Occurrence, antibiotic resistance and molecular characterisation of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolated from broiler chickens in Tunisia

1. Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) strains are associated with disease outbreaks which cause a public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of STEC strains, their virulence factors, phylogenetic groups and antimicrobial resistance profiles in broiler chickens.2. A total of 222 <i>E.coli</i> isolates were collected from the caecum of chickens intended to be slaughtered. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested against 21 antimicrobial agents and ESBL phenotype was assessed by double-disk synergy test. The presence of STEC virulence genes <i>stx1, stx2,eaeA</i> and <i>ehxA</i> was detected by PCR. The identification of STEC serogroups was realised by PCR amplification. Additive virulence genes, phylogenetic groups and integrons were examined among the STEC isolates.3. Out of 222 <i>E.coli</i> isolates, 72 (32%) were identified as STEC strains and the most predominant serogroups were O103, O145 and O157. Shiga toxin gene 1 (<i>stx1</i>) was found in 84.7% (61/72) of the STEC strains, and <i>eae</i> and <i>stx2</i> were detected in 38.8% and 13.8%, respectively. The ESBL phenotype was documented in 48.6% (35/72) of isolates. Most of the isolates (90.3%) carried class 1 integron with the gene cassette encoding resistance to trimethoprim (<i>dfrA</i>) and streptomycin (<i>aadA</i>) in 31.9% of the isolates. Class 2 integron was identified in 36.1% of isolates.4. Broilers can be considered as a reservoir of STEC strains which have high virulence factors and integrons that might be transmitted to other chickens, environments and humans. It is important to undertake surveillance and efficient control measures in slaughterhouses and farms to control measures of STEC bacteria.