Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial‐resistant Enterococcus faecalis in poultry

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was identified among the most relevant antimicrobial‐resistant (AMR) bacteria in the EU for poultry in a previous scientific opinion. Thus, it has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on its eligibility to be listed, Annex IV for its categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as in Article 9 and Article 8 for listing animal species related to the bacterium. The assessment has been performed following a methodology previously published. The outcome is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether each criterion is fulfilled (lower bound ≥ 66%) or not (upper bound ≤ 33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment. Reasoning points are reported for criteria with uncertain outcome. According to the assessment here performed, it is uncertain whether AMR E. faecalis can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the AHL (33–66% probability). According to the criteria in Annex IV, for the purpose of categorisation related to the level of prevention and control as in Article 9 of the AHL, the AHAW Panel concluded that the bacterium does not meet the criteria in Sections 1, 2 and 4 (Categories A, B and D; 0–5%, 5–10% and 1–10% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively) and the AHAW Panel is uncertain whether it meets the criteria in Sections 3 and 5 (Categories C and E, 33–66% and 33–66% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively). The animal species to be listed for AMR E. faecalis according to Article 8 criteria are mostly birds of the orders Galliformes and Anseriformes, but also mammals and reptiles can serve as reservoirs.

Antimicrobial-Resistant Enterococcus spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy

“…isolated from domestic and wild mammals. Moreover, the role of poultry as a source of antibiotic-resistant enterococci has been documented, too [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

In Vitro Evaluation of Phytobiotic Mixture Antibacterial Potential against Enterococcus spp. Strains Isolated from Broiler Chicken

“…The most common strains in poultry are E. feacalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae and E. cecorum. E. faecalis, most common in poultry, is identified as among the most relevant antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterium in the EU for poultry [8], being responsible for endocarditis [9][10][11], hepatic granulomas in turkeys [12] and arthritis and amyloidosis both in layers [13] and broiler breeders [14,15]. Moreover, it causes septicemia, salpingitis and peritonitis [13,16], growth depression and poor flock uniformity [17], pulmonary hypertension syndrome [18] and amyloid arthropathy [14,19].…”

Restriction of the growth and biofilm formation ofESKAPEpathogens by caprine gut-derived probiotic bacteria

“…Notably, the L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 strain is well-known for its strong biofilm growth inhibition against a majority of the P. aeruginosa strains [26,27]. EFSA has listed E. faecalis as an opportunistic pathogen for birds, poultry, and reptiles [28]. Enterococcus faecalis has also been detected in animals, meat, and meat-based products, as well as from human fecal samples and patients with bloodstream infections [29].…”