ASSESSMENT OF HYGENIC PRACTICE, ISOLATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBLITY TEST OF E-COLI FROM HONEY BEES FARMS IN AND AROUND HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY AND HARAMAYA WEREDA,ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is among the leading countries who produce honey and beeswax worldwide for centuries. A wide range of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites may affect honeybee colony, which leads to colony collapse. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to march 2022 to assess hygienic practices, isolate E. coli, and antimicrobial tests from beehives on farms in and around Haramaya University. Purposively, 225 sample were collected from study area and three samples were collected from one hive, subsequently, 75 honeybee, 75 feed swab and 75 hive swab samples were collected and subjected for bacteriological analysis. The samples were collected aseptically and transported to Haramaya University College of Veterinary Medicine Microbiology Laboratory by peptone water and sample was stored at 4oc until the samples processed. The adult honey bee was individually surface were sterilized and gut of bee was dissected and processed. Semi structured questionaries’ survey were subjected for 40 respondents among bee farms included for study to assess the hygienic status and management practices of farms. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the occurrence of E.coli and associated risk factors. The study revealed that out of the 225 were collected from honey bee, feed and hive swab from study area were examined for presence of E. coli was detected in 42 (18.7%). The prevalence were higher in Tuji Gabisa (24%) as compared with the other Kebeles. The prevalence were higher in Tuji Gabisa (29.6%) and Damato (21.4%) kebele in modern and traditional hive type than other kebeles respectively. Chi-square analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the prevalence of E. coli among studied Kebles. The study revealed that the prevalence of E.coli was higher in feed sample (20%) as compared with other sample examined from HU. Moreover, the prevalence of feed sample was higher in Tuji Gabisa keble (44%) as compared with other Kebles of feed samples. Chi-square analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the prevalence of E. coli in Tuji Gabisa. AMR profile was conducted among 42 isolates of E. coli in line with that the highest resistance was found toward Ampicillin (78.6%) and kanamycin (40.5%), followed by Erythromycin (31%), tetracycline (30%) and Gentamycin (26.2). Only 16.7% of the isolates showed resistance to Vancomycin. The distribution and patterns of single to multiple drug resistance isolates. Of total 42 isolated, (92.85%). Beekeepers of the study area of the participants, 85% said that they provided supplementary feed for honey during scarcity of the feed. The most common locally available feed types used for colony supplements identified were sugar, tea and no as explained. Additionally, honeybees collect water from 35% lake, 35% tap water and 27.5% bore holly as indicated. 82.5% of the interviewed bee keepers had got beekeeping training from Haramaya University. The present study was conducted up to bacteriological analysis, there was high prevalence rate of antimicrobial resistance among isolates and the knowledge gab regarding hygienic status and management practices. To the best of researchers knowledge there is no such study conducted before in study area so this study was used as base line data for future researchers. Molecular characterization should be conducted to identify E.coli strain, adequate monitoring of antimicrobial effectiveness and it is public health threat should be noted for community by professional