Md. Saroat Hossain^1,, Md. Ahsan Hasan Jony¹, Nishe Saha¹, Baharul Islam¹, Kazi Abdus Sobur², Sakib Mowdood³, Palash Bose², Md. Ashiquen Nobi², Md. Mosharraf Hossen⁴, K. M. Mozaffor Hossain¹

In Bangladesh, Escherichia coli strains show a wide range of antibiotic resistance, due to uncontrolled antibiotic use in animals and insufficient surveillance, which poses serious public health risks and potentially fatal outcomes. This study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance patterns and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from raw meat sold in retail outlets across the Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. Methods: 92 raw meat samples (broiler chicken: 20, layer chicken: 20, cattle: 20, goat: 20, buffalo: 12) were collected from four districts in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. Phenotypic identification was done by using different cultural characteristics and biochemical tests and, the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to detect antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli. Molecular conformation and detection of antibiotic resistance genes were performed by PCR analysis. Results: In phenotypic detection, the prevalence of Escherichia coli in raw meat was 25%, with varying rates across types: cattle meat (25%), goat meat (10%), buffalo meat (8.33%), broiler chicken meat (45%), and layer chicken meat (30%). Ceftriaxone, sulphonamide, enrofloxacin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, neomycin, and colistin sulfate showed sensitivity ranging from 52.17% to 100%. Whereas, penicillin, tetracycline, and oxytetracycline showed no sensitivity. Conversely, erythromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin, and penicillin all exhibited resistance in 47.83% to 100%. In addition, levofloxacin, neomycin, and colistin sulfate all showed no resistance. The study found the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes: streptomycin (aadA1) 4.35%, erythromycin (ereA) 4.35%, gentamicin (aac(3)-IV) 8.70%, tetracycline (tetB) 17.39%, sulfonamide (sul1) 21.80%, and tetracycline (tetA) 43.48%. No tetC, bla_TEM, bla_SHV, or bla_CMY was detected. Conclusion: Detection of antibiotic resistant genes highlights contamination complexity, urging continuous research and monitoring measures to ensure public health safety across the food supply chain.

Escherichia coli, prevalence, antibiotic resistant pattern, resistance genes, raw meat