# Molecular Screening and Antibiogram Profile of Multidrug‐Resistant Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated From Retail Chicken Meat

## TL;DR

This study found multidrug-resistant EPEC in retail chicken meat in Bangladesh, highlighting public health risks and the need for better food safety practices.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and genetic resistance patterns of MDR-EPEC in chicken meat from specific regions in Bangladesh.

## Key findings

- 8.6% of E. coli isolates were identified as EPEC, with all showing multidrug resistance.
- High prevalence of resistance genes like bla_TEM-1 and MAR index of 0.40–0.50 indicates significant antibiotic pressure.
- Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin were the most effective against MDR-EPEC isolates.

## Abstract

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) contamination of retail chicken meat is a significant cause of public health concern among susceptible groups like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

The current research was conducted to identify the prevalence, genotypic pattern and drug resistance of multidrug‐resistant EPEC (MDR‐EPEC) in chicken meat during January to June 2024 in Kuliarchar and Bhairab upazilas, Bangladesh.

A total of 140 retail chicken meat samples were collected from Kuliarchar and Bhairab upazilas between January and June 2024. The isolates were confirmed by primary culture, biochemical reactions, and molecular confirmation by PCR employing phoA and eaeA genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using disk diffusion as per the CLSI 2020 standard.

Overall prevalence of E. coli was 68.6% (95% CI: 60.2–76.2) and was found to be higher in Bhairab (81.6%) compared to Kuliarchar (47.2%). 8.6% of these were found to be EPEC. All the retrieved EPEC were resistant to ampicillin, and 91.7% were resistant to ceftazidime and gentamicin. Amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antimicrobials. All EPEC isolates (n = 12) exhibited resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes and were therefore classified as multidrug‐resistant. Genotypic analysis showed high prevalence of bla
TEM‐1, 2 (91.7%), bla
SHV‐1 (66.7%), bla
OXA‐1, 4 & 30 (33.3%), with aac(3)‐iv (83.3%), sul1 (41.7%) and tet(A) (25.0%), indicating widespread β‐lactam and gentamicin resistance in EPEC. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.40–0.50, which indicated exposure to high antibiotic pressure.

The findings justify stricter food safety controls, effective use of antibiotics and proper hygiene to provide for the avoidance of the dissemination of MDR‐EPEC through infected chicken meat and public health safety.

Multidrug‐resistant enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (MDR‐EPEC) were investigated in retail chicken meat from Bangladesh. Molecular confirmation, antibiogram profiling, and resistance gene detection revealed universal multidrug resistance with high MAR indices, indicating intense antimicrobial pressure and highlighting significant food safety and public health concerns within the poultry production and retail chain.