Abstract
We identified 1218 Campylobacter coli isolates from fecal and carcass samples of pigs (n = 643) and chickens (n = 575) between 2010 and 2018. About 99% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. The isolates exhibited high resistance rates (>75%) to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline. Azithromycin and erythromycin resistance rates were the highest in isolates from pigs (39.7% and 39.2%, respectively) compared to those of chickens (15.8% and 16.3%, respectively). Additionally, a low-to-moderate proportion of the isolates were resistant to florfenicol, gentamicin, clindamycin, and telithromycin. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was found in 83.1% of the isolates, and profiles of MDR usually included ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline. We found point mutation (A2075G) in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene in the majority of erythromycin-resistant isolates. Multilocus sequence typing of 137 erythromycin-resistant C. coli isolates revealed 37 previously reported sequence types (STs) and 8 novel STs. M192I, A103VI, and G74A substitutions were frequently noted in the ribosomal proteins L4 or L22. Further, we identified a considerable proportion (>90%) of erythromycin-resistant isolates carrying virulence factor genes: flaA, cadF, ceuE, and VirB. The prudent use of antimicrobials and regular microbiological investigation in food animals will be vital in limiting the public health hazards of C. coli in Korea.
Highlights
Campylobacter species are commensal bacteria that reside within the gastrointestinal tract of many wild and domestic animals
The highest resistance rates were observed in chicken isolates compared to that of pigs
The macrolide resistance rate was high in pig isolates compared to that of chicken isolates
Summary
Campylobacter species are commensal bacteria that reside within the gastrointestinal tract of many wild and domestic animals. They are among the most important foodborne pathogens that cause human gastroenteritis worldwide [1]. In European countries, human cases of campylobacteriosis have exceeded those caused by classic enteric bacteria such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli, with about 214,000 confirmed cases reported in 2016 [3]. Data from low and middle-income countries indicated that the rate of Campylobacter infection has increased over the past decade [4,5,6]. Most cases of Campylobacter enteritis are self-limiting, severe or prolonged cases of enteritis, septicemia, and other extraintestinal infections may require antibiotic treatment [4].
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