Abstract
The use of antimicrobials in the livestock sector has been identified as a driver for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and AMR has become a growing public health and economic threat in the Lao PDR. We conducted surveillance for AMR in five provinces of the Lao PDR, in order to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from caecal samples from slaughtered pigs at slaughterhouses and from slaughtered chickens at markets during two different time periods: 2018/2019 and 2020/2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using a panel of 14 antimicrobials using the broth microdilution technique. E. coli and Salmonella from chickens (62% and 33%, respectively) and pigs (88% and 81%, respectively) exhibited resistance to ≥3 classes of antimicrobials. Of important public health concern was the detection of Salmonella resistant to cefotaxime/ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and colistin, deemed as critically important antimicrobials in human medicine. This study aimed to evaluate a national sampling strategy at slaughterhouses and wet markets, and to pilot the laboratory methodologies for bacterial recovery and AMR testing. Experiences from this study will inform capacity development for a national AMR surveillance program, and these early data could serve as reference points for monitoring the impact of the Lao PDR’s national action plan to contain AMR.
Highlights
Large quantities of a variety of classes of antimicrobials are used in the livestock industry in Southeast Asia [1,2]
There was significantly (p < 0.001) more E. coli isolated from chickens (90%, 2236/2479) than from pigs (79%, 914/1159), while the Salmonella isolation rate was significantly higher in pigs (61%, 711/1159) compared to chickens (56%, 1387/2479) (p = 0.002)
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence that food animals slaughtered and sold for human consumption in the Lao PDR are frequently contaminated with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria
Summary
Large quantities of a variety of classes of antimicrobials are used in the livestock industry in Southeast Asia [1,2]. Unregulated and irresponsible use of antimicrobials in the animal production sector can result in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria [3,4]. Studies in border provinces in the Lao PDR reported colistin resistance in E. coli from pigs [13] and E. coli from humans and pigs [7]. As all of these countries extensively trade animals, animal products, and antimicrobials, AMR surveillance in food animals and their products in districts/provinces of the Lao PDR contiguous to these bordering countries, and where these products are distributed, are primary considerations for designing a national AMR surveillance program
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