Multidrug antibiotic resistance index and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli in intensive pig farms in Kenya
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Published on
13.11.25
- Challenges
Antibiotic resistance is a significant global public health threat, rendering treating human and animal infections difficult, longer and expensive.
A new study on intensive pig farms in Kenya has revealed the presence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli which poses a potential risk to humans and the wider environment.
The study, published in One Health Outlook (Nov 2025), was carried out by researchers from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and World Animal Protection.
The aim of the study was to determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolated from pig farming environments in selected pig farms around Kenya.
Eighty samples of wastewater, associated sludge, and ground surface boot sock samples were collected from 16 intensive pig farms.
The samples were cultured and 112 isolates of E. coli were identified.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing recorded the highest resistance against ampicillin (27.7%) and the lowest against cefotaxime (7.1%).
In addition, multidrug-resistance was observed in 25.9% of the isolates.
These and other findings of the study suggest a potentially high antibiotic exposure in the samples intensive pig farms.
This may increase the selection pressure leading to the development and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant E. coli among pig populations.
Citation
Inguyesi, C., Olum, M., Ndirangu, P., Langat, N., Jesang, A., Masila, E., Wachuka, E., Onywera, R., Muloi, D., Ochieng, L., Yamo, V., Momanyi, K., Muinde, P. and Maichomo, M. 2025. Multidrug antibiotic resistance index and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli in intensive pig farms in Kenya. One Health Outlook 7: 56.
Photo: A pig at a slaughter site in Busia, Kenya (credit: ILRI/Charlie Pye-Smith)