Uncovering antimicrobial resistance patterns in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis isolated from farm animals in Bangladesh

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat affecting humans and animals. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis are key pathogens in farm animals, contributing to disease spread and treatment failures due to multidrug resistance. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance patterns and resistance genes in farm animals in Bangladesh. The study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024, collected 158 samples from cattle farms in Dhaka and Barisal, including rectal swabs, feces, wound swabs, soil, and water, using sterile techniques. Laboratory analysis involved isolating P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis with selective media, VITEK®2 confirmation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and PCR for resistance genes, with data analyzed using R programming language. Of 158 samples, 15.18% found positive for E. faecalis and 10.75% for P. aeruginosa. 66.66% of E. faecalis isolates and 23.52% of P. aeruginosa isolates showed MDR (multidrug resistance). High resistance to cefuroxime (70.83%) and penicillin (66.67%) was observed in E. faecalis, while P. aeruginosa showed complete sensitivity to meropenem (100%). Among the identified resistance genes, the most prevalent were blaCTX-M in E. faecalis (41.66% of isolates) and mcr-1 in P. aeruginosa (23.52% of isolates). The investigation of AMR patterns and resistance genes from farm animals in Bangladesh revealed a significant prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis and opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa, with notable resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The study detected various resistance genes including blaCTX-M in E. faecalis and mcr-1 in P. aeruginosa, underscoring the need for immediate regulations and interventions.