Study of resistant bacteria at live poultry sales points in the governorate of Sousse

This poster, originally presented at the 2025 ReAct Africa and South Centre Conference, presents findings from a study investigating the presence and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli in live broiler chickens in Tunisia. The study aimed to understand the role of poultry as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance and the potential for transmission through the food chain and environment.

A total of 79 cloacal swabs were collected from 11 sales points across three regions in Sousse. Laboratory testing identified 24 ESBL-producing E. coli resistant to cefotaxime and 12 to ertapenem. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four phylogroups, with nine distinct clones. Whole-genome sequencing of selected isolates identified three sequence types (ST10, ST359, ST770), with most carrying the blaCTX-M-55 gene.