ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM POULTRY DUMPING

Poultry production generates large quantities of waste, including droppings and litter materials, which are often dumped indiscriminately in the environment. Such waste provides favorable conditions for the growth and survival of pathogenic microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium commonly associated with fecal contamination and antibiotic resistance. This study was undertaken to isolate and characterize E. coli from poultry dumpsites and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.Samples were collected randomly from different poultry dumpsites within Niger State Polytechnic Zungeru poultry farm using sterile containers and transported to the microbiology laboratory for analysis. The samples were serially diluted and inoculated on MacConkey and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar. Colonies with characteristic metallic green sheen on EMB agar were presumptively identified as E. coli. Further identification was performed using standard biochemical tests such as indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization, catalase, and oxidase tests.Confirmed isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar with commonly used antibiotics. The results revealed a high prevalence of E. coli in the analyzed samples, confirming heavy contamination of the dumpsites. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that most isolates were resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline but sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index of most isolates was above 0.2, suggesting exposure to high-risk environments with frequent antibiotic usage. This study demonstrates that poultry dumpsites serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant E. coli, posing potential risks of environmental pollution and public health hazards through the possible transfer of resistant bacteria to humans and animals. Proper disposal and management of poultry waste and judicious use of antibiotics in poultry farming are therefore strongly recommended.