Antibiotic resistance in ESKAPE bacteria group isolated from piggeries in Owo local government

Abstract

The intensification of pig farming in Nigeria has led to increased antibiotic use, contributing to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study assessed the antibiotic resistance profiles of ESKAPE bacteria isolated from piggery effluents in Owo Local Government. Effluent samples were collected from ten farm sites and analysed using microbiological and molecular techniques. Among the ESKAPE group, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance levels, with multiple isolates displaying elevated Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) values, indicating significant exposure to antimicrobials. Molecular characterization confirmed the presence of resistance-associated genes in E. coli and S. aureus, with over 99% sequence identity to previously reported resistant strains. The findings highlight the role of pig farming in the dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing risks to public health through environmental contamination and potential zoonotic transmission. Urgent interventions, including stricter antibiotic regulations, enhanced surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship, are recommended to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens in livestock environments