Risk of multi-drug resistant Campylobacter spp. and residual antimicrobials at poultry farms and live bird markets in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Understanding potential risks of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens from the booming poultry sector is a crucial public health concern. Campylobacter spp. are among the most important zoonotic pathogens associated with MDR infections in poultry and human. This study systematically examined potential risks and associated socio-environmental factors of MDR Campylobacter spp. in poultry farms and live bird markets (LBMs) of Bangladesh. Methods: Microbial culture and PCR-based methods were applied to examine the occurrence and MDR patterns of Campylobacter spp. in potential sources (n = 224) at 7 hatcheries, 9 broiler farms and 4 LBMs in three sub-districts. Antimicrobial residues in broiler meat and liver samples (n = 50) were detected by advanced chromatographic techniques. A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted on socio-environmental factors. Results: Overall, 32% (71/ 224) samples were found contaminated with Campylobacter spp. In poultry farms, Campylobacter spp. was primarily found in cloacal swab (21/49, 43%), followed by drinking water (8/24, 33%), and meat (8/28, 29%) samples of broilers. Remarkably, at LBMs, Campylobacter spp. was detected in higher prevalence (p < 0.05) in broiler meat (14/26, 54%), which could be related (p < 0.01) to bacterial contamination of drinking water (11/21, 52%) and floor (9/21, 43%). Campylobacter isolates, one from each of 71 positive samples, were differentiated into Campylobacter jejuni (66%) and Campylobacter coli (34%). Alarmingly, 49 and 42% strains of C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, were observed as MDR, i.e., resistant to three or more antimicrobials, including, tetracycline, amoxicillin, streptomycin, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. Residual antimicrobials (oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin) were detected in majority of broiler liver (79%) and meat (62%) samples, among which 33 and 19%, respectively, had concentration above acceptable limit. Inadequate personal and environmental hygiene, unscrupulously use of antimicrobials, improper waste disposal, and lack of health surveillance were distinguishable risk factors, with local diversity and compound influences on MDR pathogens.Conclusion: Potential contamination sources and anthropogenic factors associated with the alarming occurrence of MDR Campylobacter, noted in this study, would aid in developing interventions to minimize the increasing risks of poultry-associated MDR pathogens under 'One Health' banner that includes poultry, human and environment perspectives.

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in Selected Small Scale Commercial Broiler Farms of Bangladesh Related to Good Farm Practices

“…The drinking water of 18.8% (12/64) poultry farms was found to be contaminated with Campylobacter. The result obtained from this study was corroborated by another research conducted in Bangladesh as presence of 33% Campylobacter contamination in drinking water samples from broiler farms [21]. The present study further confirmed as 18.8% (12/64) farm attendants' hand rinsed water were found to be Campylobacter positive as they were exposed to contaminated flocks and water or even poultry cages during working at the farms.…”

“…However, use of protective materials like mask and gloves, aprons are needed that will minimize further exposure of zoonotic pathogens [47,48]. Likewise, the study confirmed 20.3% (13 in 64) feed samples found to be positive with Campylobacter that disagrees with the other research as 0% Campylobacter positive status confirmed [21]. Since the feed sampling was accomplished using the pool samples (both from feeder and stored feed) from the surveyed farms, this positivity status of the feed sample due to cross contamination from the infected feeds at poultry feeder.…”

“…A positive status of 32% Campylobacter in broiler flocks was found in India [ 35 ], and 29% and 21.5% in Pakistan [ 36 , 37 ]. However, Campylobacter occurrence in broiler samples was confirmed as 32% and 40.5% in Bangladesh [ 20 , 21 ]. Conversely, relatively a higher prevalence of Campylobacter in broiler samples was reported in Sri Lanka as 67% as a result of higher temperature in this country comparing to the other parts of Indian subcontinent [ 38 ].…”

“…A significant number of studies have been conducted regarding the prevalence, molecular detection, and antibiotic sensitivity test of Campylobacter spp. in broiler and layer poultry in organized farms and LBMs of Bangladesh [18][19][20][21]. However, campylobacteriosis in the major production system (small scale sector three category) in terms of occurrence and its comparison with good farm practices has yet to be explored.…”

Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Molecular Mechanisms of Campylobacter From Chicken and Pig in China

“…strains resistant to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and erythromycin is increasing (García-Fernández et al, 2018). A tendency to detect increasing multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains has been reported in both humans (Feizabadi et al, 2007) and food-producing animals (Li et al, 2016;Neogi et al, 2020). The potential risk of MDR Campylobacter spread from animals to human is of great concern.…”