Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of E. coli Isolated from free range birds in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Escherichia coli is a major pathogen of worldwide importance in commercially produced poultry contributing significantly to economic losses in chickens, turkey and ducks. A study was conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 at 6 different farm sites located within 3 senatorial zones of Abia State, Nigeria to evaluate the antimicrobial succeptibility pattern of E. coli isolated from free ranged birds. Out of 127 samples (81.4%) of E.coli were isolated while in 28 samples (18.6%) noli, coli growth was observed. The isolates were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility using 8 commercially avaliable antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. Isolates from cockerels recorded 90, 80 and 70% sensitivity to gentamycine; kenamycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The least sensitive antibiotic were those of tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole, presenting 0.5, 4.0 and 10%. Chloramphenicol and ampicillin presented partially intermediate sensitivity of 30 and 40%, respectively. E. coli isolates from local fowl recorded 80, 70 and 60% sensitivity against gentamycin, kenamycine and ciprofloxacin. The least sensitive were tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole 0.0, 2.0 and 5%, respectively. For ducks, the values obtained were varied with gentanycin recording 70% while kenamycin and ciprofloxacme were 65 and 60%, respectively. The least sensitive were those of tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole 0.0, 2.0 and 6.0%. Ampicillin and chloramphenicol presented 40 and 30%. © Medwell Journals, 2012.