Abstract
Background:
Globally, there is an increasing frequency of community-acquired illnesses caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli. The presence of ESBL-producing E. coli in livestock is a concern, considering its transmission potential to humans, effects on animal health, risks to food safety, and the widespread spread of antibiotic resistance in both human and animal populations.

Aim:
This study investigated the prevalence and characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli in cloacal swab samples collected from duck farms in Jombang, Indonesia.

Methods:
In total, 125 cloacal swab samples of ducks were collected from farms. Samples were processed and analyzed for E. coli isolation using standard microbiology techniques. Isolated E. coli strains were further subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and ESBL phenotypic detection using disc diffusion and double disk synergy test techniques, respectively. Identified multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli strains were thereafter screened for the detection of blaTEM ESBL gene by PCR.

Results:
A total of 94 (52.2%) out of the collected 180 swab samples were positive for E. coli. Twenty-five (39.1%) out of the recovered E. coli isolates were generally noted to exhibit MDR traits. Exactly 24 (96%) out of the 25 MDR E. coli strains that were selected for molecular studies harboured the blaTEM gene.

Conclusion:
The detection of MDR E. coli harbouring blaTEM ESBL gene in ducks in our study area is a significant public health problem. Therefore, strong and impactful preventive measures which would curtail the increasing dissemination of MDR bacterial pathogens in agricultural settings are urgently needed.

Key words: blaTEM gene, Ducks, E. coli, Multidrug resistance, Antibiotics