Detection of extended spectrum beta lactam producing Escherichia coli isolated from Cyprinus carpio in Mosul city

Abstract

Extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli constitute an emerging health problem globally, fish act as a potential reservoir for ESBLs E. coli and serve as a vehicle of transmission of ESBL resist genes to others strains of bacteria. A total of 75 samples of Cyprinus carpio were collected from the local fish market of Mosul city during the period between) October 2021 to February 2022(. each sample was placed separately in a sterile plastic bag and transported directly under cooling conditions to the microbiology lab, College of Veterinary Medicine. ESBLs producing Escherichia coli were isolated and characterized using MacConkey agar medium supplemented with 2 mcg/ml cefotaxime. Twenty-six isolates 34% of fish gut samples were obtained. A polymerase chain reaction was carried out to confirm the results of the isolation using special primers for E. coli (ECO223-f, ECO223-r). Resistance genes assay were performed using the primers Cefotaxamase (CTX-M) and sulphydryl variable (SHV). All isolates showed that possessed the CTX-M gene 100%, while none of the isolates possessed the SHV gene. This study showed that fish play a major role in the transmission of broad-spectrum beta-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli to humans as a result of handling or marketing it, or by consuming contaminated or infected fish.