Multilocus sequence typing of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to identify potential sources of colonization in commercial turkey farms

Prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance and associated genetic determinants differed among Campylobacter isolated from human and poultry meat sources in Pennsylvania

Poultry is the primary source of Campylobacter infections and severe campylobacteriosis cases are treated with macrolides and fluoroquinolones. However, these drugs are less effective against antimicrobial-resistant strains. Here, we investigated the prevalence of phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and associated resistance genetic determinants in Campylobacter isolates collected from human clinical (N = 123) and meat (N = 80) sources in Pennsylvania in 2017 and 2018. Our goal was to assess potential differences in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter isolated from human and poultry meat sources in Pennsylvania and to assess the accuracy of predicting antimicrobial resistance phenotypes based on resistance genotypes. We whole genome sequenced isolates and identified genetic resistance determinants using the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System Campylobacter AMR workflow v2.0 in GalaxyTrakr. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the E-Test and Sensititre CAMPYCMV methods for human clinical and poultry meat isolates, respectively, and the results were interpreted using the EUCAST epidemiological cutoff values. The 193 isolates were represented by 85 MLST sequence types and 23 clonal complexes, suggesting high genetic diversity. Resistance to erythromycin was confirmed in 6% human and 4% meat isolates. Prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance was significantly higher in human isolates as compared to meat isolates. A good concordance was observed between phenotypic resistance and the presence of the corresponding known resistance genetic determinants.

Stakeholders' Perceptions of Biosecurity Implementation in Italian Poultry Farms

The level of implementation of biosecurity measures (BMs), the reasons for not implementing BMs and the effectiveness of BMs were assessed according to the perceptions of stakeholders (i.e., farmers and advisors) in Italian poultry farms. For this purpose, data were collected using a questionnaire administered to advisors (n = 37) and farmers (n = 30) of conventional broiler (n = 13) and layer (n = 13), free-range broiler (n = 8) and layer (n = 10), turkey (n = 13), duck (n = 3) and breeder (n = 7) farms between April and September 2021. The frequency of the implementation of BMs was 66.97% and 81.14% according to the answers provided by the advisors and farmers, respectively, with the breeder sector showing the highest level of implementation (85.71%). "Not knowing advantages" (21.49% for advisors) and "other/specific reasons" (21.49% for advisors and 38.32% for farmers) were the most common answers regarding the lack of implementation of BMs for all poultry sectors. Only 31.09% of farmers acknowledged the effectiveness of not-implemented BMs in contrast to 61.02% of advisors, with the layers' stakeholders being the most aware. The findings of this study may be useful for identifying failures in biosecurity and failures to develop intervention strategies to fulfil the biosecurity gaps still present in Italian poultry farms.

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from Houseflies in Commercial Turkey Farms Are Frequently Resistant to Multiple Antimicrobials and Exhibit Pronounced Genotypic Diversity

Campylobacter is a leading foodborne pathogen, and poultry are a major vehicle for infection. Houseflies play important roles in colonization of broiler flocks with Campylobacter but comparable information for turkey farms is limited. Here, we investigated houseflies as potential vectors for Campylobacter in 28 commercial turkey flocks. We characterized species, genotypes, and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Campylobacter from turkey feces and houseflies in the same turkey house. Of the 28 flocks, 25 yielded Campylobacter from turkey droppings and houseflies, with an average of 6.25 and 3.11 Campylobacter log CFU/g feces and log CFU/fly, respectively. Three flocks were negative for Campylobacter both in turkey feces and in houseflies. Both C. coli and C. jejuni were detected in turkey feces and houseflies, with C. coli more likely to be recovered from houseflies than feces. Determination of Campylobacter species, genotypes, and AMR profiles revealed up to six different strains in houseflies from a single house, including multidrug-resistant strains. For the predominant strain types, presence in houseflies was predictive of presence in feces, and vice versa. These findings suggest that houseflies may serve as vehicles for dissemination of Campylobacter, including multidrug-resistant strains, within a turkey house, and potentially between different turkey houses and farms in the same region.

Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Insecta, Coleoptera) in a single house of a broiler production facility as a potential source of pathogenic bacteria for broilers and humans

Pest infestation in any stage can lead to a quality reduction in the finished products. This study aimed to detect Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus in Alphitobius diaperinus adults, and in samples from broiler swabs, administered water and feed collected in a single house from a broiler production facility in central Italy. Three samplings were carried out, each collecting ninety adult beetles for microbial detection in the external, fecal and internal content; ten cloacal swab samples; and one sample of both administered feed and water. Microbiological cultures and biochemical identification were performed on suspected cultures and confirmed by species-specific PCRs. A. diaperinus was abundantly found near the windows, under the manger and in the corners of the facility. Salmonella enterica serovar Cholerasuis was found at the external surface of the beetles, while Staphylococcus xylosus and E. coli in the fecal content. The latter microrganism together with Staphylococcus lentus, S. xylosus and other staphylococcal species were detected in the internal microbiota. E. coli and Campylobacter spp. were observed in cloacal swabs, and S. xylosus in one feed sample. The study findings support evidence for Salmonella spp. and E. coli, and remark that adherence with sanitation rules and biosecurity procedures are required.

Emission Sources of Campylobacter from Agricultural Farms, Impact on Environmental Contamination and Intervention Strategies

Although extensive research has been carried out to describe the transmission pathways of Campylobacter entering livestock farms, the role of livestock farms as source of Campylobacter contamination of the environment is still poorly investigated. It is assumed that Campylobacter-positive livestock farms contribute to an environmental contamination, depending on the animal species on the farm, their Campylobacter status, the housing system, manure management as well as their general farm hygienic and biosecurity management. Different emission sources, like manure, air, water, insects and rodents as well as personnel, including equipment and vehicles, contribute to Campylobacter emission into the environment. Even though Campylobacter are rather fastidious bacteria, they are able to survive in the environment for even a longer period of time, when environmental conditions enable survival in specific niches. We conclude that a significant reduction of Campylobacter emission in the environment can be successfully achieved if various intervention strategies, depending on the farm type, are applied simultaneously, including proper general and personal hygiene, establishing of hygienic barriers, insect controls, manure management and hygienization of stables, barns and exhaust air.

Contamination of Water Sources of Karaj Hospitals with Legionella pneumophila and Campylobacter jejuni

Background: One of the most common routes of infection development in humans is contaminated water. Legionella pneumophila and Campylobacter jejuni are the important causes of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia and gastroenteritis that are transmitted to humans via the inhalation of contaminated water droplets and consumption of contaminated water, respectively. Thus, continuous monitoring of the water supply systems for these pathogens has great importance in public health. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the water contamination of Karaj hospitals with these two bacterial species. Materials and Methods: In this study, 62 water samples were obtained from different parts of the hospitals of Karaj from April to September 2019, including air conditioning systems, dialysis equipment, ventilation tanks, and different wards of a hospital such as infectious diseases, pediatrics, gastroenterology, dialysis, and intensive and neonatal intensive care units. The samples were collected in sterile containers and immediately transferred to the laboratory for further analysis. The culture on specific media, staining, and biochemical tests were performed to identify the L. pneumophila and C. jejuni. Results: Out of 62 water samples, 25.8% (16 samples) were positive for L. pneumophila; 68.75% were observed in hot water samples, and 31.25% were attributed to cold water samples. Among 62 samples, 4.84% (3 samples) were positive for C. jejuni, which were all detected in hot water samples. Conclusion: Considering that the methods of water refinery of municipal water have no high efficiency, the quality improvement of the water sources of hospitals seems to be necessary.