Multi-drug Resistant <i>Escherichia Coli</i> from Poultry: A Potential Source of Antimicrobial Resistance Spread in Poultry Farm Environment

Background: Escherichia coli is known to inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of poultry and other animals. E. infection can cause major economic losses in production. The development resistance commonly used antimicrobials treatment such be a setback sector. Objective: This study was carried out determine antibiotic profile isolated from chickens Imo State, Nigeria. Materials Methods: Twelve farms were selected across 3 senatorial zones state using purposive random sampling. A total 120 cloacal samples collected sterile swabs. streaked onto MacConkey agar (MCA) incubated at 37o C overnight. Pink colonies on MCA eosin-methylene blue agar, for 24 hours C, confirmed by indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer, citrate (IMVIC) tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test disc diffusion technique, inhibition zone diameter measured recorded as resistant or susceptible. Results: Twenty isolates identified coli. highly 5 antibiotics 10 used. Antibiotic patterns follows: amoxicillin (AMP) (95%), cephalothin (CEP) (90%), nalidixic acid (NA) (85%), trimethoprim (SXT) cefoperazone (PEF) (80%), ampicillin (70%) ofloxacin (OFX) (15%), ciprofloxacin (CIP) (10%), gentamicin (CN) streptomycin (S) (10%). Sixteen with AMC-SXT-AMP-CEP-NA-PEF being most prevalent. Conclusion: shows that multi-drug strains are present State.