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Cagnoli G, Di Paolo A, Bertelloni F, Salvucci S, Buccioni A, Marzoni Fecia di Cossato M, Ebani VV. Occurrence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Enterococcus spp. in Healthy Chickens Never Exposed to Antimicrobial Agents in Central Italy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:417. [PMID: 38786145 PMCID: PMC11117291 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are part of the natural flora of the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, including humans, birds and invertebrates. They can cause infection, mainly among hospitalized patients, as well as acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The present study allowed the isolation of 98 Enterococcus (73.47% E. faecium, 23.47% E. faecalis, 3.06% E. avium) strains from 120-day-old healthy chickens that had never been treated with antimicrobials. Their antimicrobial resistance was evaluated by the agar disk diffusion method; high-level aminoglycoside (streptomycin and gentamicin) and vancomycin resistance were established using the microbroth dilution method. The highest percentages of resistant isolates were detected with quinupristin-dalfopristin (88.78%), rifampicin (64.29%), tetracyclines (45.92%), and enrofloxacin (41.84%). High percentages of susceptible strains were found with teicoplanin (100%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (97.96%), nitrofurantoin (94.90%), ampicillin (92.86%), chloramphenicol (90.82%), and linezolid (88.78%). About 60% of the strains were classified as MDR (multidrug-resistant). Moreover, PCR was carried out to investigate genes encoding for tetracyclines resistance determinants: tet(M), tet(L), tet(O), tet(K), and Int-Tn. Genes were detected in 68 (69.38%) strains: 36 were shown to be resistant with the agar disk diffusion method, while 28 were intermediate, and 2 were susceptible. The present study showed that chickens never treated with antimicrobials potentially harbor enterococci having phenotypic and genotypic characters of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cagnoli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
| | - Alessia Di Paolo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sonia Salvucci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
| | - Arianna Buccioni
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Piazzale Delle Cascine 18, 50144 Florence, Italy;
| | - Margherita Marzoni Fecia di Cossato
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (A.D.P.); (F.B.); (S.S.); (M.M.F.d.C.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health”, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Stapleton GS, Innes GK, Nachman KE, Casey JA, Patton AN, Price LB, Tartof SY, Davis MF. Assessing the difference in contamination of retail meat with multidrug-resistant bacteria using for-consumer package label claims that indicate on-farm antibiotic use practices- United States, 2016-2019. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41370-024-00649-y. [PMID: 38374423 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-024-00649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic use in food-producing animals can select for antibiotic resistance in bacteria that can be transmitted to people through contamination of food products during meat processing. Contamination resulting in foodborne illness contributes to adverse health outcomes. Some livestock producers have implemented antibiotic use reduction strategies marketed to consumers on regulated retail meat packaging labels ("label claims"). OBJECTIVE We investigated whether retail meat label claims were associated with isolation of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs, resistant to ≥3 classes of antibiotics) from U.S. meat samples. METHODS We utilized retail meat data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) collected during 2016-2019 for bacterial contamination of chicken breast, ground turkey, ground beef, and pork chops. We used modified Poisson regression models to compare the prevalence of MDRO contamination among meat samples with any antibiotic restriction label claims versus those without such claims (i.e., conventionally produced). RESULTS In NARMS, 62,338 meat samples were evaluated for bacterial growth from 2016-2019. Of these, 24,446 (39%) samples had label claims that indicated antibiotic use was restricted during animal production. MDROs were isolated from 2252 (4%) meat samples, of which 71% (n = 1591) were conventionally produced, and 29% (n = 661) had antibiotic restriction label claims. Compared with conventional samples, meat with antibiotic restriction label claims had a statistically lower prevalence of MDROs (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.73). This relationship was consistent for the outcome of any bacterial growth. IMPACT This repeated cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative retail meat surveillance database in the United States supports that retail meats labeled with antibiotic restriction claims were less likely to be contaminated with MDROs compared with retail meat without such claims during 2016-2019. These findings indicate the potential for the public to become exposed to bacterial pathogens via retail meat and emphasizes a possibility that consumers could reduce their exposure to environmental reservoirs of foodborne pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Sean Stapleton
