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

Abstract

Background: 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. at hatcheries (n = 33), broiler farms (n = 122) and LBMs (n = 69). 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: 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, in live bird markets, Campylobacter spp. was detected in higher prevalence in broiler meat (14/26, 54%), which could have an association with bacterial contamination in drinking water sources (11/21, 52%) and floor (9/21, 43%). Representative isolates (n = 71) were differentiated into two species: Campylobacter jejuni (66%) and Campylobacter coli (34%). Majority of C. jejuni (33/47, 70%) and C. coli (14/24, 58%) strains were observed to be MDR, predominantly showing resistance to amoxycilin, tetracycline and erythromycin, and additionally to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, streptomycin, and azithromycin. Residual antimicrobials, including oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, were detected in majority of broiler liver (79%) and meat (62%) samples. Alarmingly, 33% and 19% of the liver and meat samples, respectively, contained residual antimicrobial concentration above acceptable limit. Inadequate personal and environmental hygiene, unscrupulously use of antimicrobials, improper waste disposal, and lack of health surveillance and quarantine facilities of diseased birds were distinguishable anthropogenic risk factors, with local diversity and compound influences on MDR pathogens. Conclusion: The observed large-scale occurrence of MDR C. jejuni and C. coli and residual antimicrobials in poultry value chain reflects an alarming situation for public health in Bangladesh. Potential contamination sources of MDR Campylobacter and the combined influences of diverse socio-environmental risk factors, 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.

Antimicrobial uses for livestock production in developing countries

“…Second, there is a reduced efficacy of antibiotic therapy in animals colonized with resistant bacteria [59]. There is evidence that resistance in some human enteric pathogens has emerged due to the transfer of resistant bacteria or resistance genes from animals to humans through the food chain or through the contaminated environment [25,26,58]. The scientific reports that have published on multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from food animals and products in developing countries are summarized in Table-3 [25,[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79].…”

“…In less severe cases, alteration of microflora and the possible development of AMR may be developed [20][21][22]. Some commensal bacteria found in food-producing animals frequently propagates in fresh meat and milk products and may serve as reservoirs for resistant genes that could be transferred to pathogenic organisms in humans [20,[23][24][25].…”

Antimicrobial resistance situation in animal health of Bangladesh

“…Reports on the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant crucial foodborne pathogen Campylobacter from different areas of Bangladesh revealed the contamination of broiler meat with MDR Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli with varying degree of resistance against several antibiotics ( Table-1 ). In addition, oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin residues were detected in the majority of broiler liver and meat samples, some of which had a concentration above the acceptable limit [ 21 ].…”

“…The Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Government of Bangladesh is the mandated body to formulate and execute a surveillance program on AMR and implement NAP strategies in the animal health sector of the country. Although the patterns and extent of AMR development in the animal-borne pathogens of Bangladesh have been reported in some studies [ 8 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 ], DLS has not yet looked deep into the matter. Before launching an AMR surveillance program in animal health sector of Bangladesh, it is utmost necessary to understand the knowledge gaps by analyzing nature and extent of the problem.…”

Salmonella Gallinarum in Small-Scale Commercial Layer Flocks: Occurrence, Molecular Diversity and Antibiogram

“…reported for poultry samples in different geographical locations, e.g., France, Japan, Tanzania, and United Kingdom, respectively [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ], could be attributable to geo-climatic variations. Nonetheless, differential anthropogenic risk factors, namely, age of the birds, flock size, feed, hygienic condition of the farm, and environmental determinants, including transmission from poultry litter, pest, and rodent may influence the preponderance of pathogenic microbes such as Salmonella Gallinarum in small-scale poultry farms [ 51 , 52 ].…”