Molecular Detection of Tet A and Tet B Genes in <i>Escherichia coli</i> Isolated from Selected Abattoirs in Northwestern Nigeria

Tetracycline is reported to be widely used as a therapeutic agent and as well as growth promoter during livestock production. Bacterial antibiotic resistance to tetracycline is known to be associated with certain resistance genes including the tet genes, either by protection of the enzymatic or ribosome modifications of the drug which could be transferred among bacteria via plasmid mediation. Tetracycline resistant E. coli isolates (n=35) from selected abattoirs in Northwestern Nigeria were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of some of the tetracycline resistant genes such as tet(A) and tet(B). Results obtained from agarose gel PCR showed that resisitant gene tetA was detected in 11 (31.4%) of the bacteria whereas those of tetB resistance gene was found in 26 (74.3%) of the E. coli isolates indicating that it was predominant. Seven (7) of the isolates had both tet(A) and tet(B) genes (20.0%) whereas, none of tetA and tetB genes was found in 5 (14.3%) of the E. coli. The presence of these tet genes in the both bacteria suggested that they could be responsible and be the major determinant of resistance to the emergence of bacterial resistance to tetracycline in the environment such as abattoirs. Thesetet genes could be possibly transferred to other organisms, humans and abattoir environments, resulting in infections and as well pose public health challenges and in control of infectious diseases which might deter progress in health outcomes and increase cost of treatment on the societies. Good hygienic and manufacturing practices in the slaughterhouses, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics during livestock production especially the commonly used tetracycline is indispensable in order to minimize risks that could be associated with antimicrobial resistant bacteria.