Antimicrobial Resistance of Shigatoxin Producing Escherichia coli 0157:NM Isolates from Water Fed to Cattle in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli 0157:NM (STEC 0157:NM) was isolated from water fed to cattle, and its resistance to antimicrobial agents was determined. 500 water samples were collected from cattle establishments in northwestern Nigeria from December 2002 to June 2006. Serological confirmation and Shiga toxin production were carried out using kits (Oxoid, Basingstoke England). Resistance to 16 antimicrobials was tested by the standardized disc diffusion method. STEC 0157:NM was isolated from 0.4% of the samples. The isolates were resistant to several commonly used antimicrobial agents in livestock health and production. There was no resistance to chloramphenicol and fluoroquinolones, but quinolone resistance was observed. The emergence of STEC 0157:NM in water used for feeding cattle in northwestern Nigeria might pose a serious health hazard to livestock and humans. Legislation on import control of livestock, veterinary drug acquisition and use and public education on drug use and its implications were essential to manage this threat to public health and the livestock industry.