Abstract:

This research investigated the presence of virulence genes encoding F41, K99, eae, Stx1, Stx2 and STa and the antimicrobial resistance of animal Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates. Clinical isolates (n:233) were evaluated from faecal samples of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, cats and dogs collected between the years of 2010 to 2015 from Turkey. Enterohaemorrahic E.coli (EHEC) O157:H7 was detected by using cefixime tellurite sorbitol MacConkey agar (CT-SMAC) and Wellcollex E. coli (Remel®). The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was performed to detect the resistance pattern of the isolates to ampicillin, Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, ceftiofur, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. The results showed that 40% of the ruminant isolates were identified as Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC).  Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was detected in samples from cattle (0.9%) and sheep (12%). Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) was detected in samples from cattle (0.9%) and dogs (11.4%). EHEC O157:H7 was not detected any of the isolates. Among all E. coli isolates that carried at least one virulence gene, 8 (19%) were resistant to more than three antimicrobials, 7 (16.7%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial and 27 (64.3%) were susceptible to all antimicrobials.

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