Antimicrobial Use Survey and Detection of ESBL-<i>Escherichia coli</i> in Commercial and Medium-/Small-Scale Poultry Farms in Selected Districts of Zambia
Taona Sinyawa,
Misheck Shawa,
Geoffrey M. Muuka,
Fusya Goma,
Paul Fandamu,
Joseph Yamweka Chizimu,
Cynthia Sipho Khumalo,
Malala Mulavu,
Masuzyo Ngoma,
Herman Moses Chambaro,
Harvey Kakoma Kamboyi,
Masahiro Kajihara,
Hirofumi Sawa,
Yasuhiko Suzuki,
Hideaki Higashi,
Geoffrey Mainda,
Musso Munyeme,
John Bwalya Muma,
Christian Owusu Nyantakyi,
Beverly Egyir,
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe
Affiliations
Taona Sinyawa
Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chilanga, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Misheck Shawa
Hokudai Centre for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Geoffrey M. Muuka
Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka 15100, Zambia
Fusya Goma
Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka 15100, Zambia
Paul Fandamu
Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka 15100, Zambia
Joseph Yamweka Chizimu
Zambia National Public Health Institute, Stand 1186, Coner of Chaholi and Addis Ababa Roads, Rhodes Park, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Cynthia Sipho Khumalo
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Malala Mulavu
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Masuzyo Ngoma
Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chilanga, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Herman Moses Chambaro
Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Chilanga, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Harvey Kakoma Kamboyi
Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
Masahiro Kajihara
Hokudai Centre for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Hirofumi Sawa
Hokudai Centre for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Yasuhiko Suzuki
Division of Bioresources, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
Hideaki Higashi
Division of Infection and Immunity, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
Geoffrey Mainda
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Chaholi Road, Rhodes Park, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Musso Munyeme
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
John Bwalya Muma
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Christian Owusu Nyantakyi
Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana
Beverly Egyir
Bacteriology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana
Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe
Microbiology Unit, Department of Para-Clinical Studies, Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals (ACEIDHA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Escherichia coli from food animals is a rising problem, and heavy antimicrobial use in poultry is a contributing factor. In Zambia, studies linking poultry-associated AMR and antibiotic use (AMU) are rare. This study aimed to investigate commercial and medium-/small-scale poultry farmers’ usage of antimicrobials based on a questionnaire survey in ten districts of Zambia. In addition, the study characterized extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates obtained from poultry in the same districts. Data regarding knowledge and usage of antimicrobials were collected from commercial and medium-/small-scale poultry farmers using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. At the same time, cloacal samples were collected and analyzed. One hundred and fifty E. coli isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using eight antibiotic classes. The isolates were further screened for ESBL production by streaking them on cefotaxime (CTX)-supplemented MacConkey agar, then subjecting them to sequencing on a NextSeq. The questionnaire survey showed that more medium-/small-scale than commercial poultry farmers used antimicrobials (OR = 7.70, 95% CI = 2.88–20.61) but less prescriptions (OR = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.00–0.08). Susceptibility testing revealed that resistance was highest to ampicillin (128/148, 86.5%) and tetracycline (101/136, 74.3%) and that the prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) (28/30, 93.3%) was high. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of eight (8/30, 26.7%) isolates with CTX Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ≥ 4 µg/mL revealed the presence of ESBL-encoding genes blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-55, and blaTEM. WGS also detected other AMR genes for quinolones, aminoglycosides, phenicols, tetracycline, macrolides, and folate-pathway antagonists. Altogether, the questionnaire survey results showed a higher proportion of AMU and lower prescription usage among medium-/small-scale farmers. In addition, our results emphasize the circulation of ESBL-producing E. coli strains with associated MDR. It is critical to educate farmers about AMR risks and to encourage responsible usage of antimicrobials. Furthermore, there is a need to strengthen regulations limiting access to antimicrobials. Finally, there is a need to establish a one health system to guide public health response.
