Isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity profiling of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from duck: An issue of public health

Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are involved in a variety of pathogenic processes in domestic animals and humans. The study aimed to isolate and identify Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp. bacteria, and ascertain the specific antibiotic resistance percentages. A total of 40 samples of duck liver and intestinal contents were collected and selected from different villages in Savar Upazila and tested for E. coli and Salmonella spp., with the isolates subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests. Cultural characteristics, biochemical testing, and Gram's staining were used to isolate and identify bacterial genera/species. Each bacterium has a different prevalence rate. The highest prevalence rate was found in E. coli (52.5%), followed by Salmonella spp. (37.5%). Antibiotic sensitivity test by disc diffusion method or Kirby-Bauer test was performed against the five most commonly used antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin was the most sensitive to E. coli isolates (95.2 %), followed by gentamycin (80.9%), while amoxicillin (90.5%), followed by tetracycline and ampicillin (80.95%), were the most resistant. Salmonella spp. isolates were found to be the most susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (100%), followed by Gentamycin (86.67%). The highest resistant pattern of Salmonella spp. was shown against amoxicillin (100%), followed by ampicillin (80%) and tetracycline (60%), with an intermediate resistance 40%. According to the findings of this study, duck contains a resistance profile to E. coli and Salmonella spp. pathogens on both the duck liver and intestinal contents. Salmonella spp and the resistance profile of E. coli are dangerous bacteria that can spread to people by contact with them or through the food chain, raising major public health problems.