Occurrence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Quinolone Resistance Genes among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Poultry, Domestic Pigs and Environ in Msimbazi River Basin in Tanzania

Abstract

We investigated the occurrence and distribution of genes encoding for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and quinolone resistance among multi-drug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from poultry, domestic pigs, and environment samples in the Msimbazi basin in Tanzania. A total of 130 non-duplicated isolates obtained from the poultry (n = 40), domestic pigs (n = 52) and environment (n = 38) were screened for ESBL genes (bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qnrC, qnrD, qepA, and aac (6)-Ib-cr) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most commonly detected ESBL genes were bla_CTX-M (31.5%, n=41) and bla_TEM (10%, n=13), while quinolone resistance genes were qnrS (27.7%, n=36), qnrB (6.9%, n=9) and aac (6)-lb-cr (5.4%, n=7). ESBL gene bla_SHV and quinolone resistance genes qnrA, qnrC, and qepA were not detected in any of the isolates. Resistance genes were highest in isolates from the environmental samples (86%, n=33), followed by poultry 72.5% (n=29), and domestic pigs 21.4%, (n=9). Overall, the most frequent resistance gene was qnrS, followed by bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM. About 17.7% (n=23) of the E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates depicted co-existence of ESBL and quinolone resistance genes. One Health interventional measures, involving different disciplines across human, animal, and environmental sectors, are needed to control the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the Msimbazi River Basin in Tanzania.