First detection of CTX-M-65 ESBL gene in Morocco: Evidence of transcontinental transmission linked to commercial exchange.

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to determine the occurrence of genes encoding antibacterial resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates recovered from poultry products.

METHOD: ology: Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disc diffusion method, and then resistance genes and virulence profiles were determined by whole-genome analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 154 poultry products, 96 (62.34 %) were E. coli. Two isolates were positive to the test of synergy between the clavulanic acid and the third generation of cephalosporin (C3G) and showed a high level of resistance to penicillins and fluoroquinolones. Besides, the isolate E2 was notably resistant to tobramycine, tigecycline, aztreonam, and chloramphenicol. Whole-genome screening showed the presence of ESBL genes, namely, blaCTX-M-65, blaEC-15, blaTEM-1, and quinolone resistance genes gyrA_S83L and parC_S80I, in addition to other resistance genes. The virulence profile did not show the presence of either of the Shiga toxin genes stx1 and sxt2; nevertheless, other virulence factors were detected, such as cvaC; responsible for the production of colicin V and iroABCDEN genes.

CONCLUSION

The results alert us about the hygienic state of poultry products and the increasing level of antibacterial resistance, and pose a potential risk that could be caused by the transmission of the antimicrobial resistance to humans through the consumption of food products, leading to a reduction of the available antibiotic treatment options.