Serotyping and Antibiogram of Escherichia coli Isolated from Raw Poultry Meat in Jammu, India

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence, serological diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli strains isolated from raw poultry meat samples collected from retail outlets in Jammu, India. Out of 65 raw poultry meat samples examined, 25 samples (38.46%) tested positive for E. coli contamination. These isolates were further identified through serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolated E. coli strains belonged to eleven different serotypes, including serogroups O111 and O157, which are recognized as important zoonotic pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed concerning patterns of resistance, with isolates showing high resistance rates to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin (87.69%), nalidixic acid (78.46%), and tetracycline, while maintaining relatively high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (90.76%) and chloramphenicol (86.15%). Considering the presence of zoonotic E. coli serogroups O111 and O157, it is crucial to implement strict hygiene protocols in retail meat shops to mitigate health risks for both consumers and vendors.