Safety of Retailed Poultry: Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli From Raw Chicken and Poultry Fecal Matter From Selected Farms and Retail Outlets in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the safety of retailed poultry using the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli ( E. coli), a dominant intestinal microflora. Methods: Two medium-scale farms and 8 well-known retail outlets within the La-Nkwantanang Madina municipality in Accra were purposively selected for sampling from January to March 2020. We randomly sampled raw chicken (n = 25) and poultry fecal matter (n = 50). All samples were immediately transported on ice to the laboratory for analysis within 12 hours after collection. Conventional culture techniques, biochemical tests, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were used for isolation and identification. The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated E. coli strains (n = 36) was tested using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Antimicrobial resistance in E. coli ranged from 10.7 % (cefotaxime) to 82.1% (tetracycline) in fecal matter and 0% (gentamicin & cefotaxime) to 62.5% (tetracycline) in chicken. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in fecal samples was higher than in chicken for almost all antibiotics tested, except for cefoxitin, cefuroxime, and ceftazidime. Multidrug resistance was 57.1% in E. coli from fecal samples compared to 62.5% in chicken. Conclusion: The high level of resistance to E. coli in fecal matter is of public health concern because cross-contamination often occurs during slaughter and processing. This calls for close surveillance and strict adherence to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in the chicken production chain to prevent the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli strains through the food chain.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from laying hens in Zambia: implications and significance on one health

“… 87 Additionally, our findings are consistent with those reported in other studies. 14 , 53 , 60 , 85 , 94 The resistance of E. coli to ampicillin may indicate the misuse of penicillins in the poultry sector. Additionally, studies in humans have also reported high resistance of E. coli to ampicillin.…”

Molecular mechanism of antimicrobial co-resistance Colistin (mcr-1) and ESBLs genes among Escherichia coli isolates from commercial chickens in Pakistan

“…The un-due usage of antimicrobials is also rendering meat/ eggs for human consumption as well as transfer the resistance to humans (Dube and Mbanga, 2018). Principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) make sure about consumption of chicken meat under the strict rule of surveillance and adherence to avoid the antimicrobial resistant contaminated strains through food chain (Mensah et al, 2022). Raw chicken meat is ideal substrate for contamination of infected strain due to poor hygienic condition, lack of knowledge about antimicrobial destruction while consuming the meat (Odwar et al, 2014) Therefore, in this cross sectional study, we investigated the phenotypic and genotypic basis of antimicrobial resistance among E. coli isolates from meat producing commercial chickens from different commercial farms located in Faisalabad-Pakistan.…”

First detection and characterization of mcr-1 colistin resistant E. coli from wild rat in Bangladesh

“…Because of their inherent nature of dwelling human and animal food resources, rats are frequently seen in the household and farm environment especially poultry farms in Bangladesh. Recently, colistin resistant and MDR E. coli has been reported from fecal samples and poultry farm environments in Bangladesh and other part of the world [10,14,20] indicating a high chance of rats being exposed to such critical pathogens. And because of shared habitat, rats might be involved in the transmission of AMR including colistin resistant E. coli to human and livestock especially to poultry farms.…”

“…Recently, colistin resistant and MDR E . coli has been reported from fecal samples and poultry farm environments in Bangladesh and other part of the world [ 10 , 14 , 20 ] indicating a high chance of rats being exposed to such critical pathogens. And because of shared habitat, rats might be involved in the transmission of AMR including colistin resistant E .…”