Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208612
Title: Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from Chicken Carcass Rinsates: Update from the Animal Arm of NARMS

Author
item Cray, Paula
item Plumblee Lawrence, Jodie
item ANANDARAMAN, NEENA - USDA-FSIS
item Englen, Mark
item Meinersmann, Richard - Rick

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/21/2007
Publication Date: 7/8/2007
Citation: Cray, P.J., Plumblee, J., Anandaraman, N., Englen, M.D., Meinersmann, R.J. 2007. Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from Chicken Carcass Rinsates: Update from the Animal Arm of NARMS. International Association for Food Protection. P2-51:158-159.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: The development of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter species, particularly C. jejuni and C. coli, is of public health concern. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for antimicrobials used in susceptibility testing of C. jejuni and C. coli as part of the animal arm of NARMS. Methods: Campylobacter isolates were tested for susceptibility to eight antimicrobials including Azithromycin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Nalidixic Acid, and Tetracycline. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were obtained using E-test (AB Biodisk) from 1998 through 2004. In 2005, a semi-automated broth microdilution system (Trek Diagnostics, Inc.) was used and Florfenicol and Telithromycin, were added. MIC50s and MIC90s were calculated for each year. Results: From 1998 through 2004, the MIC50s and MIC90s for C. jejuni and C. coli either remained unchanged or declined. The most dramatic decline was observed for MIC50s to Tetracycline (the 1998 MIC50 was 256 ug/ml for both C. jejuni and C. coli while in 2005 the MIC50 was 0.50 ug/ml for C. jejuni and 0.25 ug/ml for C. coli). The MIC50s for 2006 (to date) were within 1-2 dilutions of the 2005 numbers with the exception of Tetracycline which increased to 32 ug/ml for both C. jejuni and C. coli . Additionally, using a breakpoint of 4 ug/ml for Ciprofloxacin, the overall percent resistant declined from 15% in 2005 to 8.5% in 2006 for C. jejuni and 22.1% in 2005 to 14.7% in 2006 for C. coli (preliminary data for 2006). Overall, the percent resistance, regardless of antimicrobial, was higher for C. coli compared to C. jejuni. Significance: These data indicate that, in general, the level of resistance among Campylobacter isolates is declining, particularly to Ciprofloxacin. However, resistance to Tetracycline appears to vary and increasing trends in resistance require continued monitoring.