ISOLATION OF COLIFORM BACTERIA FROM BROILERS CHICKEN AND THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CARBAPENEM

ABSTRACT This finding shows that the increasing spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in broiler chickens is becoming a serious public health concern. This study was carried out to isolate coliform bacteria from broiler chickens and assess their susceptibility to carbapenem antibiotics. Cloacal swabs were collected and cultured on MacConkey and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agars. Colonies exhibiting typical coliform morphology were further examined using Gram staining and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates were tested against Meropenem and Ertapenem using the standard disc diffusion method. Sample A had a total bacterial count of 48 CFU on MacConkey agar and 66 CFU on EMB agar. Sample B exhibited a higher bacterial load, with 70 CFU on MacConkey agar and 96 CFU on EMB agar. Gram staining confirmed that all isolates were Gram-negative bacilli, and biochemical tests supported their identification as coliform bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed varying degrees of sensitivity. In Sample A, the zones of inhibition were 21 mm for Ertapenem and 28 mm for Meropenem, indicating intermediate susceptibility to Ertapenem while for Sample B all isolates were susceptible, with inhibition zones of 22 mm for Ertapenem and 24 mm for Meropenem, using CLSI (2020) standards. Moderate bacterial growth suggests possible fecal contamination likely due to poor hygiene practices. These findings highlight the importance of enhanced hygiene practices and regular monitoring of antimicrobial resistance on poultry farms to help prevent the spread of resistant bacterial strains.