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gabriel K Innes
- Yuma Center for Excellence in Desert Agriculture, Yuma, AZ, USA
| | - Keeve E Nachman
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joan A Casey
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew N Patton
- Geospatial Analysis Lab, University of San Francisco, Harney Science Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lance B Price
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sara Y Tartof
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Meghan F Davis
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology & Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Bzdil J, Sladecek V, Senk D, Stolar P, Waicova Z, Kollertova N, Zouharova M, Matiaskova K, Linhart P, Nedbalcova K. Enterococci Isolated from One-Day-Old Chickens and Their Phenotypic Susceptibility to Antimicrobials in the Czech Republic. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1487. [PMID: 37887187 PMCID: PMC10603836 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Our study describes the prevalence and spectrum of enterococci isolated from one-day-old chickens in the Czech Republic, their level of antimicrobial resistance, and the occurrence of multiresistance. Over a 24-month period from 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2023, a total of 464 mixed samples of one-day-old chicken organs were examined during routine inspections at 12 randomly selected poultry farms in the Czech Republic. The samples were processed via cultivation methods and suspected strains were confirmed using the MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry method. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the MIC method for eight antimicrobials. A total of 128 isolates (prevalence of 27.6%) representing 4 species of enterococci were isolated, including Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Enterococcus hirae, with prevalence rates of 23.3%, 1.5%, 2.2%, and 0.6%, respectively. Susceptibility tests showed a high percentage of susceptible strains among E. faecalis, E. faecium, and E. gallinarum for penicillin-based antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim, and florfenicol (80-100% susceptible strains). E. hirae was an exception, displaying complete resistance to enrofloxacin (0% susceptible strains) and a high degree of resistance to other tested antimicrobials (33.3% susceptible strains). Among the isolated strains, a total of 16 isolates (12.5%) showed resistance to 3 or more antimicrobials. Complete resistance to all eight antimicrobials simultaneously was observed in four isolates (3.1%). This research shows the possible sources of pathogenic enterococci and their virulence and resistance genes. The findings hold relevance for both veterinary and human medicine, contributing to a better understanding of enterococcal circulation in the human ecosystem and food chain, as well as the development of their resistance and multiresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Bzdil
- Ptacy S.R.O., Valasska Bystrice 194, 756 27 Valašská Bystřice, Czech Republic; (J.B.); (V.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Vladimir Sladecek
- Ptacy S.R.O., Valasska Bystrice 194, 756 27 Valašská Bystřice, Czech Republic; (J.B.); (V.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.)
| | - David Senk
- Ptacy S.R.O., Valasska Bystrice 194, 756 27 Valašská Bystřice, Czech Republic; (J.B.); (V.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Petr Stolar
- Ptacy S.R.O., Valasska Bystrice 194, 756 27 Valašská Bystřice, Czech Republic; (J.B.); (V.S.); (D.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Zuzana Waicova
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 17. Listopadu 1192, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (Z.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Nela Kollertova
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, 17. Listopadu 1192, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (Z.W.); (N.K.)
| | - Monika Zouharova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.Z.); (K.M.)
| | - Katarina Matiaskova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.Z.); (K.M.)
| | - Petr Linhart
- Institute of Animal Protection and Welfare and Public Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences, Palackeho 1–3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Katerina Nedbalcova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.Z.); (K.M.)
