Campylobacteriosis and Campylobacter spp. resistance to antibiotics represents a serious worldwide public health problem thermophilic Campylobacters, in particular, are major causes of gastroenteritis in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chicken droppings, of commercial poultry in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. Between February and September 2017, 140 samples of chicken droppings were collected and analyzed by classical bacteriology methods for isolation and identification according to Moroccan Standard NM ISO/TS 10272-3 (2013), followed by molecular identification (PCR: polymerase chain reaction). Among the 140 samples, 102 (73%) were positive by Campylobacter spp. tests and 38 (27.14 %) were negative to Campylobacter spp. Among the positive colonies, 41 (40, 2%) were C. jejuni. Of the 41 C. jejuni isolates, resistance was detected to tetracycline (100%), erythromycin (97%), ampicillin (85%), ciprofloxacin (77%), amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid (61.4%), and gentamicin (12.0%). In conclusion, the data obtained in the current study demonstrate that the majority of C. jejuni isolates evaluated were resistant to antimicrobials of the cycline, macrolide, and fluoroquinolone families, and all of the isolates were susceptible to gentamicin. Fluoroquinolone is the drug of choice for treating Campylobacter infections. These results underline the need for prudent use of antibiotics in poultry production to minimize the spread of antibioticresistant Campylobacter spp.

Background and Aim: Campylobacteriosis is a common foodborne disease epidemiologically linked to the consumption of poultry products. However, other sources, such as raw or contaminated milk, contaminated water or ice, contact with infected livestock, and pets, are reported. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and resistance to microbial resistance of Campylobacter coliM in broiler farms in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between May and December 2017 and involved 35 broiler farms. One hundred and five cloacal swabs were collected from the eight provinces in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco. Bacteriology method NM ISO/TS 10272-3: 2013 was used to isolate and identify Campylobacter spp. Molecular identification (polymerase chain reaction) was used for confirmation. A disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar was used for susceptibility testing. Five antibiotic agents, including first-line drugs, were evaluated. Results: Among 105 samples, 71.4% (75/105) were positive for Campylobacter spp. test and 56% (42/75) of isolates belonged to the species coli. Susceptibility profiles showed that 95.2% of C. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin, 92.8% to erythromycin and tetracycline, 85.7% to ciprofloxacin, and 7.1% to gentamicin. Conclusion: This study underlines the need to strengthen implementation of specific control procedures to decrease contamination of poultry meat with Campylobacter spp. and to reduce the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector.

Poultry products are one of the main foodstuffs consumed in Morocco. The deterioration of their hygienic quality and the emergence of antibiotic resistance are the major public health problems. This study was carried out to determine the level of emergence of antibiotic resistance. For that, between May 2021 and June 2022, poultry products (e.g., minced meat, sausage, and meat) were collected aseptically in sterile bags from retail stores in different cities of Morocco, labeled, and transported in chilled conditions to the laboratory. The bacterial analysis was performed within 24 hours. Isolation and identification of Escherichia coli were performed according to the Moroccan standard NM ISO 16649 2018. Antimicrobial susceptibility determination of 23 antibiotics was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The results showed a high level of antimicrobial resistance to amoxicillin (58%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (54%), piperacillin (63%), trimethoprim (32%), nalidixic acid (46%), and ofloxacin (43%). 58 isolates (60%) were positive for beta-lactamase class A (penicillinase) test detection, and 2 isolates (3%) produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The high level of resistance demonstrated in this study should alert health organizations in the country. An establishment of surveillance programs to control the use and the administration of antibiotics in the poultry field and initiation of reliable methods to follow up on the latest updates on the emergence of bacterial resistance is a necessity.