Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
This trial was designed to evaluate the off-label use of ceftiofur with Marek’s vaccine in one-day-old broiler chicks, a prophylactic treatment that has been done in some commercial hatcheries, on the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli). A total of 168 chicks (Cobb500®) were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were assigned to two treatments (Marek’s vaccine plus saline vs Marek’s vaccine plus ceftiofur) and six repetitions, with 14 animals each. Cloacal swabs were collected from 1 to 14 days post-hatch. The majority (86%; p<0.0001) of the ESBL-producing isolates harboring blaCTX-M and blaSHV genes originated from animals receiving the antimicrobial. None of the isolates were positive for plasmid-mediated AmpC betalactamase genes (blaACC, blaCMY-2, blaDHA, blaFOX, blaMOX and blaMIR). These findings indicate that the off-label use of ceftiofur with Marek’s vaccine is associated with the short-term increase in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in the gut of chicks.
Highlights
The non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial drugs in farm animals is a common practice for disease control and prevention, or to enhance performance
Third-generation cephalosporins are among the highest priority critically important antimicrobials to human health [3] and their indiscriminate use is of great concern to public health
Five (8.8%) ceftiofur-resistant E. coli were cultured from control group (CG) birds; all from the last sampling day (14 days)
Summary
The non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial drugs in farm animals is a common practice for disease control and prevention, or to enhance performance. Previous reports demonstrated the link between the off-label antibiotic use of antimicrobials in animals and the increase in antimicrobial resistance [1,2]. Third-generation cephalosporins are among the highest priority critically important antimicrobials to human health [3] and their indiscriminate use is of great concern to public health. Ceftiofur is commonly administered to day-one chicks together with Marek’s vaccine in certain commercial hatcheries to prevent disease in broilers [4]. Use of ceftiofur in poultry production has been responsible for the increase of resistant E. coli and Salmonella Heidelberg.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
