Abstract:

This study aimed to isolate and characterize extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC producing E. coli in sheep in Mosul city. A total of 260 milk and fecal samples were collected aseptically from healthy ewes (n=60), their respective lambs (n=60), and ewes with clinical mastitis (n=40). Standard bacterial isolation and identification on special culture media were performed to isolate ESBL/AmpC producing E. coli. While special antibiotic discs D68C MASTDISCS® Combi AmpC and ESBL ID set were used to characterize positive ESBL/AmpC E. coli. The results showed that 99/260 (38.1%) of tested samples were ESBL-E. coli positive and distributed as follows, 7/60 (11.7%) and 39/60 (65%) from milk and feces of clinically healthy ewes, respectively, and 37/60 (61.7%) from feces of clinically healthy lambs, while 4/40 (10%) and 12/40 (30%) from the milk and feces of ewes with clinical mastitis, respectively. However, we could not obtain any AmpC positive isolate from all tested samples. The high recovery percentages of ESBL from feces or milk of sheep reflect the arbitrary use of the antibiotic in sheep farming. This could significantly increase the resistance of the bacterial population that might represent a potential source for transmission of antibiotic resistance to humans.

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