Aim: The presence of fecal carriers of extended-spectrum beta- lactamase (ESBL) genes in poultry is worrisome because it is likely to spread to a human being. This study was proposed to estimate the frequency of ESBLs carriers in Escherichia coli isolated from healthy broiler’s gut in west of Iran.

Materials and Methods: A total of 300 fecal samples were collected from apparently healthy broiler. E. coli strains were isolated, confirmed molecularly and studied using disk combination method, antimicrobial susceptibility test and ESBL-detection polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

Results: Two hundred and eighty five strains of E. coli were isolated biochemically and all were confirmed in a speciesspecific PCR reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility test on 156 ESBL-producing E. coli identified by phenotypic method revealed that 100 % of them were resistant to at least one antibiotic, while all were sensitive to imipenem. The prevalence of blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV genes was 52.63%, 38.59%, and 30.17% respectively. The simultaneous existence of several ESBL genes was identified in 52.61% of the isolates.

Conclusions: The vast prevalence of ESBL carriers with multiple resistance in poultry is a threat to public health. Consistent monitoring and proper use of antibiotics in the region’s poultry industry should be applied.