Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated from the Nasal Cavity of Camels in Samburu, Nakuru, and Isiolo Counties of Kenya

Abstract

This study was designed to determine antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from the nasal cavity of healthy camels. A total of 255 nasal samples (swabs) were collected in Isiolo, Samburu, and Nakuru counties, Kenya, from which 404 bacterial isolates belonging to various genera and species were recovered. The bacterial isolates included Bacillus (39.60%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29.95%), Streptococcus species other than Streptococcus agalactiae (25.74%), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (3.96%), and Streptococcus agalactiae (0.74%). Isolates were most susceptible to Gentamicin (95.8%), followed by Tetracycline (90.5%), Kanamycin and Chloramphenicol (each at 85.3%), Sulphamethoxazole (84.2%), Co-trimoxazole (82.1%), Ampicillin (78.9%), and finally Streptomycin (76.8%). This translated to low resistance levels. Multidrug resistance was also reported in 30.5% of the isolates tested. Even though the antibiotic resistance demonstrated in this study is low, the observation is significant, since the few resistant normal flora could be harboring resistance genes which can be transferred to pathogenic bacteria within the animal, to other animals' bacteria and, most seriously, to human pathogens.

Investigation of extramammary sources of Group BStreptococcusreveals its unusual ecology and epidemiology in camels

“…Interestingly, isolates originating from milk were more likely to be tetracycline resistant than isolates from other sampling sites. This is in agreement with previous findings of high levels of tetracycline resistance in GBS from milk [7] and tetracycline resistance being less common in GBS from the nasal mucosa in camels [38]. In cattle, treatment of mastitis with tetracycline has been shown to be inefficient and results in subtherapeutic concentrations in the udder, something that would promote development or acquisition of resistance in udder pathogens [57,58].…”

“…We found a high prevalence of GBS on the nasal mucosa of apparently healthy animals, similar to the findings by Younan and Bornstein [12], but in contrast to the low prevalence described in neighbouring counties [38]. Furthermore, isolates from the nasal mucosa showed a high level of genetic diversity, with isolates belonging to all STs identified in the study, with the exception of ST616, an ST which is significantly associated with the mammary gland [39].…”

Causes of organ condemnations in cattle at slaughter and associated financial losses in Siaya County, Kenya

“…However, the absence of inflammatory changes was not characteristic of infection by the bacteria isolated; the occurrence of these organisms in the lung tissue could have accompanied the aspirated materials. Besides, previous studies have isolated similar bacteria from the upper respiratory tract of normal camels at slaughter in Athi River, Kenya (Mutua et al, 2017). Pulmonary blood aspiration observed in this study can be attributed to lack of stunning during the slaughter process; in which the loss of consciousness is prolonged, leading to aspiration of blood (Gregory et al, 2009).…”

Assessment of General Public’s Knowledge and Opinions towards Antibiotic Use and Bacterial Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Urban Setting, Rufisque, Senegal

“…Nearly 68% of respondents agreed that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals can have a negative impact on human health. Most antibiotics used in animals belong to the same classes of antimicrobials used in human medicine [17,67]. In some African countries, including Senegal, more than 80% of animal products contain drug residues [68].…”