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Assessing the Load, Virulence and Antibiotic-Resistant Traits of ESBL/Ampc <i>E. coli</i> from Broilers Raised on Conventional, Antibiotic-Free, and Organic Farms

Poultry is the most likely source of livestock-associated Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-producing <i>E. coli</i> (EC) for humans. We tested the hypothesis that farming methods have an impact on the load of ESBL/pAmpC-EC in the gut of broilers a...

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Main Authors: Silvia Tofani (Author), Elisa Albini (Author), Francesca Blasi (Author), Lucilla Cucco (Author), Carmela Lovito (Author), Carmen Maresca (Author), Michele Pesciaroli (Author), Serenella Orsini (Author), Eleonora Scoccia (Author), Giovanni Pezzotti (Author), Chiara Francesca Magistrali (Author), Francesca Romana Massacci (Author)
Format: Book
Published: MDPI AG, 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:Poultry is the most likely source of livestock-associated Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-producing <i>E. coli</i> (EC) for humans. We tested the hypothesis that farming methods have an impact on the load of ESBL/pAmpC-EC in the gut of broilers at slaughter. Isolates (<i>n</i> = 156) of antibiotic-free (AF), organic (O), and conventional (C) animals were characterized for antibiotic susceptibility and antibiotic resistance genes. Thirteen isolates were whole-genome sequenced. The average loads of ESBL/pAmpC-EC in cecal contents were 4.17 Log CFU/g for AF; 2.85 Log CFU/g for O; and 3.88 Log CFU/g for C type (<i>p</i> < 0.001). ESBL/pAmpC-EC isolates showed resistance to antibiotic classes historically used in poultry, including penicillins, tetracyclines, quinolones, and sulfonamides. Isolates from O and AF farms harbored a lower proportion of resistance to antibiotics than isolates from C farms. Among the determinants for ESBL/pAmpC, CTX-M-1 prevailed (42.7%), followed by TEM-type (29%) and SHV (19.8%). Avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i> (APEC), belonging to ST117 and ST349, were identified in the collection. These data confirm the possible role of a broiler as an ESBL/AmpC EC and APEC reservoir for humans. Overall, our study suggests that antibiotic-free and organic production may contribute to a reduced exposure to ESBL/AmpC EC for the consumer.
Item Description:10.3390/antibiotics11111484
2079-6382

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