Molecular detection and antibiotyping of multi‐drug resistant <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> from healthy broiler chickens in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Enterococcus faecium is a ubiquitously distributed member of the intestinal microbiota of both humans and animals. Antibiotic resistant E. faecium are a major public health concern. Objectives This study aimed to detect multi‐drug resistant (MDR) E. faecium and their antibiotic resistance genes from broiler chickens in Bangladesh. Methods A total of 100 faecal samples of healthy broilers were screened by conventional methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect E. faecium and their resistance genes. Disk diffusion test was employed to determine antibiotic profiles. Results By PCR, among 100 samples, 45% [95% confidence interval (CI): 35.62%–54.76%] were positive for E. faecium . Based on antibiogram, all the E. faecium isolates were found resistant to ampicillin, and frequently (93.33%–55.56%)…