Molecular identification of blaTEM gene of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from healthy pigs in Malang district, East Java, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE

The increase and prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in livestock animals are serious public health concerns. This study aimed to identify the presence of the blaTEM gene in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolated from rectal swabs of apparently healthy pigs in Malang District, East Java, Indonesia.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 120 rectal swab samples were collected from the pigs. The rectal swabs were screened for the presence of E. coli using standard microbiological identification procedures. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method identified multidrug-resistant E. coli. Five different classes of antibiotics were used to identify multidrug-resistant isolates, including Ciprofloxacin, Trimethoprim, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, and Aztreonam. Multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates were characterized for the presence of ESBL using double-disk synergy test methods. The presence of blaTEM genes was determined using polymerase chain reaction methods.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated that 107 (89.2%) out of 120 samples analyzed were positive for E. coli isolates. A total of 32 (29.9%) E. coli isolates were identified to be multidrug-resistant and further subjected to molecular testing. The molecular analysis revealed (5; 15.6%) E. coli isolates to harbor the blaTEM gene.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study revealed that pigs and products of pork origin must be considered a source of transmission of ESBL-producing E. coli to public health important under the food chain.