Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter Isolated from Dressed Beef Carcasses and Raw Milk in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2016-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
Abstract
Campylobacter species are commonly transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated foods such as
milk and meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic
determinants of resistance of Campylobacter isolated from raw milk and beef carcasses in Tanzania. The antimicrobial
resistance genes tested included blaOXA-61 (ampicillin), aph-3-1 (aminoglycoside), tet(O) (tetracycline), and
cmeB (multi-drug efflux pump). The prevalence of Campylobacter was 9.5% in beef carcasses and 13.4% in raw
milk, respectively. Using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we identified 58.1% of the isolates as
Campylobacter jejuni, 30.7%as Campylobacter coli, and 9.7% as other Campylobacter spp. One isolate (1.6%) was
positive for both C. jejuni and C. coli specific PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion
assay and the broth microdilution method showed resistance to: ampicillin (63% and 94.1%), ciprofloxacin (9.3%
and 11.8%), erythromycin (53.7% and 70.6%), gentamicin (0% and 15.7%), streptomycin (35.2%and 84.3%), and
tetracycline (18.5% and 17.7%), respectively. Resistance to azithromycin (42.6%), nalidixic acid (64.8%), and
chloramphenicol (13%) was determined using the disk diffusion assay only, while resistance to tylosin (90.2%) was
quantified using the broth microdilution method. The blaOXA-61 (52.6% and 28.1%), cmeB (26.3% and 31.3%),
tet(O) (26.3% and 31.3%), and aph-3-1 (5.3% and 3.0%) were detected in C. coli and C. jejuni. These findings
highlight the extent of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter occurring in important foods in Tanzania. The
potential risks to consumers emphasize the need for adequate control approaches, including the prudent use of
antimicrobials to minimize the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter.