Vol. 8, Special Issue 12, Part Q (2024)

Antimicrobial resistance has become a major issue to be dealt with in recent years. Among many other microbial organisms extended spectrum beta lactamase producing E. coli has emerged as an important organism responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Poultry is considered as one of the major carriers of such resistant genes. Occurrence of these ESBL E. coli in the healthy poultry used for consumption could impose threats to animal production, food safety and environment. Present study included isolation and characterization of ESBL producing E. coli from healthy poultry caeca with a prevalence rate of 42.75%. Genotypic characterization revealed bla TEM as the major gene and some isolates showed bla CTX gene. Multidrug resistance being a major issue of these E. coli was also observed with 9 antibiotics. 100% resistance against cefotaxime and ceftazidime, 90% resistance against furazolidone and ciprofloxacin. Against cefoxitin 30%. Amikacin and co-trimoxazole showed 27 and 40% resistance respectively.