AUTHOR=Mwansa Mwaba , Mukuma Mercy , Mulilo Esther , Kwenda Geoffrey , Mainda Geoffrey , Yamba Kaunda , Bumbangi Flavien Nsoni , Muligisa-Muonga Elizabeth , Phiri Nelson , Silwamba Isaac , Muma John Bwalya 

TITLE=Determination of antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from farm workers in broiler poultry production and assessment of antibiotic resistance awareness levels among poultry farmers in Lusaka, Zambia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.998860

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.998860

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=A cross-sectional study was conducted in four districts of Lusaka Province, Zambia to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns, ESBL production of E. coli isolated from stool samples of broiler poultry farm workers and to assess poultry farmers' antimicrobial resistance awareness. Sixty-six human stool samples were collected and processed for E. coli isolation, confirmation, antimicrobial resistance testing, and screened for ESBL production. In addition, 80 farmers were assessed for their level of awareness of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 58 single isolates were obtained and showed high (87.9%) resistance to tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (48.3%), and ampicillin (46.8%) then, followed by nalidixic acid (19.0%), ciprofloxacin (12.1%), cefotaxime (8.6%) and chloramphenicol (5.2%). The prevalence of AMR E. coli was 67.2% and 29.3% were MDR. Two (3.4%) isolates were identified to be ESBL producers, harbouring the CTX-M gene. The study results also showed that broiler farmers were aware and knowledgeable of antibiotic resistance, although knowledge about its impact on human health was low. This study demonstrated the presence of resistant and ESBL producing E. coli among poultry farm workers.