Abstract
BackgroundFarm disinfectants are widely used in primary production, but questions have been raised if their use can select for antimicrobial resistance. The present study examined the use of disinfectants in poultry and pig husbandry and its contribution to the antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains obtained after cleaning and disinfection. On those field isolates antibiotic susceptibility was monitored and susceptibility to commonly used active components of farm disinfectants (i.e. glutaraldehyde, benzalkoniumchloride, formaldehyde, and a formulation of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) was tested.ResultsThis study showed a high resistance prevalence (> 50%) for ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and tetracycline for both production animal categories, while for ciprofloxacin only a high resistance prevalence was found in broiler houses. Disinfectant susceptibility results were homogenously distributed within a very small concentration range. Furthermore, all E. coli strains were susceptible to in-use concentrations of formaldehyde, benzalkoniumchloride and a formulation of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, indicating that the practical use of disinfectants did not select for disinfectant resistance. Moreover, the results showed no indications for the selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria through the use of disinfectants in agricultural environments.ConclusionOur study suggests that the proper use of disinfectants in agricultural environments does not promote antibiotic resistance nor reduce E. coli disinfectant susceptibility.
Highlights
Farm disinfectants are widely used in primary production, but questions have been raised if their use can select for antimicrobial resistance
There are only few studies on the susceptibility of bacteria isolated from livestock environments after cleaning and disinfection and most studies on disinfectant susceptibility examined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) but did not evaluate the lethal effects of the disinfectants by determining the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)
Significant negative associations were found between the use of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide containing disinfectants and ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline resistance in broiler production. These results suggest that the use of disinfectants containing this combination of active components would select for more susceptible E. coli bacteria
Summary
Farm disinfectants are widely used in primary production, but questions have been raised if their use can select for antimicrobial resistance. The present study examined the use of disinfectants in poultry and pig husbandry and its contribution to the antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains obtained after cleaning and disinfection. Biocides used for veterinary hygiene purposes are applied to disinfect materials and surfaces associated with the housing or transportation of animals They play a crucial role in preventing and controlling the transmission of infections within and between herds, which is an important aspect of on-farm biosecurity. In practice, disinfectants can be found at lower concentrations due to underdosing, or due to residual organic debris as a result of insufficient cleaning, or due to dilution by remaining rinsing water Under such conditions, bacteria are exposed to subinhibitory. There are only few studies on the susceptibility of bacteria isolated from livestock environments after cleaning and disinfection and most studies on disinfectant susceptibility examined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) but did not evaluate the lethal effects of the disinfectants by determining the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)
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