One Health Approach to Tackle Microbial Contamination on Poultries-A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Poultry industry settings are potential reservoirs for diverse microbial pathogens.
• Occupational exposure assessments in poultry environments require standardized methodologies.
• Understanding microbial contamination is crucial for One Health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize published data on microbial occupational exposure assessment in poultry.
• To identify common sampling methods, analytical techniques, and microbial targets in poultry farm environments.
• To highlight knowledge gaps, particularly concerning fungal contamination and antimicrobial resistance, and propose a sampling protocol.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search adhering to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology.
• Analysis of air and material samples (dust, cages, soil, wastewater) using filtration and passive sampling.
• Application of culture-based methods, molecular tools, antimicrobial susceptibility screening, cytotoxicity, virological, and serological assays.

Main Results:

• Air filtration and material collection were primary sampling methods.
• Culture-based and molecular methods were frequently employed for microbial detection.
• Studies predominantly focused on bacteria, with limited data on fungi, mycotoxins (e.g., AFB1), and antimicrobial resistance profiles.

Conclusions:

• Poultry farms present a significant reservoir of microbial contaminants affecting human, animal, and environmental health.
• There is a critical need for more research on fungal contamination, mycotoxins, and antimicrobial resistance in poultry.
• A One Health approach and standardized protocols are essential for effective exposure assessment and risk management in poultry settings.