Background:

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health problem. To date, there are limited studies focused on Escherichia coli isolated from pig herds in Colombia.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic resistance in non-pathogenic strains of E. coli isolated from pig farms located in Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Methods:

The hemolytic capacity and the presence of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (STa and STb) toxins were evaluated. Subsequently, Antibiotic resistance was assessed in γ-hemolytic strains against 11 commonly used antibiotics.

Results:

A total of six E. coli strains were isolated. The strains exhibited a high level of antibiotic resistance. The highest resistance prevalence was observed against amikacin (20%), ceftiofur (20%), fosfomycin (20%), ciprofloxacin (40%), gentamicin (40%), florfenicol (80%), enrofloxacin (80%), norfloxacin (80%), apramycin (100%), ampicillin (100%), and doxycycline (100%).

Conclusions:

Commensal E. coli strains from piglets pose a high epidemiological risk as reservoirs and disseminators of resistance genes within the pig production chain. Additionally, these strains may represent a potential risk to the food chain.

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