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Title: Epidemiology of food-borne salmonella in poultry

Author
item Cray, Paula

Submitted to: Poultry Health and Processing National Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2009
Publication Date: 9/28/2009
Citation: Cray, P.J. 2009. Epidemiology of food-borne salmonella in poultry. Poultry Health and Processing National Meeting Proceedings. 63-69.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is of global concern and first emerged in bacteria shortly after the introduction of penicillin. It is common to see resistance develop after new compounds (regardless of class) are released. However many factors influence the persistence and transmission of resistant bacteria. Initially, resistance to a few antimicrobials was not of major concern. However, because bacteria develop genetic mechanisms (including resistance mechanisms) to ensure their survival, antimicrobial resistance to 5 or more antimicrobials emerged. This becomes problematic as fewer options are available for treatment. Resistance among primarily human pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis has resulted in the emergence of untreatable strains. Resistance among zoonotic bacteria is a public health concern. In particular, research has focused on pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. Resistance between and among Salmonella serotypes is not equal as differences between animal source are observed. S. Kentucky, S. Enteritidis and S. Heidelberg are among the serotypes most often recovered from chickens. Of these three serotypes, Enteritidis and Heidelberg appear to cause more clinical disease in humans than Kentucky. It is interesting to note that resistance, including multiple drug resistance (MDR), among Enteritidis is significantly less than that observed for the other serotypes. Isolates submitted to NARMS were tested for susceptibility to 14 core antimicrobials using a custom made panel and a semi-automated broth microdilution system (Sensititre, Trek Diagnostics, Cleveland, OH). MDR is defined as resistance to > 2 antimicrobials. Resistance is most often observed to tetracycline (35/765; 4.6%). MDR is uncommon, particularly among Enteritidis isolates. The percent of isolates expressing MDR among isolates originating from broiler chickens was - Kentucky (49.3%, n=219), Enteritidis (0.9 %, n=115) and Heidelberg (23.4 %, n=94). These data indicate that resistance, including MDR, varies by serotype. Continued monitoring and further characterization of isolates is warranted.