Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Campylobacter on Retail Chicken in New Zealand: A Sentinel Survey

Antibiotics are relied upon to treat and prevent infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, antimicrobial use, particularly when unnecessary or inappropriate, has contributed to the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Foodborne transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an increasing public health concern, particularly through poultry contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. In this study, the prevalence of Campylobacter contamination and associated antimicrobial resistance in fresh retail chicken purchased around New Zealand was investigated. Campylobacter was detected in 50% (12/24; 95% CI: 31.3%-68.7%) of samples using selective culture, PCR, and sequencing. Among confirmed isolates, high levels of resistance were observed to tetracycline (92%) and ciprofloxacin (83%), while 83% were susceptible to erythromycin. No isolate was fully susceptible to all interpreted antibiotics. These preliminary findings indicate that antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter can be detected in fresh retail chicken in New Zealand and support the need for larger, probabilistic surveillance studies to generate national prevalence and resistance estimates. Continued surveillance, stricter policies on contaminated poultry products, and development of alternatives to traditional antibiotics are recommended to protect public health.