Antimicrobial resistance in Clostridium perfringens isolates from broilers in Belgium

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Food Safety

Background:

• Clostridium perfringens is a significant pathogen in poultry, impacting broiler health and productivity.
• Monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for effective disease management and preventing resistance spread.
• Previous studies in Belgium (1980, 2004) provide historical data for comparison.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Clostridium perfringens isolates from Belgian broilers.
• To identify specific resistance genes (tet and lnu) associated with observed resistance.
• To compare current resistance patterns with historical data from Belgium.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Clostridium perfringens from broiler chickens.
• Phenotypic resistance assessment using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) distributions.
• Molecular detection of tetracycline and lincomycin resistance genes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Main Results:

• All 39 Clostridium perfringens isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, tylosin, florfenicol, and bacitracin.
• Acquired resistance was observed in 66% for tetracycline and 61% for lincomycin.
• Specific resistance genes (tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tetB(P), tet(O), tet(W), lnu(A), lnu(B)) were detected in a proportion of resistant strains.
• No significant changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns were observed compared to 1980 and 2004 data.

Conclusions:

• Clostridium perfringens isolates from Belgian broilers exhibit stable antimicrobial resistance patterns over decades.
• While susceptibility to several key antibiotics remains high, tetracycline and lincomycin resistance is prevalent and linked to specific genes.
• Continued surveillance is essential to monitor potential shifts in resistance and inform antimicrobial stewardship in poultry production.