Prevalence, Characterization, and Proteomic Relatedness Among β-Lactam-Resistant Bacteria Throughout the Poultry Production Chain in Greece
Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. are associated with hospital-acquired infections and are commonly isolated across the poultry food production chain...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Foods |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/224 |
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| Summary: | Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. are associated with hospital-acquired infections and are commonly isolated across the poultry food production chain. Comprehensive data regarding the prevalence, spatiotemporal variations, and characterization of β-lactam-resistant bacteria in poultry farms and slaughterhouses is scarce. This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of β-lactam-resistant <i>E. coli</i>, <i>K. pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. isolated from poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and associated personnel in Greece. Strains were selectively isolated and identified via MALDI-TOF MS, which was also employed to identify possible relatedness. <i>E. coli</i> isolates were further classified into phylogenetic groups. The prevalence of β-lactam-resistant strains in farm and slaughterhouse environments was 15.0% (n = 15 strains)/57.3% (n = 71 strains) for <i>E. coli</i>, 11.0% (n = 11 strains)/1.6% (n = 2 strains) for <i>K. pneumoniae</i>, and 1.0% (n = 1 strain)/25.8% (n = 38 strains) for <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp., respectively. The prevalence of <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. and <i>E. coli</i> on farmers’ skin was 16.7% (n = 2 strains) and 8.3% (n = 1 strain), correspondingly. Significantly higher <i>E. coli</i> isolation rates were observed in warmer seasons. All strains were multidrug-resistant and most carried ESBL/AmpC genes. Most <i>E. coli</i> isolates belonged to phylogroups A (41.4%, n = 36) and B1 (24.1%, n = 21). Proteomic analysis indicated relatedness among strains from different regions and seasons. Thus, poultry farms and slaughterhouses may serve as significant reservoirs of β-lactam-resistant strains of <i>E. coli</i>, <i>K. pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. |
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| ISSN: | 2304-8158 |