Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter in Conventional and No Antibiotics Ever Broiler Farms

Estefanía Novoa Rama; Matthew Bailey; Sanjay Kumar; Cortney Leone; Hendrik den Bakker; Harshavardhan Thippareddi; Manpreet Singh

Journal of Food Protection (Mar 2024)

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter in Conventional and No Antibiotics Ever Broiler Farms

Estefanía Novoa Rama,
Matthew Bailey,
Sanjay Kumar,
Cortney Leone,
Hendrik den Bakker,
Harshavardhan Thippareddi,
Manpreet Singh

Affiliations

Estefanía Novoa Rama: University of Georgia, Department of Food Science and Technology, 100 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Matthew Bailey: Auburn University, Department of Poultry Science, 260 Lem Morrison Dr., Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Sanjay Kumar: University of Georgia, Department of Poultry Science, 110 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Cortney Leone: University of Georgia, Department of Food Science and Technology, 100 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Hendrik den Bakker: University of Georgia, Department of Food Science and Technology, 100 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Harshavardhan Thippareddi: University of Georgia, Department of Poultry Science, 110 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Manpreet Singh: University of Georgia, Department of Food Science and Technology, 100 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 87, no. 3
p. 100238

Abstract

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Campylobacter is a leading cause of enteric disease worldwide. No antibiotics ever (NAE) poultry has become increasingly popular, yet little is known about the incidence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Campylobacter in this production system. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, concentration, and AMR of Campylobacter in conventional (CV) and NAE-raised broilers. Two CV and two NAE commercial broiler flocks were included in this study. Cecum (n = 420) and ileum (n = 420) of chickens were collected at different stages during the broiler grow-out phase and following transportation to the processing plant. Samples of litter (n = 24), feed (n = 24), and water (n = 24) were also collected. Screening for Campylobacter was conducted using real-time PCR assay, and enumeration was performed by direct plating on Campy Cefex agar. Campylobacter isolates were confirmed by real-time PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated following the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) methods. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was used to identify AMR genes carried by the resistant isolates. Campylobacter prevalence reached 100% within the first 3 weeks of summer production under both NAE and CV rearing. A lower Campylobacter prevalence was detected in conventionally raised broilers during fall (P ≤ 0.05), yet no change in prevalence was observed in NAE birds (P > 0.05). Populations were high in the cecum, carrying an average of 6.6 Log10 CFU/g after transportation, and antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter was isolated from CV broilers during the fall. Three isolates (1.2%), identified as C. coli, carrying the gyrA and tet(O) genes, exhibited simultaneous resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid. Results from this study can help identify important shifts in gut microbial community dynamics and Campylobacter prevalence associated with antibiotic administration within commercial poultry operations.

Published in Journal of Food Protection

ISSN: 0362-028X (Print); 1944-9097 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Food processing and manufacture; Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-food-protection

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