Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Beta-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Isolated from Fish.

Ahmad, Kafeel; Siqaf, Muhammad; Abid, Gul-E-Rana; Somayya, Ramla; Qasim, Umama

Escherichia coli is a member of Enterobacteriaceae that causes gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of current study was to analyse production of extended spectrum beta lactamases and metallo beta-lactamases in E. coli isolated from fish. Fifty E. coli isolates recovered from fish samples were screened phenotypically for extended spectrum beta lactamases and metallo beta-lactamases production by disc diffusion method using the antibiotics cefotaxime (30 µg), ceftazidime (30 µg), cefepime (30 µg), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (30 µg), imipenem (10 µg) and meropenem (10 µg). Three extended spectrum beta lactamases genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV and blaOXA-10) and one metallo beta-lactamase gene (blaNDM-1) were analysed in the isolates. Eight (16%) isolates were positive for extended spectrum beta-lactamases production phenotypically. However, all isolates were negative for metallo beta-lactamases production phenotypically. The prevalence of blaCTX-M was 40% (n=20) and prevalence of blaSHV was 60% (n=30) while blaOXA-10 was not detected. The metallo beta-lactamase gene blaNDM-1 was detected in 6% (n=3) isolates. The high prevalence of beta-lactamases in E. coli isolated from fish raises serious health safety questions as these bacteria could transfer resistance genes to other pathogenic bacteria through horizontal and vertical gene transfer which could make them superbugs and non-curable through antibiotics. Hence, proper hygienic conditions should be maintained in order to stop the spread of these bacteria to human population.

BETA lactamases; ESCHERICHIA coli; HORIZONTAL gene transfer; GENOTYPES; PATHOGENIC bacteria; CEFEPIME

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2022, Vol 54, Issue 4, p1983

0030-9923

Academic Journal

10.17582/journal.pjz/20191023191007