ARS | Publication request: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN CAMPYLOBACTER

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 1999
Publication Date: August 1, 1999
Citation: Cray, P.J., Stern, N.J., Muhmed, W. 1999. A historical analysis of antimicrobial resistance in campylobacter. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstracts. 78: Suppl. 1. Abstract. 371. P. 84.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. gastroenteritis in humans is the number one cause of food borne illness surpassing infection by Salmonella spp. Within the United States an estimated two to four million such cases occur annually. Mishandling and/or improper preparation of poultry and poultry products appear to contribute to this health concern. Antimicrobial resistance results from the National Antimicrobial Susceptibility Monitoring Program - Enteric Bacteria (NARMS) indicate that resistance occurs in greater than 11% of isolates tested in 1998 for the following antimicrobics: Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, and Tetracycline. All of the NARMS isolates were from poultry and originated in 1998. In this study we tested isolates (n=95 to date; predominately from poultry) collected prior to1998 for resistance to the same antimicrobials used in the NARMS. All testing was done using the E test (AB Biodisk) as per manufacturer's direction. No resistance was observed for Chloramphenicol, Clindamycin, and Gentamicin. In contrast to the 1998 results, only one antimicrobial, Tetracycline, had resistance above 11% (actual percent resistance = 56.8%; actual percent resistance in 1998 =59.1%). Percent resistance to the other antimicrobials was as follows: Azithromycin (2.1%), Ciprofloxacin (7.4%), and Erythromycin (2.1%). These results suggest that most of the resistance in Campylobacter isolates has emerged over the past few years.