屠宰前鸡、猪源大肠杆菌耐药性调查

本试验旨在了解屠宰前鸡、猪源食品动物体内大肠杆菌耐药情况,分析潜在的食品安全问题。从广州市畜禽交易市场随机采集待屠宰鸡和猪的粪便样品,分离鉴定大肠杆菌,并采用琼脂稀释法检测大肠杆菌对15种抗菌药物的敏感性。结果显示,从658份猪源样品和133份鸡源样品中共分离鉴定出731株大肠杆菌,其中猪源606株,鸡源125株。药敏试验结果显示,731株大肠杆菌均表现出不同程度的耐药,耐药谱广且多重耐药现象严重。对复方新诺明和四环素的耐药率为90.0%以上,仅对头孢西丁、黏菌素和阿米卡星较敏感(耐药率均低于3%)。鸡源大肠杆菌对头孢噻肟、头孢曲松、新霉素、阿米卡星、萘啶酸和环丙沙星的耐药率显著高于猪源大肠杆菌(P＜0.05)。鸡源大肠杆菌中3耐及3耐以上的菌株占97.60%,猪源大肠杆菌占94.72%。结果表明,屠宰前畜禽体内大肠杆菌对临床常用抗菌药物的耐药性非常严重,以多重耐药为主,且耐药谱丰富多样。提示屠宰前畜禽携带的耐药菌对食品安全和人类健康存在较大的安全隐患。     

奶牛子宫内膜炎源性大肠埃希菌药敏试验与耐药基因检测

为探索奶牛子宫内膜炎源性大肠埃希菌耐药基因及其耐药性之间的关系。采用K-B纸片法对临床分离的54株奶牛子宫内膜炎源性大肠埃希菌进行12种抗菌药物敏感性测定,应用PCR进行这些抗菌药物相关耐药基因的检测。结果显示,54株大肠埃希菌对复方新诺明、恩诺沙星和四环素的耐药率较高,分别为67%、39%和35%。分离的54株大肠埃希菌中有41株至少含有所检测耐药基因中的1种,CyrA、CyrB、ParC和Tet耐药基因较为普遍,其耐药菌基因检出率依次为96%、83%、100%和95%,13株没有检测到相应的耐药基因。奶牛子宫内膜炎源性大肠埃希菌对常见抗菌药物耐药严重,耐药基因普遍存在于耐药菌株中,除氨基糖苷类耐药菌株,其他3种抗菌药物类型耐药表型与耐药基因检测结果有较高一致性。     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolates from dairy farms using organic versus conventional production methods

OBJECTIVE: To compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli isolates cultured from fecal samples from cows and calves on dairy farms that used organic (ie, no or severely limited antimicrobial use) versus conventional production methods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Fecal samples from 10 cows and 10 calves on each of 30 organic dairy farms and 30 neighboring conventional dairy farms in Wisconsin. PROCEDURE: E. coli isolates obtained from the fecal samples were tested for susceptibility to 17 antimicrobials by means of a microbroth dilution test. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was compared between organic and conventional dairy farms. RESULTS: E. coli was isolated from 1,121 (94%) fecal samples. Farm type (organic vs conventional) and animal age (cow vs calf) were significantly associated with odds that E. coli isolates would be resistant to various antimicrobials. After controlling for age, logistic regression analyses indicated that isolates from conventional dairy farms had significantly higher rates of resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole than did isolates from organic dairy farms. However, no significant differences were detected for the 10 other antimicrobials that were tested. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that compared with isolates from conventional dairy farms, E. coli isolates from organic dairy herds have significantly lower prevalences of resistance to 7 antimicrobials; however, prevalence of resistance was not significantly different for 10 other antimicrobials. Resistance was more common for isolates from calves than for isolates from adult dairy cows.     

Longitudinal study of Clostridium difficile and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli in healthy horses in a community setting

