Multidrug Resistance and Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Retailed Smoked Fish

Abstract

E. coli isolated from retailed smoked fish were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing using nine (9) antibiotics belonging to six different mode of action namely β-lactams, fluoroquinolone, aminoglycosides, sulphonamide, tetracycline and β-lactam-β-lactamase. Based on the resistance pattern of the isolates, the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index for each isolate was calculated. The results of the study revealed that 16% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) and 53% of the isolates had MAR Index of 0.2 and above. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was taken as resistant to four or more antibiotics tested. This is suggestive of the origin of the isolates to be from area of high antibiotic usage.

Keywords: Aminoglycosides, β-lactams, β-lactam-β-lactamase, Fluorouinolones, MAR index