Multiresistant bacteria isolated from chicken meat in Austria

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), are a growing global health concern.
• The presence of MDR bacteria outside clinical settings and their potential contamination of food, particularly meat, necessitates investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of MDR bacteria in chicken meat available on the Austrian market.
• To identify specific types of MDR bacteria, including ESBL Enterobacteriaceae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, and VRE, in Austrian chicken meat.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 50 chicken meat samples of Austrian origin.
• Testing for the presence of ESBL Enterobacteriaceae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, and VRE.
• Characterization of resistance genes using PCR and sequencing.

Main Results:

• ESBL-producing E. coli were detected in 26 samples.
• Five samples contained mecA gene-harboring Staphylococci, but no MRSA.
• Four samples tested positive for VRE.
• 48% of samples were free from the investigated MDR bacteria.
• CTX-M-1 and SHV-12 were the predominant ESBL genes identified.

Conclusions:

• MDR bacteria, particularly ESBL-producing E. coli and VRE, are present in Austrian chicken meat.
• The study did not detect MRSA in the analyzed samples.
• Findings underscore the importance of monitoring MDR bacteria in the food supply chain to mitigate public health risks.