Point prevalence studies have reported carriage rates of enteric pathogens in healthy horses, but longitudinal data are lacking. Commensal E. coli is an indicator organism to evaluate antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria, yet there are limited data for horses. The objectives of this study were to investigate and molecularly characterize isolates of Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella, collected sequentially over a one year period, and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile for E. coli. Fecal samples were collected monthly from 25 adult horses for one year. Selective cultures were performed for all above bacteria. C. difficile isolates were characterized via PCR toxin gene profiling and ribotyping. Broth microdilution was performed to assess antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli. Toxigenic Clostridium difficile was isolated from 15/275 (5.45%) samples from 10/25 (40%) horses. Four horses were positive at multiple sampling times but different ribotypes were found in three. Ribotypes included 078 (n=6), 001 (n=6) and C (n=3). C. perfringens was not isolated, nor was Salmonella. E. coli was isolated from 232/300 (77%) fecal samples. Resistance to ≥1 and ≥ 3 antimicrobials was present in 31/232 (13.4%) and 6/232 (2.6%) respectively. Only two horses shed the same strain of toxigenic C. difficile for more than one month, indicating that shedding is transient. The high number of ribotype 078 is consistent with recent emergence of this strain in the local horse population. The low prevalence of antibiotic resistance in commensal E. coli suggests that healthy horses are not likely a major reservoir of resistance for enteric bacteria.     

In vitro susceptibility of avian Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida to danofloxacin and five other antimicrobials.

The in vitro susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida isolated from poultry was determined to danofloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone, and five other commonly used antimicrobials. A total of 1737 E. coli field isolates and 107 P. multocida isolates were tested by veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Europe, Japan, South Africa, and North America during the period 1989-91. The antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates was determined using the Sensititre broth microdilution technique. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of danofloxacin, furaltadone, lincomycin, oxytetracycline, spectinomycin, and trimethoprim:sulfamethoxazole that prevented growth of 90% of the bacteria were 0.25 > 64, > 64, > 64, > 128, and > 16 micrograms/ml, respectively, against E. coli isolates and 0.25, 64, 64, 16, 128, and 8 micrograms/ml, respectively, against P. multocida isolates. Danofloxacin demonstrated considerable in vitro potency against these important poultry pathogens, many of which showed extensive resistance to the other antimicrobials tested.     

Identification, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and virulence of members from the family Enterobacteriaceae from the feces of yellow-headed blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in North Dakota

Public pressure to reduce or eliminate antimicrobials as ingredients of feed for poultry and other agricultural animals is mounting, primarily due to the fear of multidrug-resistant bacteria in clinical infections in both animals and humans. Exploration of the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the gut flora of wildlife avian flocks that presumptively do not receive antimicrobials will determine the rate of resistance in a na?ve population. Fecal samples collected from a healthy population of the yellow-headed blackbirds (YHB) (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) in North Dakota were cultured to determine what genera and species of gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacteria these wild birds carry in their intestinal flora and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Isolates of Escherichia coli were further characterized for the presence of putative virulence factors and for pathogenic potential using the chicken embryo lethality assay (ELA). The ELA was performed in chicken embryos with challenges at both 12 days and 16 days of incubation to determine whether the 16-day-old embryos were better able to fight the infection and subsequent disease and also to determine whether the ELA could distinguish between primary and secondary avian Escherichia coli pathogens. After screening 33 isolates from the 21 fecal samples, only two E. coli isolates were identified. The predominant genus and species of bacterium identified was Pantoea agglomerans. Collectively, 12 of the 33 isolates (36%) exhibited no resistance to any antimicrobial tested. However, several multidrug-resistant isolates of varying genera were identified. Among the antimicrobial resistances observed, the most common was to ampicillin (60%), followed by cephalothin (33%). Neither E. coli isolate belonged to serogroups that are notorious for causing major outbreaks of colibacillosis in poultry, and only one E. coli isolate retained resistance to any antibiotics; nevertheless, the ELA results indicate that at least one of these E. coli may be a primary pathogen of chickens. This study demonstrates that antibiotic resistance occurs in the gut flora of natural populations of YHB despite the absence of antibiotic pressure. In addition, these results indicate that YHB will harbor E. coli isolates that are potentially pathogenic in poultry. However, these E. coli isolates are not a significant reservoir for multiple antibiotic resistances nor are they widespread in the population of YHB surveyed in North Dakota.     

Prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance of fecal Escherichia coli among pigs on 47 farrow-to-finish farms with different in-feed medication policies in Ontario and British Columbia

The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in pigs on farms that medicated swine ration and those that did not. A total of 940 isolates of Escherichia coli from 188 pooled fecal samples obtained from weaner and finisher pigs on 47 farrow-to-finish swine farms (34 farms used in-feed medication and 13 did not) were tested for susceptibility to 21 antimicrobials using a breakpoint concentration method. The prevalence of resistance varied widely (0.0% to 81.3%) among the antimicrobials tested. Ninety percent of all the isolates tested were resistant to one or more antimicrobials. The most common multi-drug resistance patterns were to 2 to 6 antimicrobials. Resistance was significantly more frequent (P < 0.01) on farms that used in-feed medication compared to those that did not, and significantly more frequent (P < 0.01) in weaner pigs compared to finisher pigs. These findings indicate that resistance to a broad range of antimicrobials was prevalent among fecal E. coli isolates of pigs on study farms, and that this constitutes a potential reservoir for resistance genes that could spread to pathogens. The findings also provide further evidence that use of medication in swine rations provides selective pressure for antimicrobial resistance in E. coli in pigs.     

