Preliminary survey of biofilm forming, antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli in fishes from land based aquaculture systems and open water bodies in Bangladesh

The study investigates the prevalence, antibiotic resistance patterns, biofilm production, and presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and biofilm-forming genes in Escherichia coli isolated from fish in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The research found that 87 E. coli isolates (67.0%) were confirmed, with cultured fish having a higher prevalence (70.0%). Antibiotic resistance profiling showed that 100.0% of E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin and ceftazidime. Cultured fish were identified as potential reservoirs of ARGs, highlighting the need for monitoring β-lactamase-resistant and biofilm-forming E. coli in Bangladesh.