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Mak PHW, Rehman MA, Kiarie EG, Topp E, Diarra MS. Production systems and important antimicrobial resistant-pathogenic bacteria in poultry: a review. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:148. [PMID: 36514172 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00786-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Economic losses and market constraints caused by bacterial diseases such as colibacillosis due to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens remain major problems for poultry producers, despite substantial efforts in prevention and control. Antibiotics have been used not only for the treatment and prevention of such diseases, but also for growth promotion. Consequently, these practices have been linked to the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria which constitute a significant global threat to humans, animals, and the environment. To break down the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), poultry producers are restricting the antimicrobial use (AMU) while adopting the antibiotic-free (ABF) and organic production practices to satisfy consumers' demands. However, it is not well understood how ABF and organic poultry production practices influence AMR profiles in the poultry gut microbiome. Various Gram-negative (Salmonella enterica serovars, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, E. coli) and Gram-positive (Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and C. perfringens) bacteria harboring multiple AMR determinants have been reported in poultry including organically- and ABF-raised chickens. In this review, we discussed major poultry production systems (conventional, ABF and organic) and their impacts on AMR in some potential pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria which could allow identifying issues and opportunities to develop efficient and safe production practices in controlling pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip H W Mak
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Attiq Rehman
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Elijah G Kiarie
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Edward Topp
- London Research and Development Center, AAFC, London, ON, Canada
| | - Moussa S Diarra
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Guelph, ON, Canada.
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de Mesquita Souza Saraiva M, Lim K, do Monte DFM, Givisiez PEN, Alves LBR, de Freitas Neto OC, Kariuki S, Júnior AB, de Oliveira CJB, Gebreyes WA. Antimicrobial resistance in the globalized food chain: a One Health perspective applied to the poultry industry. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:465-486. [PMID: 34775576 PMCID: PMC8590523 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-021-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a major global public health crisis. The food animal industry will face escalating challenges to increase productivity while minimizing AMR, since the global demand for animal protein has been continuously increasing and food animals play a key role in the global food supply, particularly broiler chickens. As chicken products are sources of low-cost, high-quality protein, poultry production is an important economic driver for livelihood and survival in developed and developing regions. The globalization of the food supply, markedly in the poultry industry, is aligned to the globalization of the whole modern society, with an unprecedented exchange of goods and services, and transit of human populations among regions and countries. Considering the increasing threat posed by AMR, human civilization is faced with a complex, multifaceted problem compromising its future. Actions to mitigate antimicrobial resistance are needed in all sectors of the society at the human, animal, and environmental levels. This review discusses the problems associated with antimicrobial resistance in the globalized food chain, using the poultry sector as a model. We cover critical aspects of the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in the poultry industry and their implications to public health in a global perspective. Finally, we provide current insights using the multidisciplinary One Health approach to mitigate AMR at the human-animal-environment interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro de Mesquita Souza Saraiva
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Kelvin Lim
- Veterinary Health Management Branch, National Parks Board, 6 Perahu Road, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel Farias Marinho do Monte
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Emília Naves Givisiez
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Lucas Bocchini Rodrigues Alves
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Kariuki
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Angelo Berchieri Júnior
- Department of Pathology, Theriogenology, and One Health, Sao Paulo State University (FCAV-Unesp), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Celso José Bruno de Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (CCA/UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Wondwossen Abebe Gebreyes
- Global One Health initiative (GOHi), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Semedo-Lemsaddek T, Bettencourt Cota J, Ribeiro T, Pimentel A, Tavares L, Bernando F, Oliveira M. Resistance and virulence distribution in enterococci isolated from broilers reared in two farming systems. Ir Vet J 2021; 74:22. [PMID: 34416919 PMCID: PMC8379790 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-021-00201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of enterococci in human health has been growing for the last decades, mainly due to their resistance to several antimicrobial agents. Human consumption of contaminated meat, especially poultry, has been identified as a possible route of transmission. