Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in poultry meat: phoA detection, resistance profiling, and antibacterial evaluation of Myristica fragrans

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Objectives Escherichia coli is a common food-borne pathogen and one of the leading causes of antimicrobial-resistance, with a significant public health threat worldwide. This research aimed to isolate E. coli from raw broiler chicken meat collected from retail supermarkets in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and investigate molecular characteristics of the isolates. Additionally, the antimicrobial efficacy of nutmeg ( Myristica fragrans ) seed extracts against multidrug-resistant E. coli strains was evaluated. Methodology A total of 12 broiler meat samples were analyzed. Eight presumptive E. coli isolates were recovered using cultural, morphological, and biochemical methods and further subjected to PCR targeting the phoA housekeeping gene. The antibiotic susceptibility test demonstrated a high resistance rate to 11 antibiotics, representing 10 classes. Results High resistance rates were recorded for methicillin (100%), rifampicin (100%), vancomycin (87.5%), and ampicillin (75%). Six of the eight isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) based on resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobial classes. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous, methanol, and acetone seed extracts of M. fragrans revealed bioactive components, including flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, etc. The extracts exhibited notable efficacy against MDR E. coli , with the acetone extract being most effective, followed by methanolic and aqueous extracts. Conclusion The findings highlight the significant presence of multidrug-resistant E. coli in poultry meat and indicate M. fragrans seed extracts as a potential natural source of novel antibacterial agents to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.