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Antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter in the food chain in Mexico

Mussaret B Zaidi1, Patrick F McDermott, Freddy D Campos

  • 1Microbiology Research Laboratory, Hospital General O'Horan, Mérida, Mexico. mbzaidi@prodigy.net.mx

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
|August 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

High rates of ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter jejuni were found in Mexican chickens, impacting treatment options for campylobacteriosis. Integrated surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety and public health
  • Microbiology and infectious diseases
  • Veterinary medicine and epidemiology

Background:

  • Thermophilic Campylobacter is a significant cause of foodborne illness globally.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter poses a growing threat to public health.
  • Integrated surveillance is essential for understanding the food chain transmission of resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of thermophilic Campylobacter in Mexico.
  • To investigate Campylobacter contamination across the food chain: humans, food products, and food animals.
  • To assess resistance patterns, particularly to ciprofloxacin and erythromycin, in Campylobacter isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Integrated food chain surveillance network in Mexico (2003–2006).
  • Collection of stool samples from children with diarrhea and asymptomatic children.
  • Fecal samples from food animals and retail meat (chicken, pork, beef) were analyzed.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed using agar dilution methods.

Main Results:

  • Over 1,200 C. jejuni and 1,700 Campylobacter spp. isolates were recovered.
  • Chicken showed the highest contamination rates (93.6% intestinal, 58.3% meat).
  • High prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant C. jejuni (85.8%) in chicken; high erythromycin resistance in swine.

Conclusions:

  • High resistance rates to ciprofloxacin in Campylobacter isolates from Mexico limit fluoroquinolone treatment efficacy.
  • Chicken is a major reservoir for ciprofloxacin-resistant C. jejuni.
  • Integrated surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the food chain is vital for effective public health interventions.

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