Quantitative resistance level (MIC) of Escherichia coli isolated from calves and pigs suffering from enteritis: national resistance monitoring by the BVL

National Resistance Monitoring of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), which was put into service in 2001, has made it possible to implement a valid and representative database on the basis of which the resistance situation, development and spread in animal pathogens can be evaluated. Escherichia coil (E. coli) strains originating from calves and pigs suffering from enteritis were first included in the investigations in the 2004/2005 study. A total of 258 bovine and 492 porcine E. coli strains were tested using the broth microdilution method to determine the in vitro susceptibility (minimum inhibitory concentration) to 23 (fattening pigs) and 28 (calves, piglets, weaners) different antimicrobial substances. Considerable prevalences of resistance were found for some antimicrobials. The strains originating from both animal species displayed high prevalences of resistance for tetracycline, trimethoprim, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline and ampicillin. Reduced susceptibility was detected particularly in the E. coli strains from calves. The data reveal that the resistance level of E. coli strains isolated from cases of enteric disease in calves and pigs is altogether higher than has so far been reported in pathogens causing different diseases and in other food-producing animal species. Based on the results presented, it is possible to assess the current resistance situation for E. coli strains in calves and pigs in Germany. This in turn helps to deduce the necessary management measures that can be taken in order to minimise resistance to antibiotics. Furthermore, the data help to decide on adequate therapy of E. coli infections of the intestinal tract in calves and pigs and encourage the responsible use of antibiotics in the interests of animal health and consumer protection.     

广东地区猪源大肠杆菌耐药性及其系统发育群的研究简

为分析广东地区猪源大肠杆菌耐药性及其系统进化背景,试验于2011年从患病猪分离出264株大肠杆菌,包括粪便源131株和肝源133株,采用琼脂稀释法测定18种抗菌药物的敏感性,多重PCR法确定系统进化关系,并对不同来源菌株的耐药性和系统进化背景进行分析比较。结果发现,大肠杆菌多重耐药现象严重,共存在128种耐药谱型。分离菌株对氨苄西林、复方新诺明、萘啶酸和四环素高度耐药,对黏菌素、头孢他啶和阿米卡星较敏感。种群进化分析结果表明,分离菌株主要分布在共生型的A组和B1组（91.66%）,且不同来源菌株的种群进化分布差异不显著(P＞0.05)。结合药敏试验结果发现,不同进化组别的分离菌株对特定抗菌药物的耐药性存在显著差异（P＜0.05）。通过对大肠杆菌耐药性及其系统发育群进行综合分析,为兽医临床用药提供依据。     

Pathogenic and fecal Escherichia coil strains from turkeys in a commercial operation

The biochemical phenotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 105 clinical Escherichia coli isolates from flocks with colibacillosis in a turkey operation were compared with 1104 fecal E. coli isolates from 20 flocks in that operation. Clinical isolates and 194 fecal isolates with biochemical phenotypes or minimum inhibitory concentrations for gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole similar to clinical isolates were tested for somatic antigens and the potential virulence genes hylE, iss, tsh, and K1. The predominant biochemical phenotype of clinical isolates contained 21 isolates including 14 isolates belonging to serogroup 078 with barely detectable beta-D-glucuronidase activity. Thirty-five fecal isolates had biochemical phenotypes matching common phenotypes of clinical isolates. Sixty-six (63%) clinical isolates exhibited intermediate susceptibility or resistance to gentamicin and sulfamethoxazole compared with 265 (24%) fecal isolates (P < 0.001). Seventy-seven clinical isolates reacted with O-antisera, of which 51 (66%) belonged to the following serogroups: O1, O2, O8, O25, O78, O114, and O119. In comparison, 8 of 35 (23%) fecal isolates subtyped on the basis of biochemical phenotype belonged to these serogroups and four of 167 (2%) fecal isolates subtyped on the basis of their antimicrobial resistance patterns belonged to these serogroups. Iss, K1, and tsh genes were detected more often among clinical isolates than these fecal isolates (P < 0.05). In summary, a small subgroup of E. coli strains caused most colibacillosis infections in this operation. These strains existed at low concentration in normal fecal flora of healthy turkeys in intensively raised flocks. The data suggest that colibacillosis in turkey operations may be due to endogenous infections caused by specialized pathogens.     

