Background: Escherichia coli bacterium is known as one of the microflora of the digestive system of humans and warm-blooded animals. However, some strains of this bacterium have the ability to cause various infections due to having different virulence factors. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistant pattern and biofilm formation potential of E. coli obtain from beef cattle in Ilam and Kurdistan provinces. Methods: Beef samples were taken from neck, arms and thighs of 90 slaughtered cows (45 cows from Ilam and 45 cows from Kurdistan). Bacterial isolation was performed by culturing of samples on the selective and differential culture media and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibilities and biofilm formation potential were done by Kirby Bauer's disk diffusion and microtiter plate (MtP) tests, respectively. The Spearman rank correlation test performed to study the correlation between antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm formation and p values less than 0.05 were considered as a significant level. Results: Of 270 meat samples, 42 E. coli were isolated. In both provinces, samples taken from the thighs had significantly more E. coli bacteria than necks and arms. The highest resistance rate was reported to sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline (85.71%), followed by ampicillin (80.95%). Besides, all E. coli were sensitive to colistin. Based on MtP, 24 (57.14%), 12 (28.57%) and 6 (14.28%) isolates were categorized as strong, moderate and weak biofilm producer, respectively. The significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between biofilm formation and resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: High antibiotic resistance rates and strong biofilm formation ability of E. coli isolates obtained from red meat suggest the need for continuous surveillance in the food chain.
