Microbial Load, Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Residues in Broiler Chicken

Chicken meat is highly preferred protein food worldwide. To meet the demand, huge poultry farms are established and using antibiotics as prophylaxis and treatment against the bacterial diseases. Uncontrolled usage of antibiotics has led to development of antibiotic resistance in poultry and antibiotic residues in poultry chicken. Fifty one chicken meat samples were collected from various retail outlets. Antibiotic residues were quantified by HPLC, total microbial load was measured by growth of bacteria on growth medium and antibiotic resistant profile of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter spp was determined by well diffusion method. Except neomycin, all tested antibiotics were present in the range of 10-978 ppm, the average microbial load was in the range log 10 of 7.32 per gram of chicken sample, E. coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter spp were resistant to several antibiotics studied. Hence there is a need of appropriate usage of antibiotics in poultry and proper handling of chicken during farming and slaughtering.

Advances in biodegradation of macrolide antibiotics / 生物工程学报

Macrolide antibiotics are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics with the macrolide as core nucleus. Recently, antibiotic pollution has become an important environmental problem due to the irregular production and abuse of macrolide antibiotics. Microbial degradation is one of the most effective methods to deal with antibiotic pollution. This review summarizes the current status of environmental pollution caused by macrolide antibiotics, the degradation strains, the degradation enzymes, the degradation pathways and the microbial processes for degrading macrolide antibiotics. Moreover, the critical challenges on the biodegradation of macrolide antibiotics were also discussed.

Intramammary treatment with gentamicin in lactating cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis / Tratamento intramamário com gentamicina em vacas com mastite clínica e subclínica durante a lactação

The study evaluated the microbiological profile of milk samples collected before and after mastitis treatment with gentamicin and investigated biofilms production and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. isolated. The presence of gentamicin residues in milk after the recommended withdrawal period was also evaluated. Antimicrobial residues were analyzed by Delvotest® SP NT over a period of 12 days beginning after 24 hours the last gentamicin application. Some of Staphylococcus spp. isolates were biofilm producers (19.05%). Staphylococcus spp. showed high levels of resistance to neomycin (16.95%), penicillin G (10.17%), and ampicillin (10.17%). Multidrug resistance to all antibiotics tested was observed in 1.69% of the Staphylococcus spp. isolates. Among 1440 mammary quarter milk samples 24.95% presented gentamicin residues after the withdrawal period. Gentamicin residues were also detected in 3.8% of samples from calibrated glass recorder jar (n=383) 4.1 days after treatment. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains as well as increasing the risk of presence of residues of these drugs in milk. These problems affect the milk quality and may become a public health problem.

Este estudo avaliou o perfil microbiológico de amostras de leite colhidas antes e após o tratamento da mastite com gentamicina e investigou a produção de biofilmes e o perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Avaliou-se também a presença de resíduos de gentamicina no leite após o período de carência recomendado. Resíduos de antimicrobianos foram analisados por Delvotest® SP NT ao longo de um período de 12 dias, iniciando 24 horas após a última aplicação de gentamicina. Alguns dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados apresentaram produção de biofilmes (19,05%). Staphylococcus spp. apresentaram elevados níveis de resistência à neomicina (16,95%), penicilina G (10,17%), e ampicilina (10.17%). Multirresistência a todos os antibióticos testados foi observada em 1,69% dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Do total de 1440 amostras de leite de quartos mamários, 24,95% apresentaram resíduos de gentamicina após o período de carência. Resíduos de gentamicina também foram detectados em 3,8% das amostras de balões volumétricos coletores de leite (n= 383), 4,1 dias após o tratamento. O uso indiscriminado de antibióticos pode levar ao aparecimento de estirpes multirresistentes bem como o aumento do risco da presença de resíduos destas drogas no leite. Esses problemas afetam a qualidade do leite e podem tornar-se um problema de saúde pública.

Antibiotic Residues in Meat and Eggs in Taiwan: A Local Surveillance.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors of antibiotic residues in meats and eggs in Taiwan through a cross-sectional study. Methodology: From 1 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2014, we collected 175 samples from supermarkets (eggs, n = 50; chicken meat, n = 50; pork meat, n = 50; and fish meat, n = 25) and 175 samples from wet markets (eggs, n = 50; chicken meat, n = 50; pork meat, n = 50; and fish meat, n = 25) in Taiwan. Most samples were purchased in southern Taiwan. Results: In total, 350 samples were collected, and 8% were determined by the Premi®Test to contain antibiotic residues. Univariate analysis showed that the meat and eggs purchased from wet markets were more likely to have antibiotic residues than those purchased from supermarkets (12% vs. 4%, P = .006). Multivariate analysis showed that the suburban locale (odds ratio: 4.59; 95% confidence interval: 1.21–17.42) and the wet market type (odds ratio: 3.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.43–8.62) were two independent risk factors for meats and eggs to be positive for antibiotic residues. Conclusion: The 2013–14 meat and egg surveillance for antibiotic residues found 8% rate of positive samples. The suburban locale and wet market type were two independent risk factors for antibiotic residues to be detected in meats and eggs in Southern Taiwan. Further surveillance of antibiotic residues in meats and eggs in these high risk areas may be necessary.

Microbial Quality and Antibiotic Residues in Raw Beef from Selected Abattoirs in Accra, Ghana.

Aims: To determine the microbial quality and the presence of antibiotic residues in raw beef from four major abattoirs in Accra, Ghana. Study Design: Cross sectional. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were obtained from the four major abattoirs namely; Madina, Tema (GIHOC), Accra, Amasaman and the University of Ghana (UG) Farms, transferred immediately to the Bacteriology Laboratory, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, for processing. The study was carried out between June 2013 and April, 2014. Methodology: Raw beef samples were aseptically collected from 200 cattle slaughtered for consumption. Total plate count, presence of foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, E. coli 0157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Shigella species were determined after culture and incubation on standard microbiological media. Both liver and kidney samples were also collected from each of the 200 carcasses and tested for antibiotic residues using Premi® test kit (R-Biopharm AG, Germany). Results: The total plate counts in all the samples from the abattoirs ranged between 8.3x103 – 5.5x105 cfu/g. A total of 43 pathogens were isolated. Of this number, 30 (69.76%) were E. coli, 8 (18.69%) S. aureus, 2 (4.65%) Salmonella Typhimurium, 2 (4.65%) L. monocytogenes and 1 (2.3%) Yersinia enterocolitica. Fifty-nine strains from other species were also isolated: Bacillus spp. (21), Enterobacter spp. (18), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1), Aeromonas spp. (3), coliforms (12) and Klebsiella spp. (4). None of the E. coli isolated were positive for O157: H7. Overall, 18% of both the liver and kidney samples were positive for the presence of antibiotic residues but the kidneys recorded the highest (12%) percentage of positive whilst the liver recorded (6%). Conclusion: Beef at the abattoirs were contaminated with foodborne pathogens and antibiotic residues, however, the total aerobic counts were within the acceptable range considered safe for human consumption. Detection of pathogens and antibiotic residues in beef is of public health concern.