Effects of feeding wet corn distillers grains with solubles with or without monensin and tylosin on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of fecal foodborne pathogenic and commensal bacteria in feedlot cattle

Distillers grains, a coproduct of ethanol production from cereal grains, are composed principally of the bran, protein, and germ fractions and are commonly supplemented in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of feeding wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and monensin and tylosin on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of fecal foodborne and commensal bacteria in feedlot cattle. Cattle were fed 0 or 25% WDGS in steam-flaked corn-based diets with the addition of no antimicrobials, monensin, or monensin and tylosin. Fecal samples were collected from each animal (n = 370) on d 122 and 136 of the 150-d finishing period and cultured for Escherichia coli O157. Fecal samples were also pooled by pen (n = 54) and cultured for E. coli O157, Salmonella, commensal E. coli, and Enterococcus species. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by determining antimicrobial susceptibilities of pen bacterial isolates and quantifying antimicrobial resistance genes in fecal samples by real-time PCR. Individual animal prevalence of E. coli O157 in feces collected from cattle fed WDGS was greater (P < 0.001) compared with cattle not fed WDGS on d 122 but not on d 136. There were no treatment effects on the prevalence of E. coli O157 or Salmonella spp. in pooled fecal samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility results showed Enterococcus isolates from cattle fed monensin or monensin and tylosin had greater levels of resistance toward macrolides (P = 0.01). There was no effect of diet or antimicrobials on concentrations of 2 antimicrobial resistance genes, ermB or tetM, in fecal samples. Results from this study indicate that WDGS may have an effect on the prevalence of E. coli O157 and the concentration of selected antimicrobial resistance genes, but does not appear to affect antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Enterococcus and generic E. coli isolates.     

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance in generic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. cultured from identical fecal samples in finishing swine

The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between antimicrobial resistance patterns in generic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolates recovered from identical pen pooled fecal samples, and to evaluate potential clustering of multiple isolates of these organisms within identical fecal samples. Up to 5 generic E. coli (n = 922 isolates) and Salmonella spp. (n = 922 isolates) isolates were obtained from each of 188 pen pooled fecal samples that had been collected from 45 finishing swine farms in Alberta in 2000, and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. No isolates of either organism were resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins or fluoroquinolones, which in Canada are considered antimicrobials of very high importance to human health. Approximately twice as many generic E. coli isolates as Salmonella spp. isolates were resistant to at least 1 antimicrobial. In addition, E. coli isolates showed more multidrug-resistance patterns. No significant association was observed between the resistance phenotypes of Salmonella spp. and E. coli at the fecal sample level. More clustering at the sample level was observed for proportions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella spp. isolates than E. coli indicating that in future studies it might be sufficient to test fewer than 5 Salmonella spp. isolates per sample.     

犊牛腹泻大肠杆菌的分离鉴定和耐药性检测

为了分析南京地区奶牛场犊牛腹泻的原因,对犊牛腹泻病料进行细菌分离培养,获得了27株细菌。本试验对这些细菌进行了培养特性、染色特性、生化特性、血清型鉴定、药敏试验和TEM、SHV、CTX-M-1、CTX-M-9型超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）基因的检测。结果显示27株细菌均为大肠杆菌,只有1株细菌对头孢噻吩、头孢唑啉和头孢呋辛耐药,且此菌株检测出CTX-M-1型超广谱β-内酰胺酶基因。试验结果表明犊牛腹泻是由大肠杆菌引起的,犊牛腹泻大肠杆菌能产生CTX-M-1型超广谱β-内酰胺酶,导致对头孢类抗生素耐药性的发生。     

Short-term repeatability of measurements of antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from feces of feedlot cattle.

