PREVALENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENES IN INDIAN DUCKS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN DESHI AND KHAKI CAMPBELL DUCKS

The ESBL and ACBL producing genes are responsible for bacterial resistance to a number of antibiotics. This study was undertaken to detect the distribution pattern of ESBL and ACBL producing genes among healthy Deshi and Khaki Campbell ducks that have no apparent history of antibiotic intake. For this purpose, 110 and 92 cloacal swab samples were collected from Deshi and Khaki Campbell ducks respectively. Initially samples were screened for detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae on the basis of their cultural, biochemical and morphological properties followed by PCR confirmation. Distribution pattern of three important ESBL producing genes viz. blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV and one ACBL producing gene blaAmpC were studied thoroughly among two different segments of ducks. Significantly higher occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes was found in free range Deshi ducks compared to that of Khaki Campbell ducks. This study indicates that promotion of rearing Khaki Campbell ducks among farmers is not only beneficial for higher production but also facilitates better management of the problem associated with antibiotic resistance.