiene, continuous monitoring, and food safety management systems is crucial to reduce antimicrobial use and curb the rise of MDR bacteria.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/246antimicrobial resistancemultidrug resistance<i>Escherichia coli</i>chickenenvironment
spellingShingle Yuvaneswary Veloo
Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir
Rafiza Shaharudin
Sakshaleni Rajendiran
Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
Antibiotics
antimicrobial resistance
multidrug resistance
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
chicken
environment
title Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_full Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_fullStr Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_short Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia
title_sort multidrug resistant i escherichia coli i in broiler and indigenous farm environments in klang valley malaysia
topic antimicrobial resistance
multidrug resistance
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
chicken
environment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/246
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AT syahidiahsyedabuthahir multidrugresistantiescherichiacoliiinbroilerandindigenousfarmenvironmentsinklangvalleymalaysia
AT rafizashaharudin multidrugresistantiescherichiacoliiinbroilerandindigenousfarmenvironmentsinklangvalleymalaysia
AT sakshalenirajendiran multidrugresistantiescherichiacoliiinbroilerandindigenousfarmenvironmentsinklangvalleymalaysia