A study was conducted to know the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in fecal samples of pigs and broiler chicken. Fecal swabs were collected from apparently healthy animals and birds using sterile swabs. From a flock of 6000 birds, and a herd of 550 pigs, 50 samples each, were collected randomly. E. coli was isolated from all the broiler chicken samples, and 82% pig samples. AMR studies revealed 42% and 36.58% E. coli, respectively from chicken and pigs as ESBL producers. Beta lactam genes, blaTEM and blaCTX-M were detected, however, the isolates were negative for blaSHV and blaOXA genes. About 47.61% and 46.66% E. coli of chicken and pigs, respectively showed presence of beta lactam genes. Chicken isolates were resistant to cefixime (96%), tetracycline (88%), and ciprofloxacin (94%). While, pig isolates were resistant to cefazolin (100%), ciprofloxacin (65.85%) and gentamicin (51.21%). High degree of sensitivity was recorded for imipenem and trimethoprim. Multidrug resistant E. coli showing resistance to three or more group of antimicrobials were also recorded. This study is significant in the context of AMR highlighting the importance of pigs and chicken in carrying ESBL type E. coli.

Highlights

• ESBL type of antimicrobial resistance was detected in E. coli isolated from pigs and broilers.
• blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes encoding ESBL resistance were detected.
• Multi-drug resistant E. coli strains are present in the feces of pigs and broilers.