Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler Chickens in Yaoundé Capital City of Cameroon

Background: Escherichia coli are ubiquitous bacteria colonising both humans and animals. Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli has been selected as a suitable indicator for the monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Death due to resistant bacteria is continuously rising in Cameroon, but the contribution of the aviary sector is not well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the resistance profile of extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli strains, isolated from faeces of broiler chickens in Yaoundé, capital city of Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from February to June 2020. Escherichia coli were isolated from samples of broilers in poultry farms in Yaoundé and submitted to the extended spectrum β-lactamase screening. The logistic regression was used to assess the statistical association of a significance threshold p-value of 0.05. Results: Out of 385 faecal samples collected in broiler farms, 114 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained out of which 30 (26.32%) were Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-producing Escherichia coli. These isolates revealed high resistance to all antibiotic families. Poor storage conditions for feeds and the proximity to latrines, the troughs on the ground, the lack of foot bath and uniforms, the inadequate treatment of faeces, the poor usage of preventive antibiotics and the lack of water treatment have been identified as risk factors to faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. Conclusion: This work reveals the emergence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-producing Escherichia coli in poultry farms in Yaoundé and the failure in the biosecurity system. As such, the awareness of poultry breeders on the respect of biosecurity measures may be an effective tool to tackle antimicrobial resistance, specifically in livestock industries using a One Health approach.