Antimicrobial resistance and virulence studies in broiler chicken production: a one health approach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize bacterial species and their resistance and virulence profiles in a poultry production located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Samples from 1-day-old chicks and broilers were evaluated using dependent and independent cultivation techniques. The 25 strains of Staphylococcus spp. presented the mecA gene. Of the 51 strains of Enterococcus spp., a strain of E. faecium presented the vanB gene, and one strain of E. faecalis presented vanA and vanB genes simultaneously. Analysis of scraped litter from wood used for poultry animals revealed the presence of a carbapenemase resistant gene, blaVIM, in one of the samples evaluated. Of the 44 Enterobacterales isolates, 45% (20/44) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Of these, 9 (45%) tested positive for the blaSHV gene, 4 (20%) for the blaCTX gene, 3 (15%) for the blaTEM gene, 2 (10%) for the blaSHV and blaCTX genes and 2 (10%) for the blaSHV and blaTEM genes. Some virulence factors related to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) were detected in the E. coli strains. The role of animal production in the emergence and spread of resistance genes is a matter of One Health, requiring studies to be carried out in animal environments.