Antibiotic Resistance in Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Broiler Chicken Meat and Human Patients in Estonia

Abstract

Poultry meat is considered the most important source of Campylobacter spp. Because of rising antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp., this study investigated the antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolates from fresh broiler chicken meat originating from the Baltic countries sold in Estonian retail settings. Additionally, human clinical isolates obtained from patients with Campylobacter enteritis in Estonia were analysed. The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, streptomycin, erythromycin and gentamicin. The broth microdilution method with the EUCAMP2 panel was used for MIC determination and antimicrobial mechanisms were analysed using WGS data. A total of 46 Campylobacter strains were analysed, of which 26 (42.6%) originated from Lithuanian, 16 (26.2%) from Latvian, and 4 (6.6%) from Estonian fresh broiler chicken meat. In addition, 15 (24.6%) Campylobacter strains of patients with campylobacteriosis were tested. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of Campylobacter spp. isolated from fresh broiler chicken meat samples of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian origin collected in Estonian retail, and from patients with Campylobacter enteric infections, were determined. A total of 46 (75%) of the isolates tested were C. jejuni and 15 (25%) were C. coli. Campylobacter resistance was highest to nalidixic acid (90.2% of strains) and ciprofloxacin (90.2%), followed by tetracycline (57.4%), streptomycin (42.6%) and erythromycin (6.6%). All strains were sensitive to gentamicin. Additionally, antimicrobial resistance genes and point mutations were detected in 27 C. jejuni and 8 C. coli isolates previously assigned as resistant with the phenotypic method. A high antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter spp. in Lithuanian- and Latvian-origin broiler chicken meat and Estonian clinical isolates was found. Similar antibiotic resistance patterns were found for broiler chicken meat and human Campylobacter isolates.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Human and Poultry Samples in Georgia (Caucasus)

“…in EU member states. In particular, both C. jejuni and C. coli from poultry sources in the EU exhibited high resistance against (fluoro-)quinolones and tetracycline, which is in line with our data [ 6 , 23 , 24 ]. However, notably, the resistance rate to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline was 100% in isolates from industrial poultry samples in Georgia, while in backyard chicken and in human isolates Campylobacter strains displayed slightly lower resistance against both antimicrobials.…”

Multiplex Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Erythromycin Resistance Determinants from Human and Foodborne Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

“…McGill et al [52] found similar resistance prevalence to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline between food and human isolates in Ireland from 2001 to 2002. Similarly, in Estonia, Tedersoo et al [53] found a comparable resistance to antibiotics for broiler chicken meat collected between 2018 and 2019 and human Campylobacter isolates. The appearance of resistant Campylobacter isolates in humans and animals likely reflects the wide use of antibiotics in poultry production.…”

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter Isolated from Animals and Poultry in Ukraine

“…For example, Denmark has restricted the use of carbapenems, fluoroquinolones and colistin. In Sweden, only isolated outbreaks of the use of antibiotics in production are known (Tedersoo et al, 2022)…”