Isolation of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Pig Farms in Northern Côte d’Ivoire: A Preliminary Study
M’BARI Kiffôpan Benjamin *
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, PO. Box 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
Thiémélé Jean-Luc
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, PO. Box 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
GRAGNON Biégo Guillaume
Korhogo Regional Laboratory, National Laboratory for Agricultural Development Support, PO. Box 32 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
BROU Gkoko Konan Gatien
Institute of Agropastoral Management, Peleforo GON COULIBALY University, PO. Box 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire.
BADA ALAMBEDJI Rianatou
Inter-States School of Veterinary Sciences and Medecine, PO. Box 5077 Dakar, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to the recommended and available antimicrobial drugs is a growing public health problem in different locations worldwide, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in patients. This study was conducted in the Korhogo Department to enhance the understanding of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) in local swine populations. A total of 200 rectal swabs were collected from pigs across four sub-prefectures. Isolation of STEC O157:H7 was performed on a chromogenic selective medium. Subsequently, 62 isolates obtained were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility against nine agents using the standard disk diffusion method. Following analysis, 62 of the 200 samples tested were positive, yielding an overall prevalence of 31%. The study further revealed that, aside from the sampling location, neither sex nor age had a significant effect on the prevalence of this bacterium. Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that 100% of the isolates were sensitive to gentamicin, colistin, and ceftriaxone. Conversely, all isolates exhibited complete (100%) resistance to the six other antibiotics tested. The study confirms a high prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in pig farms, alongside a high level of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of this zoonotic agent.
Keywords: Escherichia coli O157:H7, swine, carriage, antimicrobial resistance, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire