Antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmids in Campylobacter jejuni from broiler production chain in Southern Brazil

• Published in: Food science & technology 2021-06, Vol.144, p.111202, Article 111202
• Main Authors: Kleinubing, Natalie Rauber, Ramires, Tassiana, Würfel, Simone de Fátima Rauber, Haubert, Louise, Scheik, Letícia Klein, Kremer, Frederico Schmitt, Lopes, Graciela Volz, Silva, Wladimir Padilha da
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Campylobacter spp; Efflux pumps; Multidrug resistance
• ISSN: 0023-6438; 1096-1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111202

Campylobacter jejuni is the main cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans throughout the world. Besides impairing the treatment of campylobacteriosis, the presence of resistant C. jejuni isolates in the food production chain raises a concern to human health. The aims of this study were to perform the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance in C. jejuni isolates from broiler production chain in Southern Brazil, as well as to verify the presence of plasmids among the isolates. In this study, 82.2% of C. jejuni isolates presented resistance to at least one antimicrobial tested, and 46.4% were multidrug resistant. The cmeB and cmeG genes, which encode to multidrug efflux pumps, were reported in 91.3% of the resistant isolates. The tet(O) gene was found in 81.2% of the tetracycline-resistant isolates. All the isolates with phenotypic resistance to kanamycin were positive for the presence of the aphA-3 gene. Regarding the β-lactams, the blaoxa-61 gene was present in 66.7% of the ampicillin-resistant isolates. Thus, the high rates of antimicrobial resistance and the presence of plasmids harboring antimicrobial resistance genes found in C. jejuni isolates highlights the importance of a prudent and judicious use of antimicrobial agents in animal production in Brazil. •82.2% of C. jejuni isolates presented resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent.•The most common resistance was to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin.•Multidrug resistance was found in C. jejuni isolates from the broiler production chain.•The tet(O) and aphA-3 genes were found in plasmid DNA.