PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC ANALYSIS OF CAMPYLOBACTER FROM HUMANS AND BROILERS IN ICELAND (AUGUST - OCTOBER 1999)

Authors: Cray, Paula; Hiett, Kelli; Stern, Norman; Plumblee Lawrence, Jodie; ALFREDSSON, G - UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND; Cox Jr, Nelson; KRISTINSSON, K - NATL UNIV HOSP ICELAND; HARDARDOTTIR, H - NATL UNIV HOSP ICELAND; FRIDRIKSDOTTIR, V - INST FOR EXP PATHOLOGY

Submitted to: Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2004
Publication Date: 10/10/2004
Citation: Cray, P.J., Hiett, K.L., Stern, N.J., Plumblee, J., Alfredsson, G., Cox Jr, N.A., Kristinsson, K., Hardardottir, H., Fridriksdottir, V. 2004. Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of campylobacter from humans and broilers in iceland (august - october 1999). Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy Proceedings. Abstract. C2-1987. P. 130.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: While consumption of contaminated poultry is thought to be the primary source of human campylobacteriosis, transmission of Campylobacter between poultry, other animals, and humans is unclear. Methods: A random prospective sampling in Iceland was conducted from August 1999 thru October 1999. Feces from domestic (DH) and travel associated (TAH) human cases, broiler carcass rinsates (BC), and feces from other animals (OA) were cultured for Campylobacter. Isolates were genotyped by fla sequencing and phenotyped for susceptibility to eight antimicrobials (Azithromycin (Az), Clindamycin (Cm), Erythromycin (Em), Gentamicin (Gm), Chloramphenicol (Cl), Ciprofloxacin (Ci), Nalidixic Acid (Na) and Tetracycline (Tc)) by use of E-test. Results: C. jejuni from DH (5/65) were only resistant to Na while TAH isolates were resistant to Ci, Na and Tc (15/29) or Tc (2/29), alone. The four C. coli TAH isolates were also resistant to Ci, Na, and Tc. C. jejuni BC isolates were resistant to either Na alone (5/94) or both Na and Ci (1/94). Only one (1/14) OA C. coli was also Na and Ci resistant. Resistance patterns were dissimilar among BC, DH, and TAH with identical genotypes. Interestingly, 22/31 TAH isolates had discrete genotypes. Genotypes among OA isolates were largely dissimilar with only 6/33 identical to BC, TAH or DH isolates. Conclusion: In Iceland, fluoroquinolones are rarely used in broiler production but are used for treatment of humans. Therefore, these data suggest that humans, or animals other than poultry, may serve as a primary reservoir of resistant Campylobacter in Iceland. Resistance to Tc can be used as an indicator of domestic travel among humans with Campylobacter.