Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance among Escherichia coli and Salmonella in Ontario smallholder chicken flocks

Abstract

SummarySurveillance is an important component of an overall strategy to address antimicrobial resistant bacteria in food animals and the food chain. The poultry market has many points of entry into the Canadian food chain, and some production practices are un- (1,022/1,025), and 47% (483/1,022) of positive E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more of the 14 antimicrobials. Furthermore, as compared to results reported for the CIPARS commercial flocks, E. coli isolates from smallholder flocks had significantly lower resistance prevalence to six of 14 individual antimicrobials. Recovery of E. coli did not differ between federally inspected and provincially inspected flocks. Salmonella prevalence at the bird level in smallholder flocks was 0.3% (3/1,025), significantly lower (p ≪ 0.0001, 95% CI 0.080%-0.86%) than federally inspected commercial flocks. The overall differences found between the commercial and smallholder flocks may be explained by differences in poultry husbandry practices and hatchery sources.

Occurrence and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in Retail Chicken Meat at Selected Markets in Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines

“…in chicken meat and/or in any poultry products is relatively low compared to that of E. coli. [11,13,15] In this study, 18% (9 of 50 samples) prevalence of Salmonella spp. in chicken meat was recorded.…”

“…in chicken meat was recorded. The study of Lebert et al [15] recorded 0.3% Salmonella prevalence at the bird level in smallholder flocks. Moawad et al [11] also reported 8.3% prevalence of Salmonella spp.…”

“…Recently, the high prevalence of E. coli in poultry products had been reported from studies across the globe. [11,[15][16][17][18] For instance, the prevalence of E. coli in smallholder chicken flocks in Ontario, Canada was 99% and 47% of the isolates were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. [15] The high prevalence of E. coli in chicken carcasses is considered an indicator of poor meat handling and unsanitary abattoir.…”

“…[11,[15][16][17][18] For instance, the prevalence of E. coli in smallholder chicken flocks in Ontario, Canada was 99% and 47% of the isolates were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. [15] The high prevalence of E. coli in chicken carcasses is considered an indicator of poor meat handling and unsanitary abattoir. Since the intestines and the environment of chicken served as reservoirs for extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains, [18] these ExPEC strains are easily contracted to chicken carcasses during butchery and meat handling, especially if sanitary and food quality measures are lenient.…”

“…to amoxicillin and ampicillin were also recorded in Ontario, Canada. [15] Salmonella spp. isolates from chicken eggs in Dhaka City, Bangladesh also showed the highest percentage of resistance to amoxicillin and ampicillin.…”