Antibiotic resistance and virulence factors among Escherichia coli isolates from avian organic fertilizer

Abstract

Brazilian poultry industry generates large amounts of organic waste, such as chicken litter, which is often used in agriculture. Among the bacteria present in organic fertilizer are members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, such as Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from avian organic fertilizer. A total of 47 E. coli strains were tested through Polymerase chain reaction to detect virulence genes (hlyF, iss, ompT, iutA and iroN). Fourteen antimicrobials were used to test antimicrobial susceptibility in the strains. Genes characteristic of Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) were reported among the strains, with the hlyF, iss and ompT genes being the most prevalent. The isolates showed high resistance (˃50%) to tetracycline, gentamicin, cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin. Multidrug resistance was reported in a great number of strains (>70%). The results showed the presence of APEC cells with virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance after 15 days of the windrowing process in poultry houses, it means this process should be improved to eliminate these cells.

A Comprehensive Study of the Microbiome, Resistome, and Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Chicken Waste from Intensive Farms

“…In our isolated E. coli strains, resistance to ciprofloxacin (n = 14; 61.5%) was similar to that of amoxicillin (n = 14; 63.2%), with resistance to imipenem being at a much lower level (n = 2; 7%) in the isolated bacteria. Furthermore, in E. coli strains isolated from organic poultry fertilizer in Brazil, most were resistant to more than five tested antimicrobials [ 53 ].…”

A comprehensive study of the microbiome and resistome of chicken waste from intensive farms

“…In our isolated E. coli strains, resistance to ciprofloxacin (61.5%) was similar to that of amoxicillin (63.2%), with resistance to imipenem at a much lower level (7% of isolated bacteria). Furthermore, in E. coli strains isolated from organic poultry fertilizer in Brazil, most were resistant to more than five tested antimicrobials [37].…”

Cama de aves de corral un factor importante en la seguridad alimentaria

“…Esto indica que realmente es fundamental conocer el estado microbiológico de las camas, para poder plantear y tomar medidas que contribuyan a la reducción de la carga de patógenos y por lo tanto evitar infección en las aves. Igualmente, es necesario resaltar que así el material de la cama sea sometido a algún tipo de tratamiento es necesario realizar de nuevo análisis microbiológicos que permitan verificar la eficacia de los mismos, ya que a pesar de que el compostaje es un método adecuado para eliminar patógenos, antibióticos y genes de resistencia a antibióticos (ARG) en el estiércol (Soliman et al, 2018), se ha encontrado que la eficacia de este proceso es cuestionable, puesto que es posible que la técnica no siempre sea suficiente para garantizar la inactivación completa de los patógenos y la reducción de los ARG dentro de toda la masa de compost (Castañeda-Salazar et al, 2018;Agostinho et al, 2020). Además, existe otra preocupación como es la presencia de los metales pesados, los cuales no se degradan y / o eliminan, por el contrario pueden concentrarse durante el proceso de compostaje, lo que representa una presión de selección bacteriana a largo plazo (Yang et al, 2017).…”

“…Este material, habitualmente contiene residuos de antimicrobianos, amoniaco, plaguicidas y patógenos zoonoticos, los cuales representan un peligro para las aves (Brooks et al, 2016). Después de su uso en la avicultura, la cama es utilizada como fertilizante, muchas veces sin un tratamiento correcto, contaminando el medio ambiente e incluso los vegetales cultivados para consumo humano, lo que podría desencadenar brotes de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Alimentos (ETA) (Agostinho et al, 2020).…”