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence genes of enterococci isolated from Portuguese conventional and free-range broiler farms. Results Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high frequencies of resistance to tetracycline in both farming systems. Resistance to erythromycin and gentamicin were detected in about half of the isolates. Resistance to penicillin was the less frequently observed and no vancomycin resistant isolates were identified. The majority of the enterococcal isolates, from either farming systems, were resistant to more than one antibiotic, and no statistical associations were found, except for penicillin resistance which associated with the genetic clusters. No differences were found between farming systems regarding the prevalence of tet(M), erm(B), aac (6′)-Ie-aph (2″)-Ia and pbp5 genes, nevertheless pbp5 prevalence was associated with the different genetic clusters. Hemolytic activity was identified in 26.47% of all isolates and gelatinase activity in 50%. The gelE gene was identified in the majority of the isolates, whereas esp and agg genes were rarely detected. The cylA determinant was not detected in any of the isolates. Conclusions Overall, results suggest that similar resistance patterns and virulence genes can be found in both farming systems, though enterococci in free-range conditions should be less prone to acquire further resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - João Bettencourt Cota
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tânia Ribeiro
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Amélia Pimentel
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fernando Bernando
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
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Golden CE, Rothrock MJ, Mishra A. Mapping foodborne pathogen contamination throughout the conventional and alternative poultry supply chains. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101157. [PMID: 34089937 PMCID: PMC8182426 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been a consumer push for natural and organic food products. This has caused alternative poultry production, such as organic, pasture, and free-range systems, to grow in popularity. Due to the stricter rearing practices of alternative poultry production systems, different types of levels of microbiological risks might be present for these systems when compared to conventional production systems. Both conventional and alternative production systems have complex supply chains that present many different opportunities for flocks of birds or poultry meat to be contaminated with foodborne pathogens. As such, it is important to understand the risks involved during each step of production. The purpose of this review is to detail the potential routes of foodborne pathogen transmission throughout the conventional and alternative supply chains, with a special emphasis on the differences in risk between the two management systems, and to identify gaps in knowledge that could assist, if addressed, in poultry risk-based decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chase E Golden
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, 100 Cedar St., Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael J Rothrock
- Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit, U.S. National Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Abhinav Mishra
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, 100 Cedar St., Athens, GA, USA.
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Innes GK, Nachman KE, Abraham AG, Casey JA, Patton AN, Price LB, Tartof SY, Davis MF. Contamination of Retail Meat Samples with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Relation to Organic and Conventional Production and Processing: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data from the United States National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, 2012-2017. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:57004. [PMID: 33978452 PMCID: PMC8114881 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During food animal production, animals are exposed to, colonized by, and sometimes infected with bacteria that may contaminate animal products with susceptible and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). The United States' Organic Foods Production Act resulted in decreased antibiotic use in some animal production operations. Some studies have reported that decreased antibiotic use is associated with reduced MDRO on meat. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate associations of meat production and processing methods with MDRO and overall bacterial contamination of retail meats. METHODS Bacterial contamination data from 2012 to 2017 for chicken breast, ground beef, ground turkey, and pork chops were downloaded from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to estimate associations with MDRO contamination and any contamination (adjusted for year and meat type) overall, and according to bacteria genus (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli) and meat type. RESULTS A total of 39,349 retail meat samples were linked to 216 conventional, 123 split (conventional and organic), and three organic processing facilities. MDRO contamination was similar in conventionally produced meats processed at split vs. conventional facilities but was significantly lower in organically produced meats processed at split facilities [adjusted prevalance ratio (aPR)=0.43; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.63]. Meat processed by split vs. conventional processors had higher or similar MDRO contamination for all tested bacterial genera except Campylobacter (aPR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.64). The prevalence of any contamination was lower in samples processed at split vs. conventional facilities for aggregated samples (aPR=0.70; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.73) and all meat types and bacterial genera. DISCUSSION Organically produced and processed retail meat samples had a significantly lower prevalence of MDRO than conventionally produced and processed samples had, whereas meat from split processors had a lower prevalence of any contamination than samples from conventional processors had. Additional studies are needed to confirm findings and clarify specific production and processing practices that might explain them. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7327.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel K. Innes
