Emergence of Gene in Colistin-Resistant Isolates from Chicken in Chitwan, Nepal.

The escalating prevalence of colistin-resistant in poultry has emerged as a significant concern. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of the gene in colistin-resistant isolates from poultry samples. A cross-sectional study was conducted at National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory, Nepal, on 210 chicken meat samples, including liver, heart, and spleen. was isolated and identified by conventional cultural methods. Antibiotic resistance pattern was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The gene was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction. The average viable count in chicken meat samples was log 6.01 CFU (colony-forming unit)/g, whereas the average coliform count was log 3.85 CFU/g. Coliforms were detected in at least one sample from 48.01% of total samples. The prevalence of in all meat samples was 39.52%. Liver accounted for the largest fraction of isolates (45.45%). Cefepime was the most effective antibiotic. Among all isolates, 45 (54.21%) were multidrug-resistant , 17 (20.48%) were colistin-resistant , and 11 (64.70%) harbored the gene. High prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates, colistin-resistant isolates, and gene-carrying isolates indicates a serious concern, as it could potentially lead to colistin resistance in human pathogens through horizontal transfer of resistant genes from poultry to humans.