Antimicrobial resistance, genetic diversity and virulence associated factors of Campylobacter spp. isolated from poultry meat in Algeria.

BACKGROUND

Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial food infections worldwide. In Algeria, data regarding the epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance and virulence of Campylobacter remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance, genotyping and virulence associated mechanism of Campylobacter isolated from slaughterhouses in Algeria.

METHODS

A total of 133 pooled poultry samples were collected from five slaughterhouses in Algiers. Campylobacter spp. was differentiated and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 antimicrobial agents was assessed using Kirby-Bauer-Method. The tetO gene and mutations in the gyrA gene associated with tetracyclines and fluoroquinolone resistance were investigated, respectively. The potential associated genes were screened. The flaA typing for isolated Campylobacter was performed using PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

Campylobacter spp. was detected in 28 (21.05%) poultry samples. The prevalence was significantly higher in caecal samples (61.11%) than in neck skin samples (14.78%). Among 28 isolates, 19 (67.86%), 8 (28.57%) and 1 (3.57%) were identified as Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lari, respectively. High levels of resistance to fluoroquinolones (92.86%), nalidixic acid (96.43%) and tetracycline (85.71%) were observed. Multidrug resistance to three or more classes of antimicrobial agents was ranged between 7.14 and 28.57%. The tetO gene was amplified in 20 (83.3%) phenotypic tetracycline resistant isolates while mutations in the gyrA gene associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were detected in 84.62% (22/26) of isolates. Campylobacter spp. was differentiated into 16 genotypes and two isolates from human were belonged to two different flaA genotypes. All 19 Campylobacter coli isolates carried cadF and cdtA, while racR, dnaJ, cdtB and cdtC were detected in 36.84, 36.84, 84.21 and 52.63%, respectively. In turkeys, 22.22% of Campylobacter coli and 100% of Campylobacter jejuni harbored all virulence associated genes.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the importance of integrated surveillance of Campylobacter across animal and human sectors to mitigate public health risks.