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Background and Aim: Farm animals, including cattle, have been implicated as antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogen reservoirs. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles and genetic characteristics of cattle colonized by fluoroquinolone-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We randomly collected 100 fresh fecal samples from 100 cattle in major abattoirs and analyzed the samples using standard microbiological methods. Isolates were further characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rRNA sequence primers. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production was performed using the double disk synergy test. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli were determined using the disk diffusion method, whereas molecular characterization of ESBL- and fluoroquinolone-resistant genes was performed by PCR using specific primers. Results: A total of 20 (20%) ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated from 100 animal fecal samples. Isolates were generally multidrug-resistant (MDR) with a resistance rate of 100% to 45% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, and ciprofloxacin. The average multiple antibiotic resistance index values of the isolates ranged from 0.5 to 0.8. BlaTEM (75%), followed by blaCTX-M (20%) and blaSHV (5.0%) was the most predominant ESBL gene among the isolates. The Aac-lb-6-cr fluoroquinolone-resistant gene was harbored by 90% of the isolates, whereas Qnr was absent. Conclusion: This study showed a high frequency of MDR ESBL-producing E. coli harboring ESBL and fluoroquinoloneresistant genes in fecal samples of cattle with serious public health consequences if not adequately addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains which have been implicated in septicaemia among hospitalized children is a serious concern due to their high resistance rates to commonly used antimicrobial agents. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of urinary ESBL-producing E. coli in paediatric patients who had clinical evidence of urinary tract infections (UTI). Methodology: Clean catch specimens of urine collected from 100 eligible paediatric patients with clinical evidence of UTI in St. Patricks' Hospital, Mile Four, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, were cultured for isolation of E. coli using standard bacteriological techniques. Isolates were confirmed for ESBL production by double disk synergy test (DDST), and antibiotic susceptibility of the ESBL-producing ones was determined by the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Twenty one (21%) E. coli were isolated out of which 11 (52 %) were ESBL producers, all of which were totally resistant (100%) to cefotaxime, ticarcillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, 85% to aztreonam and 83% to ceftazidime. The multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) values ranged from 0.4 to 0.9, which implies high usage of antimicrobials. Conclusion: The high prevalence of multi-drug resistant ESBL-producing E. coli obtained in this study shows that there has been overuse (abuse or misuse) of antibiotics in the study area. There is need for antimicrobial stewardship programme that will ensure prudent use of antimicrobial agents to forestall the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]