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Keeve E. Nachman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison G. Abraham
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Joan A. Casey
- Mailman School of Public Heath, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew N. Patton
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lance B. Price
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sara Y. Tartof
- Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Araby E, Nada HG, Abou El-Nour SA, Hammad A. Detection of tetracycline and streptomycin in beef tissues using Charm II, isolation of relevant resistant bacteria and control their resistance by gamma radiation. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:186. [PMID: 32600267 PMCID: PMC7325294 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01868-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Misuse of antibiotics in veterinary medicine has the potential to generate residues in animal derived products, which could contributing to the development of an important health risk either through the exposure to antibiotic residues or the transfer of antibiotic resistance among foodborne pathogens as well. Tetracycline (TE) and eptomycin (ST) are commonly used as antibiotics in the Egyptian animal husbandry. The objective of this study, quick detection of TE and ST in fresh local beef tissue samples using radioimmunoassay Charm II technique, isolation and identification of relevant highly resistant bacterial strains. In addition to investigating the effect of gamma radiation on the susceptibility of such resistant strains to TE and ST. Results Tetracycline (TE) was detected in all collected samples, while ST was detected in 38.46% (5/13) and 87.5% (7/8) of meat and liver samples, respectively. Fifty-one bacterial isolates were isolated from the tested samples, among them, the highest resistant isolates to TE or ST were identified as Streptococcus thoraltensis, Proteus mirabilis (2 isolates) and E. coli (3 isolates). Among them, the highest D10-values in phosphate buffer; 0.807 and 0.480; kGy were recorded with S. thoraltensis and E. coli no.3, respectively. Such values increased to record 0.840 and 0.549 kGy, respectively after artificial inoculation into meat, indicating increased resistance to gamma radiation. Gamma radiation at dose 3 kGy increased the susceptibility of S. thoraltensis up to 50% to TE and ST, while the sensitivity of E. coli no.3 reached up 56% to both antibiotics at the same dose. Conclusions High prevalence of TE in all fresh collected tissue samples suggests an extensively use of TE as antimicrobial in conventional beef production as compared to ST in the Egyptian cows’ husbandry. Moreover, irradiation of food from animal origin by gamma radiation could potentially provide protection against resistant strains. In spite of limited samples used in this study, our data could raise the concerns of public health professionals about a withdrawal period before animals slaughtering, and address the importance of gamma radiation to minimize the hazards of foodborne resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Araby
- Radiation Microbiology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), 3 Ahmed El-Zomor St., P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanady G Nada
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), 3 Ahmed El-Zomor St., P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Salwa A Abou El-Nour
- Radiation Microbiology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), 3 Ahmed El-Zomor St., P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ali Hammad
- Radiation Microbiology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), 3 Ahmed El-Zomor St., P.O. Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
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10
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Kim YB, Seo KW, Son SH, Noh EB, Lee YJ. Genetic characterization of high-level aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolated from retail chicken meat. Poult Sci 2020; 98:5981-5988. [PMID: 31298294 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Retail chicken meat can play a role in the transfer of drug resistance to humans through the handling or ingestion of improperly cooked meat contaminated with resistant enterococci. In fact, high-level aminoglycoside-resistance (HLAR) in enterococci identified in human cases. Therefore, the prevalence and genetic characterization of HLAR in enterococci in retail chicken meat were investigated in this study. Of the 345 enterococci strains, 29 (8.7%) showed HLAR. All HLAR in enterococci carried at least 1 of 2 aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes, aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)-Ia and ant(6)-Ia. Among the 13 isolates that carried aac(6')Ie-aph(2″)-Ia, 3 had pattern A, with IS256 at both ends, and the other 10 had pattern D, without IS256 at both ends. All HLAR in enterococci also showed multidrug resistance. Among the 24 erythromycin-resistant enterococci, 19 (79.2%) harbored the ermB gene, and one (4.2%) harbored both the ermB and ermA genes. A total of 21 enterococci were tetracycline-resistant and harbored one or more of the following tetracycline resistance genes tet(M), tet(L), and tet(O). The Int-Tn gene was detected in one isolate (3.4%) carrying the tet(M) and ermB genes. All 4 chloramphenicol-resistant isolates carried either the phenicol resistance gene cfr alone (one isolate), both cfr and fexA (one isolate), or both fexA and optrA (2 isolates). Four efflux pump genes, efr(A), efr(B), emeA, and lsa, were detected in all HLAR in Enterococcus faecalis isolates. These results improve our understanding of the transmission dynamics of HLAR in enterococci from non-hospital sources to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong Bin Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Won Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.,Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State 39762, USA
| | - Se Hyun Son
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Bi Noh
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ju Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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11
