ARS | Publication request: Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter Isolates Recovered from Chicken Carcass Rinsates in 2007

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 4, 2008
Publication Date: August 3, 2008
Citation: Cray, P.J., Plumblee, J., Anandaraman, N. 2008. Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter Isolates Recovered from Chicken Carcass Rinsates in 2007. [abstract] International Association for Food Protection. T2-08. P. 29-30.

Technical Abstract: Introduction: Since the 1990’s there has been increasing concern regarding the development of antimicrobial resistance among food borne bacteria. To monitor resistance trends in food borne bacteria, the U.S. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) tracks antimicrobial susceptibility among Campylobacter isolates. Purpose: To assess changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities of Campylobacter isolates recovered from chicken carcass rinsates at slaughter. Methods: Chicken carcass rinsates from collected from federally inspected slaughter/processing plants by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Pathogen Reduction: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) verification testing program during 2007 were submitted to NARMS. Campylobacter isolates were recovered from spent chicken carcass rinsates using conventional techniques and tested for minimum inhibitory concentrations using a custom panel of nine antimicrobials and following CLSI standards. Confirmation and speciation were obtained using the Campylobacter BAX® PCR (DuPont Qualicon; Wilmington, DE) according to manufacturer’s directions. Results: In 2007, 205 rinsates were positive for Campylobacter which resulted in 140 (50.7%) C. jejuni isolates, 64 (31.2%) C. coli, and 1 unspeciated. Among C. jejuni isolates, resistance was observed to tetracycline (TET; 55.7%), ciprofloxacin (CIP; 21.4%) and nalidixic acid (NA; 20.7%). C. coli isolates were resistant to all antimicrobials except florfenicol: TET (37.5%), CIP, azithromycin, erythromycin and NA (all at 17.2%) and gentamicin (1.6%). An MIC of > 1 for florfenicol occurred more often among C. coli isolates than C. jejuni isolates (92.2% and 63.5%, respectively). Summary: Overall, C. coli isolates tend to be resistant to more antimicrobial agents than C. jejuni isolates. In comparison with 2006 results, the most dramatic shifts were observed for TET, CIP and NA resistance in C. jejuni (56.1%, 8.3% and 8.8%, respectively). Significance: These data demonstrate the likelihood that the breakpoint for NA requires further evaluation. Additionally, continued monitoring and studies are required to determine why the shift in resistance has occurred.