Occurrence and multidrug resistance of Campylobacter spp. at duck farms and associated environmental and anthropogenic risk factors in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background The alarming rise in multi-drug resistant (MDR) zoonotic pathogens, including Campylobacter spp., has been threatening the health sector globally. In Bangladesh, despite rapid growth in poultry sector little is known about the potential risks of zoonotic pathogens in homestead duck flocks. The aim of this study was to understand the occurrence, species diversity, and multi-drug resistance in Campylobacter spp., and identify the associated risk factors in duck farms in Bangladesh. Methods The study involved 20 duck farms at 6 sub-districts of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Monthly occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in potential sources at the farms during February-September, 2018, was detected by culture and PCR-based methods. Campylobacter isolates were examined for resistance to different antimicrobials. Risk factors, concerning climatic and environmental disposition, farm management, and anthropogenic practices, of Campylobacter infection were estimated by participatory epidemiological tools. Results Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was detected in overall 36.90% (155/420) samples, more frequently in drinking water (60%, 30/50), followed by cloacal swab (37.50%, 75/200), egg surface swab (35%, 35/100) and soil of the duck resting places (30%, 15/50) but was not detected in feed samples (n = 20). PCR assays distinguished the majority (61.30%, 95/155) of the isolates as C. coli, while the rest (38.70%, 60/155) were C. jejuni. Notably, 41.7% (25/60) and 31.6% (30/95) strains of C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, were observed to be MDR. The dynamics of Campylobacter spp., distinctly showing higher abundance during summer and late-monsoon, correlated significantly with temperature, humidity, and rainfall, while sunshine hours had a negative influence. Anthropogenic management-related factors, including, inadequate hygiene practices, use of untreated river water, wet duck shed, flock age (1–6 months), and unscrupulous use of antimicrobials were identified to enhance the risk of MDR Campylobacter infection. Conclusion The present study clearly demonstrates that duck farms contribute to the enhanced occurrence and spread of potentially pathogenic and MDR C. coli and C. jejuni strains and the bacterial dynamics are governed by a combined interaction of environmental and anthropogenic factors. A long-term holistic research at the environment-animal-human interface would be integral to divulge health risk reduction approaches tackling the spread of Campylobacter spp. from duck farms.

Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni in commercial and smallholder farm animals in the Asante Akim North Municipality of Ghana

“…There is no consensus on which of the two Campylobacter species, C. coli and C. jejuni, is dominant in poultry and livestock. In agreement with our findings, recent studies from Africa, Asia, and Europe have reported significantly more C. coli in chicken (Torralbo et al, 2015;Wieczorek et al, 2020), ducks (Uddin et al, 2021), poultry meat (Dekker et al, 2019), and pigs (Padungtod and Kaneene, 2005;Wieczorek et al, 2021). On the contrary, several studies have found almost exclusively C. jejuni in chicken (Guyard-Nicodème et al, 2015;Karikari et al, 2016), poultry meat (Szosland-Fałtyn et al, 2018), quails (Cox et al, 2018), and wild birds (Hald et al, 2015).…”

Recent trends and scenario of antibiotic use in veterinary practices for livestock production in Bangladesh: a review

“…The improper antimicrobial drug used for humans is diffusive in developing countries and is a significant contributor to growing the public health threat of AMR-resistant bacteria (Roess et al, 2013). In recent years, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and poultry is thought to be an important factor to develop of AMR Al-Salauddin et al, 2015;Sohidullah et al, 2016;Rahman et al, 2016;Talukder and Ahmed, 2016;Roy et al, 2017;Jahan et al, 2017;Kabir et al, 2018a;Kabir et al, 2018b;Kamal et al, 2018;Alam et al, 2019;Rumi et al, 2019;Saif et al, 2019;Masud et al, 2020;Alam et al, 2020;Sarker et al, 2020;Mridha et al, 2020;Matubber et al, 2021;Uddin et al, 2021;Tresha et al, 2021;Eashmen et al, 2021;Haque et al, 2021;Hosain et al, 2021;Arif et al, 2022;Hoque et al, 2022). In Bangladesh, the most common reason for choosing an antimicrobial is personal experience and perception (68%), rather than the cultural sensitivity test which may be due to a lack of vet diagnostic facilities and the unwillingness of the veterinary personnel (Pokharel et al, 2020).…”

Antimicrobial Usage, Susceptibility Profiles, and Resistance Genes in Campylobacter Isolated from Cattle, Chicken, and Water Samples in Kajiado County, Kenya

“…Campylobacters are widely distributed as a normal flora in the gut of both domestic and wild animals, and are also found in environmental samples, including surface water, soil, and feeds [ 1 ]. The incidence of campylobacters in environmental sources is mainly related to fecal contamination.…”