Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Chicken Meats

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of E. coli 0157:H7 isolated from chicken meats. One hundred chickens from villages (n=50) and farms (n=50) were slaughtered under hygienic conditions. Meat samples were taken from chest area and analysed by conventional, biochemical and microscopic methods. In addition, the antibiotic resistance of the isolates was tested against 12 different antibiotics. Analyses revealed that, probably, four samples contained E. coli O157:H7. Confirmation tests were performed with the RapID (TM) ONE system and the results showed that only four samples contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. When the samples origins were examined, the samples that contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 were found to be from the villages. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was higher in villages than in farms. The probable reason for the high number of E. coli O157:H7 in the villages is related to lack of vaccination and hygiene. The antibiotic sensitivity test of E. coli O157:H7 showed that isolates were resistance to Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin Doxycycline, Streptomycin and Tetracycline antibiotics.