Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo f. domestica) Meat as a Potential  Reservoir for Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistant and  Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains

M.  Bagheri; R.  Ghanbarpour; Z.  Amirpoorsaid; P.   Mohseni; M.  Hesam-Arefi; M.  Jajarmi

doi:10.18502/jfqhc.13.1.21379

M. Bagheri Department of Food Science and Technology, Bardsir Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
R. Ghanbarpour Molecular Microbiology Research Group, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
Z. Amirpoorsaid Department of Food Science and Technology, Bardsir Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
P. Mohseni Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
M. Hesam-Arefi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
M. Jajarmi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfqhc.13.1.21379

Keywords: Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli Beta-Lactamase Antibiotic resistance Phylogeny Turkeys Abattoirs

Abstract

Background: Enteropathogenic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the two main pathotypes capable of causing serious human infections, especially when resistant to antibiotics.

Methods: In this work, 95 turkey carcasses were swabbed in slaughterhouse over four months (June–September 2023). Antibiotic resistance was evaluated by a disk diffusion method named Kirby–Bauer against nine antimicrobial agents. Three virulence genes including stx₁, stx₂, eae, three resistance genes including bla_TEM, bla_SHV, bla_CTX-M, and four phylogenetic markers (arpA, chuA, yjaA, TspE4.C2) were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (version 24), with the chi-square test at a significance level of p≤0.05.

Results: Out of 95 carcasses, 72 (75.78%) were E. coli-positive. Among the E. coli isolates, 63.89% were resistant to chloramphenicol, 59.72% to nalidixic acid, and 56.94% to florfenicol. One isolate, classified as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase positive, belonged to phylogroup D and showed simultaneous resistance to four antibiotics without harboring the resistance genes studied. Overall, 52.7% of the E. coli isolates were recognized as MDR (multidrug-resistant). Profiles of resistance genes included bla_TEM (23.61%), bla_TEM/bla_SHV (2.77%), and bla_CTX-M (1.38%). Virulence genes were detected in six isolates: stx₁ (4.17%), stx₂ (1.39%), and eae (2.77%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed five groups: A (19.44%), B1 (36.11%), C (5.55%), D (13.8%), and E (15.27%), while 9.72% remained unclassified.

Conclusion: The occurrence of E. coli isolates harboring virulence and antibiotic-resistance genes in turkey carcasses underscores serious public health risks. The significant frequency of MDR E. coli isolates indicates the need for improved monitoring and control measures to reduce contamination throughout the food chain.