Escherichia coli from Nigeria exhibit a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance where reliance on antibiotics in poultry production is a potential contributing factor

Abstract

To assess the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Nigeria, single Escherichia coli isolates were collected from a geographically diverse panel of fecal samples collected from human clinical and nonclinical donors (n=77), livestock (cattle, swine, and goats) and chickens (n=71 total). There was no difference in the proportion of isolates resistant to ≥1 antibiotics from human clinical and non-clinical samples, but overall, this was significantly higher for human (85.7%) compared to animal (53.5%) isolates (P<0.0001). The average number of resistance phenotypes per isolate was significantly higher for human (5.0), goat (4.0), and poultry (3.4) compared with cattle (2.4) and swine (2.0) (P<0.05). There were 25 different resistance phenotypes with more diversity from animal compared with human isolates. A survey of management practices at 30 poultry farms in the vicinity of Ibadan found that all respondents self-milled feed and most (87.7%) routinely added antibiotics to feed. Tetracyclines were the dominant antibiotics of choice followed by tylosin and gentamicin and some use of chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin. If this pattern of antibiotic resistance and use is repeated across the different sectors of food-animal production and in multiple developing countries, then trade and travel are likely to disseminate resistance traits to other countries potentially negating local policies that are designed to limit selection for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic Use in Poultry Production in Grenada

“…Similar findings of low knowledge of antibiotic stewardship have been reported in countries such as in Nigeria [12, 13]. In Nigeria, it was found that the majority of farmers were not aware of nor follow mandatory withdrawal period after administering antibiotics [14], farmers were reportedly unaware of risks from the presence of antibiotic residue in poultry products, and farmers were unaware that misuse of antibiotics is a serious risk to human health. Farmers also agreed that antibiotics were no longer necessary once clinical symptoms subsided [15] and failed to complete the recommended treatment duration [16].…”

“…Farmers also agreed that antibiotics were no longer necessary once clinical symptoms subsided [15] and failed to complete the recommended treatment duration [16]. The majority of farmers did not seek veterinary advice for disease diagnosis or an antibiotic prescription but, instead, relied on personal experience, advice from other farmers, or folklore [14]. On the other hand, in most high-income countries, national monitoring programs have been established to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria [17, 18].…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of observing withdrawal period of veterinary drugs in chicken and eggs by poultry farmers in Zaria

“…Only 42.9% indicated they checked the withdrawal period before use. Similarly in Nigeria, Nsofor et al (2013) elucidated that majority of farmers were neither unaware nor follow the mandatory withdrawal period after administering antibiotics, and that they were reportedly unaware of risks associated with the presence of antibiotic residue in poultry products. Out of this 42.9%, 67.5% of the farmers indicated 14 days as the approximate duration of disposal (withdrawal period) of chicken/eggs after use of any drugs in poultry production.…”

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and antibiotics resistant E. coli on poultry carcasses and handlers’ hands at Ikpa slaughter, Nsukka, Nigeria

“…Moreover, cephalosporins which has been classified among the critically important antibiotics in humans, also used in poultry, was the most prescribed class (WHO, 2017;Olayinka et al, 2020). This could lead to high selection pressure on the entero-bacteria like E. coli which has a broad range of both pathogenic and commensal strains that can harbor antibiotic resistance traits of public health interest (Van den Bogaard et al, 2001;Nsofor et al, 2013). In Saudi Arabia, high antibiotics resistance rates of 78.4%, 70.3%, 48.6% against Ampicillin, Nalidixic acid and streptomycin respectively have been reported among E. coli species from poultry (Altalhi et al, 2010) and among poultry farmers and processors (Van den Bogaard et al, 2001).…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, high antibiotics resistance rates of 78.4%, 70.3%, 48.6% against Ampicillin, Nalidixic acid and streptomycin respectively have been reported among E. coli species from poultry (Altalhi et al, 2010) and among poultry farmers and processors (Van den Bogaard et al, 2001). Nsofor et al (2013) had also reported high prevalence of antibiotic resistant E. coli in both humans (85.7%) and animals (53.5%) which were related to over dependence on antibiotics in poultry production. Moreover, there are potentials for cross-contamination between raw meats and individuals or surfaces in the kitchen environment and the subsequent risk of contamination in ready-to-eat foods as well as transfer of resistant genes to humans through contacts and dietary exposure (Humphrey et al, 2001;Luangtongkum et al, 2009).…”