PREVALENCE OF COLISTIN-RESISTANT ESCHERICHIA COLI IN BROILER CHICKENS AND SHARED ENVIRONMENT IN LAGELU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

Escherichia coli is a major cause of extensive loss in the poultry industry due to high morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to investigate the occurrence of Antibiotics resistance due to the presence of E. coli in commercial broilers farm at Lagelu Local Government area in Ibadan. Twelve (12) commercial layers farm were visited and 8 birds per farm were sampled using random sampling method. Cloaca swabs and water samples from drinking water source were collected from each farm under aseptic condition and immediately transported in ice-packs to the laboratory for microbial analysis. The results showed that E. coli was detected in 42% of cloaca swabs and 33% of the water samples. Antibiotics susceptibility test was carried out on E. coli isolates and the result showed that 33.3% of the isolates were Colistin-resistant. A survey component was also incorporated to evaluate and assess biosecurity level and practice of the poultry farms. These findings highlight the critical need for enhanced biosecurity protocols and stricter regulation of antibiotic use in poultry farming to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, the study observed a noticeable decrease in the use of antibiotics as growth promoters among local farmers, suggesting a laudable trend towards antibiotics stewardship. The data gathered from this research are vital for guiding public health strategies and policymaking efforts aimed at tackling the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.