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Jung D, Rubin JE. Identification of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from plant-based food products imported into Canada. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 319:108509. [PMID: 31945714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The role of plant-based foods in the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance has been inadequately studied. In this investigation, resistant organisms from vegetables, fruits and spices imported into Canada were identified and characterized. A total of 143 products imported from primarily Asian and African countries were purchased from international markets in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Samples were selectively cultured for bacterial species where resistance is known to be emerging. The proportions of samples positive for each organism were as follows: E. coli (n = 13, 9.1%), Salmonella spp. (n = 2, 1.4%), ESBL producing Enterobacter spp. (n = 2, 1.4%) and K. pneumoniae (n = 2, 1.4%), S. aureus (n = 7, 4.9%) and Enterococcus spp. (n = 66, 46.2%). Antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth micro-dilution and agar-dilution. Based on the susceptibility of each organism, isolates were screened for resistance genes (β-lactamases and plasmid mediated quinolones resistance determinants) by PCR. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were identified from 6/143 (4.2%) and 2/143 (1.4%) of samples respectively. The qnrB, qnrS and aac(6')-Ib-cr plasmid mediated quinolone resistance determinants were identified in 2/143 (1.4%) of samples tested. None of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates were resistant to meropenem or colistin. Similarly, all Enterococcus isolates remained susceptible to ampicillin, penicillin and vancomycin. Finding multi-drug resistant bacteria which are frequently isolated from human infections is concerning, although the contribution of the global food trade to the dissemination of resistance remains cryptic. These results suggest that imported plant-based foods may be an underappreciated source of clinically relevant resistant organisms. Further study is required to address these gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology of resistance, and the magnitude of the risk posed to human health by these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyun Jung
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Joseph E Rubin
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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12
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Tang KL, Caffrey NP, Nóbrega DB, Cork SC, Ronksley PE, Barkema HW, Polachek AJ, Ganshorn H, Sharma N, Kellner JD, Checkley SL, Ghali WA. Comparison of different approaches to antibiotic restriction in food-producing animals: stratified results from a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001710. [PMID: 31543995 PMCID: PMC6730577 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously reported, in a systematic review of 181 studies, that restriction of antibiotic use in food-producing animals is associated with a reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates. While informative, that report did not concretely specify whether different types of restriction are associated with differential effectiveness in reducing resistance. We undertook a sub-analysis of the systematic review to address this question. METHODS We created a classification scheme of different approaches to antibiotic restriction: (1) complete restriction; (2) single antibiotic-class restriction; (3) single antibiotic restriction; (4) all non-therapeutic use restriction; (5) growth promoter and prophylaxis restriction; (6) growth promoter restriction and (7) other/undetermined. All studies in the original systematic review that were amenable to meta-analysis were included into this substudy and coded by intervention type. Meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models, stratified by intervention type. RESULTS A total of 127 studies were included. The most frequently studied intervention type was complete restriction (n=51), followed by restriction of non-therapeutic (n=33) and growth promoter (n=19) indications. None examined growth promoter and prophylaxis restrictions together. Three and seven studies examined single antibiotic-class and single antibiotic restrictions, respectively; these two intervention types were not significantly associated with reductions in antibiotic resistance. Though complete restrictions were associated with a 15% reduction in antibiotic resistance, less prohibitive approaches also demonstrated reduction in antibiotic resistance of 9%-30%. CONCLUSION Broad interventions that restrict global antibiotic use appear to be more effective in reducing antibiotic resistance compared with restrictions that narrowly target one specific antibiotic or antibiotic class. Importantly, interventions that allow for therapeutic antibiotic use appear similarly effective compared with those that restrict all uses of antibiotics, suggesting that complete bans are not necessary. These findings directly inform the creation of specific policies to restrict antibiotic use in food-producing animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L Tang
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Niamh P Caffrey
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Diego B Nóbrega
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan C Cork
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul E Ronksley
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Herman W Barkema
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alicia J Polachek
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heather Ganshorn
- Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nishan Sharma
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James D Kellner
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sylvia L Checkley
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - William A Ghali
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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13
