NDM 1 Gene Carrying Gram negative Bacteria Isolated from Rats Captured from some Poultry Houses in Nigeria

Abstract

The New Delhi metallo-beta lactamase (NDM-1) bearing pathogens pose serious public health threat because they are usually resistant to virtually other useful antibiotics. Constant monitoring and prompt detection of such pathogens are keys to effective prevention and control of their spread among other animal and human pathogens. In this study, we screened 56 Gram negative bacteria comprising: 3 isolates of Enterobacter ludwigii, 30 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 22 Proteus mirabilis, and 1 Aeromonas caviae isolated from oral cavity and rectum of rats captured from commercial poultry houses in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria that were resistant to at least three of or all of: ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, amikacin and cefepime at 32μg/mL breakpoint for the presence of bla NDM-1, using PCR assay. The bacteria isolates were identified based on standard bacteriological procedures and by 16S PCR identification method. The isolates were screened to find out the possible role of rats in the dissemination and the public health importance of the species to poultry and ultimately to humans. A total of 5.4% (3/56) of the Gram negative bacteria from rats screened from the studied area carried the NDM-1 gene. The results from this work indicated that rat may serve as agent for disseminating the gene to poultry and human pathogens. Rat control within the poultry houses and human households should be given important consideration to achieve effective prevention and control of spread of these organisms that may be of public health importance.

Key words: Rats, poultry, New Delhi metallo-beta lactamase (NDM-1).