Differences in Antibiotic Resistance inEscherichia coli,Isolated from East‐European Swine Herds With or Without Prophylactic Use of Antibiotics

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from pig herds with or without prophylactic use of anti-microbial substances. The presented pig units received either antibiotics or oregano as preventive feed additives. The trial was performed from April to October 2001, in the large 'country-corner', Hungary-Rumania-Serbia. Thirty of 39 evaluated herds suffered E. coli O139 K88 ac or ad LT STb caused losses, the remaining were negative for E. coli O139. Thirteen of the selected 30 herds produced with oregano feed supplementation (Oregpig Pecs, Hungary) antibiotic-free pigs. These units had no history of prophylactic antibiotic use since 1995. The remaining 17 herds routinely used prophylactic antibiotic feed supplementation. In each herd, pigs of four different age groups (suckling piglets, weaners. fattening swine and breeding sows), showing the clinical symptoms of wasting, were investigated. E. coli O139 K88 ac or ad LT STb were tested for their resistance to antibiotics, available in this region. Oregano-fed herds demonstrated high significantly (P < 0.001) lower MICs (microg/ml) for ampicillin, doxycyclin, enrofloxacin, gentamycin, oxytetracyclin and sulfamethacin compared to herds with prophylactic use of antibiotics. Resistance to ceftiofur revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences between the antibiotic- or oregano-treated units. The present results confirm literature data, that prophylactic use of antibiotics likely plays a role in inducing resistance of E. coli and other intestinal bacteria. Thus, imposing greater restrictions on antibiotic use in animal agriculture is likely to reduce but not eliminate the occurrence of resistant isolates.

Genotypes, Antibiogram, and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Profiles of Escherichia Coli Strains from Piglets in Korea

“…Therefore, determining antibiotic patterns would be useful in understanding and controlling ETEC infection in swine. 7,11 There are some reports in which virulence profiling and antibiogram of E. coli isolates from pigs were studied, 4,11,12,14,15,25 but only in a few cases have comparative results of both been shown. In the current study, genetic relationships between E. coli strains isolated from piggeries were determined by examining both virulence profiling and antibiotic resistance patterns.…”

Feed Fermentation with Reuteran- and Levan-Producing Lactobacillus reuteri Reduces Colonization of Weanling Pigs by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

“…Diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major disease of weaning piglets (4). ETEC establishes infection by specific fimbria mediating intestinal attachment and colonization (4)(5)(6)(7). Following colonization, ETEC produces enterotoxins that induce watery diarrhea (8,9).…”

“…Control of ETEC infections of weanling piglets is currently achieved by antibiotics (10). The use of antibiotics in animal production, however, selects for antibiotic-resistant intestinal microbiota and favors the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from livestock microbiota to human pathogens (7). Consequently, antimicrobial growth promoters have been banned in several jurisdictions (11), challenging the livestock industry to replace feed antibiotics without compromising animal performance or animal health.…”

Exopolysaccharides Synthesized by Lactobacillus reuteri Protect against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Piglets

“…Antimicrobial growth promoters or therapeutic antibiotics are widely used to prevent or treat diarrhea of farm animals (12). The use of antibiotics, however, supports the development of antibiotic resistance (12).…”