Antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from broiler flocks

Abstract

In this study 176 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and 69 isolates of Campylobacter coli detected in samples from broiler fl ocks were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility. The antimicrobial resistance of each isolate was determined for the following antimicrobial agents: erythromycin, ciprofl oxacin, tetracycline, streptomycin and gentamicin. The parameters used for the determination of the antimicrobial resistance are given in the Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically; approved standard M7-A4 (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, USA). The results of the testing showed that C. jejuni isolates expressed highest antimicrobial resistance towards ciprofl oxacine (42,4% of resistant isolates) and tetracycline (39,77%). Much lower antimicrobial resistance was detected towards erythromycin (5,11%), streptomycin (3,4%) and gentamicin (1,7%). Similar conclusions were made after the analysis of the C. coli isolates. Highest resistance was detected towards ciprofl oxacin (62,3%) and tetracycline (57,97%). Only 12 isolates of C. coli (17,39%) showed resistance to streptomycin, while the resistance detected towards erythromycin (11,59%) and gentamicin (1,44%) was similar to the resistance detected in C. jejuni isolates. Overall, higher antimicrobial resistance was detected to quinolones and tetracyclines and lower resistance towards macrolides and aminoglycosides. Observing the results it can be noticed that C. jejuni and C. coli showed low resistance to erythromycin and gentamicin. The results emphasize the higher resistance of C. coli versus C. jejuni to ciprofl oxacin, tetracycline, streptomycin and erythromycin.

Keywords

• broiler flocks
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Campylobacter coli
• antimicrobial resistance.