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Kim YJ, Park JH, Seo KH. Comparison of the loads and antibiotic-resistance profiles of Enterococcus species from conventional and organic chicken carcasses in South Korea. Poult Sci 2018; 97:271-278. [PMID: 29077899 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pex275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in poultry meat are a threat to public health. In this study, we compared the Enterococcus spp. loads and antibiotic-resistance profiles between carcasses of conventionally and organically raised chickens. A total of 144 chicken carcasses (72 conventional and 72 organic) was collected from local retail markets in Seoul, South Korea. Overall, 77.7% (112 of 144; 75% conventional and 80% organic) of chicken carcasses were positive for Enterococcus. The mean loads of Enterococcus spp. were greater in conventional chicken carcasses, at 2.9 ± 0.4 log CFU/mL, than those in organic chicken carcasses, at 1.78 ± 0.3 log CFU/mL (p < 0.05). A total of 104 isolates (52 from conventional and 52 from organic chicken carcasses) was randomly selected for further analysis. The predominant species was Enterococcus faecalis in both conventional and organic chicken carcasses (57.7 and 76.9%, respectively; P > 0.05). Rates of resistance to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, which are used in veterinary medicine in South Korea, were significantly higher in conventional chicken carcasses than in organic chicken carcasses. However, we found no difference between the rates of resistance to antibiotics such as vancomycin and tigecycline, which were not registered for use in veterinary medicine in South Korea, of Enterococcus isolates from conventional and organic chicken carcasses. In addition, although multidrug resistant isolates were obtained from both types of chicken samples, the prevalence of samples positive for Enterococcus was significantly higher in conventional chicken carcasses than in organic chicken carcasses (P < 0.05). The most common multidrug resistance pattern was erythromycin-tetracycline-rifampicin in conventional chicken carcasses and quinupristin-dalfopristin-tetracycline-rifampicin in organic chicken carcasses. A high level of gentamicin resistance was observed in isolates from not only conventional (5.8%) but also organic chicken (1.9%) carcasses, with no significant difference in rates between them (P > 0.05). Despite this, our results suggest that organic food certification is effective in reducing fecal contamination and the burden of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. in chicken carcasses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-J Kim
- Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - J-H Park
- Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - K-H Seo
- Center for One Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
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14
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Chotinantakul K, Chansiw N, Okada S. Antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus spp. isolated from Thai fermented pork in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2018; 12:143-148. [PMID: 29030312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Binns
- 1 School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Wah-Yun Low
- 2 Research Management Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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16
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Garcia JM, Teixeira P. Organic versus conventional food: A comparison regarding food safety. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2016.1196490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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17
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Bortolaia V, Espinosa-Gongora C, Guardabassi L. Human health risks associated with antimicrobial-resistant enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus on poultry meat. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 22:130-140. [PMID: 26706616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Enterococci and staphylococci are frequent contaminants on poultry meat. Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus are also well-known aetiological agents of a wide variety of infections resulting in major healthcare costs. This review provides an overview of the human health risks associated with the occurrence of these opportunistic human pathogens on poultry meat with particular focus on the risk of food-borne transmission of antimicrobial resistance. In the absence of conclusive evidence of transmission, this risk was inferred using data from scientific articles and national reports on prevalence, bacterial load, antimicrobial resistance and clonal distribution of these three species on poultry meat. The risks associated with ingestion of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci of poultry origin comprise horizontal transfer of resistance genes and transmission of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis lineages such as sequence type ST16. Enterococcus faecium lineages occurring in poultry meat products are distantly related to those causing hospital-acquired infections but may act as donors of quinupristin/dalfopristin resistance and other resistance determinants of clinical interest to the human gut microbiota. Ingestion of poultry meat contaminated with S. aureus may lead to food poisoning. However, antimicrobial resistance in the toxin-producing strains does not have clinical implications because food poisoning is not managed by antimicrobial therapy. Recently methicillin-resistant S. aureus of livestock origin has been reported on poultry meat. In theory handling or ingestion of contaminated meat is a potential risk factor for colonization by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. However, this risk is presently regarded as negligible by public health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bortolaia
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - C Espinosa-Gongora
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - L Guardabassi
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St Kitts, West Indies.
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