A Meta-Analysis to Estimate Prevalence of Resistance to Tetracyclines and Third Generation Cephalosporins in Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Food Crops

Abstract

Application of human and animal waste to fields and water sources and on-farm antimicrobial usage are documented contributors to the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agricultural domains. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of resistance to tetracycline (TET) and third generation cephalosporins (3GC) in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from food crops. TET was selected in view of its wide use in agriculture, whereas 3GC were selected because of the public health concerns of reported resistance to these critically important antibiotics in the environment. Forty-two studies from all six world regions published between 2010 and 2022 met the eligibility criteria. A random effects model estimated that 4.63% (95% CI: 2.57%, 7.18%; p-value: <0.0001) and 3.75% (95%CI: 2.13%, 5.74%; p-value: <0.0001) of surveyed food crops harboured Enterobacteriaceae resistant to TET and 3GC, respectively. No significant differences were observed between pre- and post-harvest stages of the value chain. 3GC resistance prevalence estimates in food crops were highest for the African region (6.59%; 95% CI: 2.41%, 12.40%; p-value: <0.0001) and lowest for Europe (1.84%; 95% CI: 0.00%, 6.02%; p-value: <0.0001). Considering the rare use of 3GC in agriculture, these results support its inclusion for AMR surveillance in food crops. Integrating food crops into One Health AMR surveillance using harmonized sampling methods could confirm trends highlighted here.

Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens Recovered from Food and Human Sources: Insights from 639,087 Bacterial Whole-Genome Sequences in the NCBI Pathogen Detection Database

“…In food crops, the use of fertilizers from animal or human sources has been associated with an increase in AMR organisms [80]. A recent meta-analysis indicated that between 3.75 and 4.63% of food crops harboured Enterobacteriaceae resistant to tetracycline or 3GCs, with prevalences varying by country [80]. The correlation between the antimicrobial resistance of specific classes and certain isolation sources is corroborated by other studies for some genera.…”

“…The use of antimicrobials in agri-food production has been shown to lead to the co-selection of critically important AMR [77], and subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobials can increase the dissemination of MGEs harbouring ARGs [78,79]. In food crops, the use of fertilizers from animal or human sources has been associated with an increase in AMR organisms [80]. A recent meta-analysis indicated that between 3.75 and 4.63% of food crops harboured Enterobacteriaceae resistant to tetracycline or 3GCs, with prevalences varying by country [80].…”