Antimicrobial potential of indigenous medicinal plants against Multi Drugs Resistant Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated From Canine in Pattoki Tehsil, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Background: Multiple drug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 is a significant public health concern, particularly in canine puppies which are vulnerable to infections due to their developing immune system. Aims: This study was executed to screen the indigenous medicinal plants for their antimicrobial potential against MDR E. coliO157:H7 Method: In-vitro antibacterial activity of plants extracts were determined through anti-bacterial susceptibility, agar well diffusion, MIC and MBC assays. The plant with optimum antibacterial activity among said medicinal plants was selected for HPLC and in-vivo study (clinical symptoms, mortality, blood chemistry alterations, histopathological changes and growth performance). For in-vivo investigation, day old chicks (n=30) were randomly divided into three equal groups, i.e., G1; infected positive control, G2; negative control, and G3; treatment group (C. procera @ 4.3 mg/ml). Results: Overall, 3.75 % E. coli O157:H7 isolates showed MDR pattern exhibiting 26.6 % prevalence of Stx-1 gene. C. procera showed highest ZOI (18.2 ± 1.8 mm), MIC 4.3 mg/ml and MBC values 62.2 mg/100 μl. The survival rate of birds for G3 was 80%. C. procera had a significant impact on birds feeding behavior and weight gain compared to control. Pathological lesions in G1 group revealed damaged cecum, and diffused congestion in liver while no histopathological changes were observed in G2 and G3 post-treatment. Conclusion: Methanolic extract of C. procera had a significant antibacterial effect and may be used as a substitute for the treatment of MDR E. coliO157:H7 infections.