The presence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli in smallholder pig farms in Uganda

Abstract

Background The development of antimicrobial resistance is of global concern, and is commonly monitored by the analysis of certain bacteria. The aim of the present study was to study the antibiotic susceptibility in isolates of Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia (E.) coli obtained from healthy pigs originating from nineteen herds enrolled in a study on herd health management in Lira district, northern Uganda. Skin and nasal swabs were analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus spp., and selectively cultivated to investigate the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA), and rectal swabs were analyzed for the presence of E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by broth micro-dilution. Information on the antibiotic usage and treatment regimens during the previous year was gathered using structured interviews and longitudinal data. Results In Staphylococcus spp., resistance to penicillin (10/19 isolates; 53%), fusidic acid (42%) and tetracycline (37%) were most commonly found. In E. coli, resistance to sulfamethoxazole (46/52 isolates; 88%), tetracycline (54%) and trimethoprim (17%) was most frequent. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was found in one sample (1/50; 2%). Multi-drug resistant isolates of Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli were found in 54 and 47% of the herds, respectively. At the herd level, no associations could be made between antibiotic resistance and herd size or treatment regimens for either of the bacteria. Conclusion In conclusion, resistance to important antibiotics frequently used in animals in Uganda was common, and the presence of MRSA was demonstrated, in Ugandan pig herds.

Using whole-genome sequence data to examine the epidemiology of Salmonella, Escherichia coli and associated antimicrobial resistance in raccoons (Procyon lotor), swine manure pits, and soil samples on swine farms in southern Ontario, Canada

“…In wild birds, where genomic investigations are becoming increasingly common, Enterobacteriales containing resistance genes to high-priority antimicrobials (e.g., bla CTX-M-65 , bla IMP-4 , mcr-1 ), and international clones have been identified [ 8 , 43 – 45 ]. The resistance identified in raccoons and other sources on swine farms in our study mirrors that found in swine in other parts of the world (e.g., sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines) [ 46 – 48 ]. Our findings of widespread tetracycline resistance genes ( tetA , tetB ) that were not associated with particular sources, locations, or years are plausibly driven by the swine farm environment, since tetracyclines, among other antimicrobials, are among the more commonly used antimicrobials in the Canadian swine industry [ 49 , 50 ].…”

Antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli from diarrheic piglets from pig farms in Thailand that harbor colistin-resistant mcr genes

“…These results contribute to the overall picture of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli in the pig industry. Studies from many countries showed that MDR- E. coli isolates from pigs were 86.2% in US (between November 2013 and December 2014) 16 , 81.1% in Vietnam (from July to September 2019) 21 , 47% in Uganda 22 , 57.3% in Indonesia (between March 2017 and February 2018) 23 , 72.5% in Brazil 24 , and 81% in China 25 . In Spain, colistin-resistant E. coli isolates from pig farms were 91.6% resistant to at least three different antimicrobial classes 8 ; in addition, 100% of mcr -positive E .…”

Geographic and Socioeconomic Influence on Knowledge and Practices Related to Antimicrobial Resistance among Smallholder Pig Farmers in Uganda

“…Current and emerging hotspots for AMR bacteria in livestock have, however, been identified in Egypt, South Africa and Kenya, indicating that the problem is existent and on the rise in Africa as well [ 10 ]. In Uganda, from which the data presented in this paper are collected, studies have shown varying frequency of AMR bacteria, including multi-drug resistant ones, in both human and animal samples [ 13 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Neighboring countries, such as Kenya and Tanzania, seem to share a similar situation, according to several studies [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”