Short-term stability of measurements of antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from feces of feedlot cattle is important in developing monitoring and surveillance programs. Frequent evaluations (i.e., daily) are resource intensive and in some situations may be impractical for long-term sampling protocols. Consequently, a point-in-time measurement will need to be used to represent conditions in the perisampling period. In this study, 30 fecal samples were collected from each of 6 cattle pens on a commercial cattle feedlot on 2 occasions separated by 48 hours. Escherichia coli was isolated from single and pooled samples. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility against a panel of 17 antimicrobials. Resistance to 5 antimicrobials (ampicillin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline) was detected in single and pooled samples from both sampling periods (days 1 and 3). The prevalence of isolates resistant to these 5 antimicrobials was 2% or higher in all treatment combinations except for pools obtained from day 3 samples. Lower levels of resistance to 6 more antimicrobials were detected inconsistently across the single and pooled samples. Logistic models constructed for the antimicrobials to which the E. coli isolates were most commonly resistant demonstrated that there were no significant differences between periods (P > 0.10) and between single and pooled samples (P > 0.20). The distribution of the number of antimicrobials to which isolates were resistant was consistent for the single samples across periods, but there appeared to be a lower prevalence of any resistance in day 1 pooled samples. A larger number of resistant phenotypes were detected in the single samples than in the pooled samples, and resistant phenotypes with prevalence of less than 2% were detected inconsistently across periods and single and pooled samples. Resistance to individual antimicrobials was consistent by all measures when the prevalence was at least 2%. Inconsistent results were obtained for antimicrobials to which resistance rarely occurred. The apparent inconsistencies do not appear to be related to external factors but rather to sampling intensity. Short-term stability is a plausible assumption under sampling strategies that are designed to detect specific levels of prevalence. However, when resistance levels fall below these levels, there will likely be fluctuations in the presence or absence of rare resistant phenotypes and in their prevalence and central tendency measures.     

Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from respiratory tract of pigs in Poland between 2004 and 2008

Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from nasal swabs and lungs of pigs, to 16 commonly used antibiotics, was determined by disc diffusion test. beta-lactams showed the best activity against Streptococcus suis (S. suis) (> 99% of susceptible strains). The lowest sensitivity of S. suis was evidenced to: tylosin, tetracycline and neomycin (50%, 40% and 25%, respectively). Isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) demonstrated the highest susceptibility to cephalosporin (85% strains), gentamicin and norfloxacin (over 74%). The lowest susceptibility of E. coli was demonstrated to tiamulin and penicillin (11.3% and 1.9%, respectively). Over 80% of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. The highest resistance of App, but demonstrated by below 20% of tested isolates only, was evidenced to neomycin and LxS. Isolates of Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (A. pyogenes) were highly susceptible to the most antibiotics included in the analysis. The comparison of the in vitro susceptibility of pathogens to the chemotherapeutics used on Polish farms for the therapy of bacterial infection of pigs within the last five years and the last 10 years, showed an increasing percent of E. coli and S. suis strains resistant to commonly used antibiotics. It is also shown that Pm, Hps, App and A. pyogenes isolates were continuously susceptible to the most chemotherapeutics applied.     

Effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide on selected bacterial populations in feces of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fecal concentrations of selected genera of colonic bacteria in healthy dogs, and to investigate effects of dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on those bacterial populations. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 3 and fed an unsupplemented diet for 370 days. After 88 days, fecal samples were collected. Another fecal sample was collected from each dog 282 days later. Group A then received a diet supplemented with FOS, and group B continued to receive the unsupplemented diet. Twenty-eight to 29 days later, fecal samples were collected. Diets were switched between groups, and fecal samples were collected 31 and 87 days later. Concentrations of Bifidobacterium spp, Lactobacillus spp, Clostridium spp, Bacteroides spp, and Escherichia coli in freshly collected feces were determined. Effects of diet and time on bacterial concentrations were compared between groups. RESULTS: Bifidobacterium spp and Lactobacillus spp were inconsistently isolated from feces of dogs fed either diet. Sequence of diet significantly affected number of Bacteroides spp subsequently isolated from feces, but diet had no effect on numbers of Clostridium spp or E coli. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Some genera of bacteria (eg, Bifidobacterium) believed to be common components of colonic microflora may be only sporadically isolated from feces of healthy dogs. This deviation from expected fecal flora may have implications for the effectiveness of supplementing diets with prebiotics.     

