Genetic characterisation of class 1 integrons among multidrug-resistant Salmonella serotypes in broiler chicken farms.

OBJECTIVES

Antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella serotypes has been reported. Integrons play an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria. Scarce literature is available on the identification of integrons in Salmonella isolated from broiler chickens. In this study, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and characterisation of class 1 integrons among multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serotypes in broiler chicken farms in Egypt were performed.

METHODS

Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR was performed to detect antimicrobial resistance genes and class 1 integrons in the tested Salmonella serotypes. Gene sequencing of the variable region of a class 1 integron was performed.

RESULTS

Salmonella spp. were detected in 26 (13.5%) of 192 broiler samples, with Salmonella Enteritidis being the most frequently detected serotype, followed by Salmonella Kentucky and Salmonella Typhimurium and other serotypes. A very high resistance rate was observed to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (100%), whilst a low resistance rate was observed to cefuroxime (57.7%). MDR S. enterica isolates displayed resistance to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. Class 1 integrons were detected in 20 (76.9%) of the 26 Salmonella isolates. A high prevalence of class 1 integrons, as the first recorded percentage in the literature, associated with MDR Salmonella isolates was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Antimicrobial resistance rates in Salmonella serotypes from broiler chicken farms were alarming, especially for ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. Thus, another therapeutic strategy other than antimicrobials is recommended to prevent outbreaks of MDR Salmonella.