Editorial - Journal of Bacteriology and Infectious Diseases (2025) Volume 9, Issue 1

Fecal Carriage of Resistant Escherichia coli in Livestock in Algeria: Emergence of NDM and OXA-181

Michael Boltz^*

Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, US

*Corresponding Author:

Michael Boltz
Department of Poultry Science,
Mississippi State University,
US
E-mail: boltzm@msstate.edu

Received: 01-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. AABID-24-169065; Editor assigned: 03-Jan-2025, PreQC No. AABID-24-169065(PQ); Reviewed:16-Jan-2025, QC No. AABID-24-169065; Revised:18-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. AABID-24-169065(R); Published: 24-Jan-2025, DOI:10.35841/aabid-9.1.189

Citation: Boltz. M. Fecal Carriage of Resistant Escherichia coli in Livestock in Algeria: Emergence of NDM and OXA-181. 2025; J Bacteriol Infec Dis 9(1):189

Introduction

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to public health, and zoonotic reservoirs particularly livestock play a critical role in the dissemination of resistant bacteria [1, 2].

In Algeria, recent research has revealed alarming levels of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in cattle and sheep, including strains carrying carbapenemase genes such as NDM-1 and OXA-181, which are typically associated with last-resort antibiotics in human medicine [3,4].

A study published in BMC Microbiology investigated the fecal carriage of resistant E. coli in livestock across 28 farms in Guelma, northeastern Algeria. This discovery underscores the urgent need for integrated surveillance and stewardship strategies under the One Health framework [5].

Researchers collected 285 fecal samples—145 from cattle and 140 from sheep—and screened them for third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistant E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, phenotypic assays, and PCR-based molecular diagnostics were used to identify resistance genes and integrons [6,7].

The findings were striking: 27 cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates were recovered, with a prevalence of 17% in cattle and 1% in sheep. These isolates exhibited high levels of multidrug resistance (MDR), with 85% resistant to β-lactams, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [8].

Additionally, class 1 integrons were detected in 10 isolates, suggesting horizontal gene transfer and the potential for rapid dissemination of resistance traits.The detection of NDM-1 and OXA-181 in livestock is particularly concerning. These carbapenemase genes confer resistance to carbapenems—antibiotics considered the last line of defense against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Their presence in animals, despite carbapenems not being approved for veterinary use in Algeria, suggests environmental contamination or indirect transmission from human sources [9, 10].

Conclusion

This raises the possibility of reverse zoonosis, where resistant bacteria or resistance genes are transmitted from humans to animals, potentially through agricultural runoff, contaminated feed, or shared water sources. Once established in livestock, these bacteria can re-enter the human population via food, direct contact, or environmental exposure.The emergence of carbapenem-resistant E. coli in Algerian livestock mirrors trends observed in other regions. A study in Turkey reported similar findings, with E. coli isolates from cattle carrying OXA-type carbapenemases and exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in both humans and animals is rising, driven by antibiotic overuse and poor regulatory oversight3.