Metallo-β-lactamase and AmpC genes in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from abattoir and poultry origin in Nigeria.

Background: Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae represent the most relevant reservoir of resistance genes such as metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) and AmpC genes that give them the undue advantage to resist antimicrobial onslaught. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of MBL (bla, bla, bla, bla) and AmpC (bla, bla, bla, bla) resistance genes in aforementioned GNB collected from abattoir and poultry sources in Nigeria.

Results: In total, 370 isolates were collected from abattoir tables (n = 130), anal region of cows (n = 120), and the cloacae of poultry birds (n = 120). The test isolates showed high rate of resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems. The MBLs were phenotypically detected in 22 E. coli, 22 P. aeruginosa, and 18 K. pneumoniae isolates using combined disc test (CDT). However, only 11 E. coli, 24 P. aeruginosa, and 18 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were phenotypically confirmed to be AmpC producers using cefoxitin-cloxacillin double disk synergy test (CC-DDST). MBL encoding genes (particularly the bla genes and bla genes) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 12 (54.6%) E. coli, 15 (83.3%) K. pneumoniae, and 16 (72.7%) P. aeruginosa isolates. AmpC genes (particularly the bla genes and bla genes) were found in a total of 5 (29.4%) E. coli isolates, 5 (27.8%) isolates of K. pneumoniae, and 10 (41.7%) isolates of P. aeruginosa.

Conclusions: Our study showed the circulation of MBL and AmpC genes in GNB from abattoir and poultry origin in Nigeria. Adoption of regular control policies is necessary to reduce the spread of these species as soon as possible, especially in poultry and slaughterhouses.