Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is of concern to global health security worldwide. We aimed to identify the prevalence, resistance patterns, and risk factors associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistance from poultry farms in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. Between 8 February 2019 and 23 February 2020, a total of 371 samples (cloacal swabs = 259; faecal = 84; Sewage = 14, Tap water = 14) were collected. Characteristics of the sampled farms including management type, biosecurity, and history of disease were obtained using semi-structured questionnaire. Presumptive E. coli isolates were identified based on colony morphology with subsequent biochemical and PCR confirmation. Susceptibility of isolates was tested against a panel of 12 antimicrobials and interpreted alongside risk factor data obtained from the surveys. We isolated 717 E. coli samples from poultry and environmental samples. Our findings revealed that cloacal (17.8%, 46/259), faecal (22.6%, 19/84), sewage (14.3%, 2/14) and tap water (7.1%, 1/14) were significantly (p < 0.003) resistant to at least three classes of antimicrobials. Resistance to tetracycline class were predominantly observed in faecal samples (69%, 58/84), followed by cloacal (64.1%, 166/259), sewage (35.7%, 5/14), and tap water (7.1%, 1/84), respectively. Sewage water (OR = 7.22, 95% CI = 0.95–151.21) had significant association with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) acquisition. Multivariate regression analysis identified that the risk factors including sewage samples (OR = 7.43, 95% CI = 0.96–156.87) and farm size are leading drivers of E. coli antimicrobial resistance in the participating states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. We observed that the resistance patterns of E. coli isolates against 12 panel antimicrobials are generally similar in all selected states of east coast peninsular Malaysia. The highest prevalence of resistance was recorded in tetracycline (91.2%), oxytetracycline (89.1%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (73.1%), doxycycline (63%), and sulfamethoxazole (63%). A close association between different risk factors and the high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli strains reflects increased exposure to resistant bacteria and suggests a concern over rising misuse of veterinary antimicrobials that may contribute to the future threat of emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogen isolates. Public health interventions to limit antimicrobial resistance need to be tailored to local poultry farm practices that affect bacterial transmission.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of concern to global health security [1]
AMR across smallholders and poultry operations in Malaysia, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with the carriage of resistant E. coli isolates to help inform antimicrobial stewardship policy in poultry farms in Malaysia
A total of 717 E. coli samples were isolated from poultry and environmental samples, as follows: (72%, 519/717)
Summary
The production of poultry for food relies on the use of antimicrobials to ensure animal health and growth promotion under intensive farming conditions [3]. Most of these antimicrobial compounds used in poultry operations are accumulated and biomagnified through the food chain. Factors influencing bacterial resistance on farms are substantial, including flock health status, farm management practices, and the environment [9] Practices such as rampant use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered in low doses for growth promotion [10,11,12,13] and use of non-approved drugs or drugs used in off-label scenarios are driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary settings [14]. The tangled interplay of antimicrobial use and microbial transmission between people, animals, and the environment complicates efforts to reduce the development of AMR
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