Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne enteric pathogens and commensals.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
Abstract
Studentship strategic priority area: Food security (Animal Health)
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, poultry, Tanzania
Abstract:
This project is linked with the project on Hazards Associated with Zoonotic enteric pathogens in Emerging Livestock meat pathways (HAZEL). Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance and a lack of development of new drugs mean that resistant bacterial pose a major threat to public health. Many studies focus on antimicrobial resistance in human or animal pathogens, but reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance exist in commensal organisms too. This is particularly relevant when commensal organism share a niche with pathogens, as in the case of enteric organisms such as Salmonella or E. coli, where there is potential for lateral gene transfer between bacterial species.
This project will focus on phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of antimicrobial resistance determinants in specific enteric organisms and quantification of resistance determinants in faeces of host species that are important in emerging livestock meat pathways in Tanzania, i.e. cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. It will draw on a range of methodologies, including bacteriology, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling. It is envisaged that the PhD will address occurrence and routes of dissemination of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and E. coli from livestock and other species in Northern Tanzania.
The project will be based at the University of Glasgow. Initial field work and diagnostic testing will be conducted in Tanzania in collaboration with colleagues at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, poultry, Tanzania
Abstract:
This project is linked with the project on Hazards Associated with Zoonotic enteric pathogens in Emerging Livestock meat pathways (HAZEL). Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance and a lack of development of new drugs mean that resistant bacterial pose a major threat to public health. Many studies focus on antimicrobial resistance in human or animal pathogens, but reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance exist in commensal organisms too. This is particularly relevant when commensal organism share a niche with pathogens, as in the case of enteric organisms such as Salmonella or E. coli, where there is potential for lateral gene transfer between bacterial species.
This project will focus on phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of antimicrobial resistance determinants in specific enteric organisms and quantification of resistance determinants in faeces of host species that are important in emerging livestock meat pathways in Tanzania, i.e. cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. It will draw on a range of methodologies, including bacteriology, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling. It is envisaged that the PhD will address occurrence and routes of dissemination of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and E. coli from livestock and other species in Northern Tanzania.
The project will be based at the University of Glasgow. Initial field work and diagnostic testing will be conducted in Tanzania in collaboration with colleagues at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ruth Maganga (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/N503563/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | |||
| 1859791 | Studentship | BB/N503563/1 | 01/12/2015 | 30/04/2019 | Ruth Maganga |
| Description | There is extensive literature reporting on the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria isolated from clinical cases. However, very limited studies have focused on the role of the normal gut flora of animal origin in the emergence and spread of resistance to other microorganisms and humans. With the expanded use, particularly in low-income countries of antimicrobials in poultry production, this study sees the need for screening the status of commensal microorganisms in healthy animals to reveal the state of antimicrobial resistance. Healthy animals such as chicken harbor various types microorganisms in their gut. Some organisms that are commensal in chicken could actually be pathogenic to humans The main objectives of my study were 1. To investigate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in different production systems using breakpoint plate method. 2. To determine antimicrobial resistance profiles of E. coli using genotypic and phenotypic methods. Of the 746 samples that were collected 648 (86.8 %) contained coliforms. Analysis revealed there was no significant difference in the prevalence of resistant coliform between Moshi and Arusha (Chi-square = 2.2284, df = 1, p-value = 0.1355). Of the 648 poultry cloacal samples which contained coliforms 95% of the sample possessed tetracycline resistant coliforms, 71.6% of those samples had ciprofloxacin resistant coliforms, 74.5% had imipenem resistant coliforms and 84.3% had ceftazidime resistant coliforms. The proportion of poultry cloacal samples containing resistant coliforms was not significantly different across the four antibiotics compounds in Moshi and Arusha (Chi-square = 0.1106, df = 3, P = 0.9905) and across the farm types (Chi-square = 2.658, df = 9, P = 0.9763, (Table 2) We conducted individual isolate assay to identify E. coli isolates that were present in our samples using genotypic and phenotypic methods. The aim was to determine the proportion of E. coli isolates that were present in the coliform population in our samples. Chromogenic agar was used as a phenotypic method to identify E. coli and differentiating it from other coliforms phenotypically though color expression of the colonies in the media. Unlike other coliforms, E. coli has an ability of metabolizing substrates in the chromogenic agar which subsequently allows it to uniquely acquire a blue colour in contrast to other coliforms. To confirm these results we used Polymerase Chain Reaction which targeted a specific accessory gene (uidA PCR) that is uniquely found in E. coli. Three different methods of interpretation were also used in determining the susceptibility of the isolates. The results revealed about 248 isolates were E. coli. All isolates were tested against four antibiotics i.e Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Imipenem, and Ceftazidime. Based on the three methods of interpretation (i.e clinical breakpoint, ecological cut-offs, and normalized resistance derived breakpoint), no significant difference was found in the proportions of resistant isolates across the four antibiotic classes. |
| Exploitation Route | This will be able to elucidate whether the use of antimicrobials in the four poultry systems has a contribution to the resistance profiles of commensal organisms. It will also allow policymakers to establish priorities and regulations to control the use of antibiotics in poultry husbandry in Tanzania. The demand for poultry meat is likely to keep increasing as habits are changing and the economy is growing. It is therefore important to quantify the risk posed by consuming chicken, which seemingly could look healthy, but potentially harboring resistant E. coli. There is a risk of contracting resistant E. coli if proper hygiene is not observed during slaughter or during chicken handling. Thus information from this study will help necessitate implementation of precautions at farm level to prevent emergence and dissemination resistant E.coli. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Although some of our data is still preliminary and analysis is still ongoing, we hope by the end of this study the community will be informed, as we hope to go back to the farmers to give feedback. Apart from publishing, results will also be presented to the appropriate ministry as part of our feedback. During field visits, since our team was multidisciplinary, we were able to offer advice whenever we could on poultry management and hygiene in animal handling especially during slaughter events at farm. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal |