Abstract

---

The transmission of the members of the Enterobacteriaceae family with extended spectrum has become a cause for concern. Food animals have been researched to be reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance especially in developing part of the world where there is indiscriminate prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal farming. This study investigated molecular identification and antibiotics resistance of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobactericeae isolated from duck droppings. A total of twenty-two (22) isolates from forty (40) duck dropping samples in this study were Gram negative bacteria. The isolation of associated Enterobacteriaceae from the duck droppings was carried out using the standard microbiological methods, ESBL phenotypic detection was carried out using combination disc test and double disc synergism test. The major findings were the presence of multidrug resistant Citrobacter freundii 7(31.82%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 7(31.82%), Proteus spp. 3(13.64%), and Serratia marcescens 5(22.72%) to commonly used antibiotics such as ceftazidime, cefixime, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, augmentin and cefuroxime. Double disk synergy test showed 5(22.72%) were ESBL producers which include: Citrobacter freundi 3(42.86%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 1(14.29%) and Proteus spp. 1(33.33%). The PCR amplification of the ESBL genes in the five isolates to blaTEM ESBL gene revealed a negative result bands corresponding to blaTEM ESBL though positive for ESBL production. This could be as a result of expression of other genes like CTX, SHV, OXA and other types. This research shows that ducks are also reservoir of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae which calls for concern. There is, therefore need for more stringent measures and policies to be put in place by public health regulatory bodies to check misuse of antibiotics in food-animal farming in Nigeria.

Keywords: ESBLs, Enterobacteriaceae, duck droppings and blaTEM gene