Abstract:
Antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic E. coli impacts the swine industry due to the limited treatment options and growing
public health concerns caused by potential transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes into the food chain. The study was
carried out throughout the whole year; the samples were collected from the small intestine following necropsies performed
in young pigs. From a laboratory database, 78 samples were positive for E. coli and were sampled and processed in order
to describe the AMR following a classical microbiological exam. Each sample was cultured on selective media (Mac
Conkey Agar) and antibiograms were performed using MicroScan Walk Away System. The antibiogram examinations
were performed for 20 antibiotics and the results were presented in the form of the following categories: resistant,
intermediate, susceptible. In 4 of the 20 antibiotics tested, the bacterial agent showed a sensitivity of over 85% and in 6
of the 20 antibiotics, it showed resistance of over 85%. On average, 47.8±37% of E. coli showed sensitivity to the 20
antibiotics tested and 48.5±38% resistance; 3.2±4% were classified as “intermediate”. Similarities were noted in terms of
sensitivity and resistance between the antibiograms from animal E.coli versus human E.coli. The same sensitivity was
observed in 5 of the 20 antibiotics, and in 3 of the 20 antibiotics we noticed common resistance, but a future molecular
biology analysis will be performed in order to identify the genes associated with AMR.
