Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Escherichia coli in Pet Birds of Bangladesh.

Background: Pet bird rearing has been increasing over the last decade in Bangladesh. These pet bird species suffer from diverse diseases that are treated with different antimicrobials, contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.

Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli from cloacal samples of pet birds. This study also explored the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile of ESBL-E. coli against a range of antibiotics, followed by molecular identification of selected ESBL genes (TEM, SHV, CTX-M) in isolated bacteria.

Methods: A total of 150 cloacal swab samples of pet birds were purposively collected from the Chattogram metropolitan area of the country. Identification and confirmation of E. coli were performed following microbiological and molecular techniques. All the confirmed E. coli isolates were further screened using the combination disk method for validation of phenotypic ESBL producers. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed for selected antibiotics using the disk diffusion technique followed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results: The overall detection rate of E. coli from cloacal swabs was 48.7% [n = 73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 40.4-57], and out of 73 confirmed isolates, 32 (43.83%) were ESBL-E. coli. Surprisingly, all the 32 ESBL isolates were multidrug-resistant. All the ESBL isolates were susceptible to meropenem and resistant to ampicillin and ceftriaxone. Molecular identification of the ESBL genes showed that TEM was the most prevalent group of target genes.

Conclusion: The data generated in this study are the first of its kind and would be beneficial to veterinary practices, aviculturists and pet bird breeders in Bangladesh. The current research suggests that pet birds are a source of MDR ESBL-E. coli, which may pose a potential threat to public health.