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Nitrofurantoin resistance in isolates of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 from poultry and humans
A Rampling1, R Upson, D F Brown
1Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
All 38 isolates of Salmonella enteritidis phage type (PT) 4 from chickens and 86 of 89 isolates from human patients were resistant to nitrofurantoin. Resistance to other agents was rare. Thirteen of 16 isolates of S. enteritidis other than PT4 were nitrofurantoin-resistant, and resistance to other agents was slightly more common than with isolates of PT4. Only one third of 83 isolates of other salmonella serotypes were nitrofurantoin-resistant, but resistance to other agents was more common and some isolates were multiply resistant. There was generally cross-resistance between nitrofurantoin and furazolidone although there were discrepancies with isolates that had MICs close to the breakpoint. It may be that use of nitrofurans in the poultry industry has selected for colonization and infection with S. enteritidis PT4. This could explain the prevalence of the organism in poultry and in human enteric infection in the United Kingdom.
Insights
Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 (PT4) shows high resistance to nitrofurantoin in poultry and human infections. This widespread resistance may be linked to the use of nitrofurans in the poultry industry.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Food Safety
Background:
- Salmonella enteritidis is a significant cause of foodborne illness.
- Antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is a growing public health concern.
- Nitrofurans are used in animal agriculture, raising questions about resistance development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enteritidis isolates from poultry and human patients.
- To determine the relationship between Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 (PT4) and nitrofurantoin resistance.
- To explore the potential link between nitrofuran use in poultry and the emergence of resistant Salmonella.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella enteritidis isolates.
- Phenotypic characterization of resistance patterns.
- Comparison of resistance profiles between different Salmonella serotypes and phage types.
Main Results:
- High rates of nitrofurantoin resistance were observed in Salmonella enteritidis PT4 isolates from both chickens (38/38) and humans (86/89).
- Resistance to other antimicrobial agents was rare in PT4 isolates.
- Other Salmonella serotypes showed lower nitrofurantoin resistance (1/3) but higher rates of resistance to other agents, including multiple resistance.
Conclusions:
- Salmonella enteritidis PT4 exhibits significant and widespread nitrofurantoin resistance.
- Cross-resistance between nitrofurantoin and furazolidone was generally observed.
- Nitrofuran use in poultry may have selected for Salmonella enteritidis PT4, contributing to its prevalence in poultry and human infections in the UK.