Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli in live and dressed poultry from metropolitan Accra

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(01)00595-5Get rights and content

Abstract

This study on the microbiology of chicken assessed a total of 97 live birds from three selected farms and 87 carcasses/chicken parts from two supermarkets, two open markets and one wholesale outlet (cold store) in the Accra metropolis.

Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 14 (14.4%) gut contents of live birds from three farms. None of the frozen birds were positive for Campylobacter spp. These isolates were sensitive to most common antibiotics but not to ampicillin and tetracyclines. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 7 (7.2%) gut contents and 13 (6.8%) carcasses and were resistant to erythromycin, cefotiam, penicillin, ampicillin and cefadroxil. Samonella spp. had varied susceptibilities to nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol and minocyclin. No Shigella spp. was isolated from any of the live birds but 6 (6.9%) of imported chicken samples from the cold store and two markets were positive. Fosfomycin and chloramphenicol were the only antibiotics effective against these isolates. Twelve different Escherichia coli serovars were identified from the total of 21 positive samples. These, in order of magnitude isolated, are E. coli 0158 (14.3%), 0125 (14.3%), 025 (9.5%), 028ac (9.5%), 0159 (9.5%), 015 (9.5%), 0126 (9.5%), 063 (4.8%), 0143 (4.8%), 026 (4.8%), 078 (4.8%), 0164 (4.8%). Cefadroxil, ampicillin, penicillin, cefotiam, tetracycline and erythromycin were ineffective against all strains of E. coli isolated. Minocyclin was effective against all strains with the exception of E. coli 0159, 025, 0164 and 063, which were moderately susceptible. All strains with exception of E. coli 0164 were susceptible to fosfomycin. Nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, kanamaycin, ceftrioxone and amoxycillin all showed varied effectiveness against the strains isolated.

It is concluded that imported and locally produced chicken is a potential source of multiple-antibiotic-resistant enteropathogenic bacteria. Measures to improve the microbial quality of chicken are discussed.

Introduction

Food-borne disease is a worldwide problem. Recent developments in food production and processing techniques and the subsequent changing trends in food consumption have resulted in the emergence of new hazards. The increased contact among different nations has stimulated rapid global distribution of foods as well as food-borne pathogens. The number of individuals at risk due to these hazards may rise due to increase in life expectancy.

Data recorded in different countries have shown that the incidence of some of these food-borne diseases have increased dramatically over the past few years, but because of under-reporting, the data are of limited value and cannot be compared between countries (Notermans and Hoogenboom-Verdegaal, 1992).

The trade liberalisation program of Ghana has resulted in an influx of foreign products on the Ghanaian market. These include imported chicken, which due to its relative cheaper price is enjoying a lot of patronage from the general public.

There appears not to be adequate microbiological monitoring of these foods, given the limited number of microbiology laboratories in the country and the facilities available to them. Chicken produced locally using modern methods, also lack microbiological monitoring. This study was therefore conducted to assess the bacterial quality of chicken from some farms, wholesale and retail outlets in the Accra Metropolitan Area. The samples were tested for Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. The findings from the study are expected to provide insight into the health hazards associated with the consumption of chicken.

Section snippets

Samples

Poultry farms were selected on the basis of the level of experience of the supervisory personnel and the demographic distribution of its products. Three farms were selected and these are coded Farms A, B and C.

Farm A (teaching/commercial) has competent managerial personnel and a wide demographic distribution of its products. It has a great variety of farm animals with free movement by some. Farm B (commercial farm) is also managed by competent managerial personnel but has a small demographic

Results

A total of 97 live birds and 87 chicken carcasses were examined. Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli were isolated from 38 (39.2%) live birds. Among the dressed birds 17 (19.5%) were positive for Shigella, Salmonella and E. coli (Table 1).

Fourteen (14.4%) of the 97 live birds examined for intestinal contaminants were positive for Campylobacter (Table 1). There was one isolate (1.0%) from Farm A, seven (7.2%) from Farm B and six (6.2%) from Farm C. None of the chicken carcasses was positive

Discussions

The enteropathogenic bacteria isolated from the chicken samples were Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp. and enteropathogenic E. coli. All these bacteria have been isolated from clinical specimens in Ghana (Mensah et al., unpublished) and elsewhere (Lanata et al, 1992). They have also been implicated in outbreaks of food poisoning Morton, 1993, Gracey and Collins, 1994.

Campylobacter, however, was not detected in the dressed birds and carcasses. Storage time and exposure to air

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the co-operation received from the staff of the farms, the supermarkets, the cold store and the markets. The assistance given by the staff of the Bacteriology Unit of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research is gratefully acknowledged. Funding for the project was from the Japan International Co-operation Agency and the Government of Ghana.

References (14)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (62)

  • Investigation of plasmid-mediated resistance in E. coli isolated from healthy and diarrheic sheep and goats

    2020, Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
    Citation Excerpt :

    Antibiotics used to cure a variety of infectious diseases affecting humans and animals; though, the continuous increase of public health worries (Van der Auwera et al., 2009). The extensive use of antibiotics in medical practice and in animal food production had an adverse effect not only on the pathogens but also on the commensal bacteria and resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Tivendale et al., 2009; Sackey et al., 2001). Microorganisms considered Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) once they exhibit non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories (Santo et al., 2007).

  • Muscle characteristics in chicks challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis and the effect of preventive application of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium

    2019, Poultry Science
    Citation Excerpt :

    In poultry, SE infection causes significant production losses, reduces welfare of birds, and increases the risk of contamination of poultry products for human consumption (Sackey et al., 2001; Pan and Yu, 2014; Iheukwumere et al., 2017). Poultry meat and eggs are considered to be the major source of infection for humans, and antibiotic-resistant strains have been isolated from carcass, drinking water, and litter (Sackey et al., 2001; Heyndrickx et al., 2002; Kilonzo-Nthenge et al., 2008; Velasquez et al., 2018). Salmonellae are not native members of the intestinal microbiota, but early posthatch chicks, which have an immature immune system and have not yet established a stable gut microflora (Jeurissen and Janse, 1996; Crhanova et al., 2011; Pan and Yu, 2014), are highly susceptible to SE colonization.

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text