Abstract
A temporal trend analysis was performed on antimicrobial resistance data collected over 4 consecutive years (2011-2014) in the official Belgian antimicrobial resistance monitoring programme. Commensal Escherichia coli strains were isolated from faecal samples of four livestock categories (veal calves, young beef cattle, broiler chickens and slaughter pigs) and the trends of resistance profiles were analysed. The resistance prevalence remained high (>50%) during the study period for ampicillin in veal calves and chickens, for ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in chickens, for sulfamethoxazole in veal calves, chickens and pigs and for tetracycline in veal calves. Using logistic regression and Generalized Estimating Equation and after p value adjustment for multiple testing (Linear step-up method), statistically significant decreasing temporal trends were observed for several of the 11 tested antimicrobials in several livestock categories: in veal calves (10/11), in chickens (6/11) and in pigs (5/11). A significant increasing trend was observed for the prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin in chickens. Multi-resistance, considered as the resistance to at least three antimicrobials of different antibiotic classes, was observed in the four livestock categories but was significantly decreasing in veal calves, chickens and pigs. Overall, the prevalence of resistance and of multi-resistance was lowest in the beef cattle livestock category and highest in broiler chickens. These decreasing temporal trends of antimicrobial resistance might be due to a decrease of the total antimicrobial consumption for veterinary use in Belgium which was reported for the period between 2010 and 2013. The methodology and statistical tools developed in this study provide outputs which can detect shifts in resistance levels or resistance trends associated with particular antimicrobial classes and livestock categories. Such outputs can be used as objective evidence to evaluate the possible efficacy of measures taken by animal health authorities and stakeholders in the livestock sector to limit antimicrobial resistance occurrence. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 443-452 |
| Journal | Preventive Veterinary Medicine |
| Volume | 122 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].Funding
This study was commissioned by the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food chain (FASFC) and carried out by the epidemiology unit and The Bacteriology Department of CODA-CERVA (Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, Brussels) in close collaboration with the Center for Statistics (CenStat, Hasselt University, Belgium) which developed the statistical models adapted to the available data and the expected outputs. Our thanks also go to the staff of the veterinary laboratories of the two Belgian regional animal health association (ARSIA and DGZ) for their work done to isolate the bacterial strains.
Research Keywords
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Commensal bacteria
- E. coli
- Monitoring
- Surveillance
- Trend analysis