Investigations into the Role of Zoo Animals in Transmitting the Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) E. coli in the Environment

Abstract

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing E. coli (ESBL E. coli) have emerged as an important human and veterinary medicine issue. Zoo animals may act as a reservoir of ESBL E. coli responsible for transmission of ESBL E. coli to humans, animals, and the environment. A total of one hundred fecal samples were collected from zoo animals of two different zoos and analyzed for presence of ESBL E. coli. E. coli isolates (n=52) were recovered from 100 samples. The combination of CTX-M and TEM genes (32/52; 61.5%) was commonly observed in ESBL E. coli isolates followed by TEM (10/52; 19.2%) and CTX genes (5/52; 9.6%). Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of ESBL E. coli isolates showed that 100% of the isolates were resistant to more than three antibiotics. The study indicated that zoo animals may act as reservoirs for transmission of multidrug resistant ESBL E. coli to humans, animals, and environment.