Bacterial isolates from blood and their susceptibility patterns in critically ill foals: 543 cases (1991-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To assess microorganisms isolated from blood specimens obtained from critically ill neonatal foals and to evaluate their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 543 neonatal foals. PROCEDURE: Medical records of foals that were < 1 month old and were admitted to a referral neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed for results of bacteriologic culture of blood and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. RESULTS: At least 1 microorganism was isolated from 155 of 543 (28.5%) foals. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium. A single gram-positive organism was detected in 49 foals. Although 90% of the E coli isolates were susceptible to amikacin, some gram-negative and gram-positive organisms had resistance against multiple antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gram-negative bacteria remain the most common isolates from blood of neonatal foals; however, gram-positive organisms were also found, and with greater prevalence than reported elsewhere. Susceptibility patterns may vary, and resistance to multiple antimicrobials may develop. This is especially true for organisms such as Enterobacter spp and Enterococcus spp. Prudent empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis should include broad-spectrum antimicrobials.     

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal faecal Escherichia coli of hospitalised horses

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of hospitalisation and antimicrobial drug administration on the prevalence of resistance in commensal faecal E. coli of horses. Faecal samples were collected from ten hospitalised horses treated with antimicrobials, ten hospitalised horses not treated with antimicrobials and nine non-hospitalised horses over a consecutive five day period and susceptibility testing was performed on isolated E. coli. Results revealed that hospitalisation alone was associated with increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance in commensal E. coli of horses. Due to the risk of transfer of resistance between commensal and pathogenic bacteria, veterinarians need to be aware of possible resistance in commensal bacteria when treating hospitalised horses.     

Antimicrobial resistance in Swiss laying hens, prevalence and risk factors

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging concern to public health, and food-producing animals are known to be a potential source for transmission of resistant bacteria to humans. As legislation of the European Union requires to ban conventional cages for the housing of laying hens on the one hand, and a high food safety standard for eggs on the other hand, further investigations about the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in alternative housing types are required. In this study, we determined antimicrobial resistance in indicator bacteria from 396 cloacal swabs from 99 Swiss laying hen farms among four alternative housing types during a cross-sectional study. On each farm, four hens were sampled and exposure to potential risk factors was identified with a questionnaire. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined using broth microdilution in Escherichia coli (n=371) for 18 antimicrobials and in Enterococcus faecalis (n=138) and Enterococcus faecium (n=153) for 16 antimicrobials. All antimicrobial classes recommended by the European Food Safety Authority for E. coli and enterococci were included in the resistance profile. Sixty per cent of the E. coli isolates were susceptible to all of the considered antimicrobials and 30% were resistant to at least two antimicrobials. In E. faecalis, 33% of the strains were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials and 40% were resistant to two or more antimicrobials, whereas in E. faecium these figures were 14% and 39% respectively. Risk factor analyses were carried out for bacteria species and antimicrobials with a prevalence of resistance between 15% and 85%. In these analyses, none of the considered housing and management factors showed a consistent association with the prevalence of resistance for more than two combinations of bacteria and antimicrobial. Therefore we conclude that the impact of the considered housing and management practices on the egg producing farms on resistance in laying hens is low.     

Effects of bovine lactoferrin hydrolysate on the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli strains isolated from baby pigs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antibacterial activity of bovine lactoferrin hydrolysate (bLf-lysate) alone or in combination with other antimicrobials against antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from baby pigs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 3 clinical strains of E coli were isolated from baby pigs with severe diarrhea and designated as strains 9061, 9062, and 9065. PROCEDURE: The broth microdilution checkerboard and fractional inhibitory (or bactericidal) concentration index were used to evaluate the antibacterial effect elicited by bLf-lysate in combination with kanamycin, gentamicin, cephalothin, cefamandole, penicillin G, ampicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, or rifampicin against the 3 strains of E coli. RESULTS: The 3 strains of E coli were susceptible to gentamicin and rifampicin but highly resistant to most of the other antimicrobials tested, except for strain 9061 that was also susceptible to cephalothin but intermediately inhibited by kanamycin and cefamandole. Synergistic growth-inhibitory activity was observed between bLf-lysate and gentamicin against 1 strain of E coli (strain 9062); synergistic bactericidal activity was found between bLf-lysate and rifampicin against all 3 strains of E coli. Moreover, partial synergy was observed between bLf-lysate and kanamycin, gentamicin, cephalothin, or cefamandole against the strains of E coli, but this partial synergistic activity was mostly seen against only 1 of the strains. Little interaction between bLf-lysate and tetracycline, ampicillin, penicillin G, or erythromycin was observed against the clinical strains of E coli. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A combination of bLf-lysate and certain antimicrobials may prove clinically effective against antimicrobial-resistant strains of E coli.