Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of <i>Listeria</i> Species Isolated from Broiler Abattoirs in Lusaka, Zambia

oleh: Prudence Mpundu, John Bwalya Muma, Andrew Nalishuwa Mukubesa, Henson Kainga, Steward Mudenda, Flavien Nsoni Bumbangi, Walter Muleya, Patrick Katemangwe, Musso Munyeme

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-04-01

Deskripsi

<i>L. monocytogenes</i> is a public health threat linked to fast foods such as broiler chickens. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of <i>Listeria</i> species in chickens from abattoirs and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance. In total, 150 broiler carcass swabs distributed as cloacal (<i>n</i> = 60), exterior surface (<i>n</i> = 60), and environmental (<i>n</i> = 30) were collected. <i>Listeria</i> species were characterized using biochemical tests and PCR. We conducted antibiotic resistance tests using the disc diffusion and Etest (Biomerieux, Durham, NC, USA) methods. Overall isolation of <i>Listeria</i> species was 15% (23/150) 95% CI (10.16–22.33), 2% (3/150) 95% CI (0.52–6.19) and 13% (20/150) 95% CI (8.53–20.08) came from environmental swabs and carcass swabs, respectively. Proportions of positive <i>Listeria</i> isolates were <i>L. monocytogenes</i> 74% (17/23), <i>L. welshimeri</i> 22% (5/23), and <i>L. innocua</i> 4% (1/23). <i>Listeria</i> species from the exterior carcass swabs was 61% (14/23), cloacal swabs 26% (6/23), and environmental swabs 3% (3/23). <i>L. monocytogenes</i> had the greatest resistance percentage to the following antibiotics: clindamycin (61%, 10/23), tetracycline 30% (7/23), and erythromycin 13%, (3/23). Isolation of <i>L. monocytogenes</i> in relatively high numbers, including the antimicrobial profiles, suggests a potential risk of the pathogen remaining viable in the food continuum and a public health risk to would-be consumers.