Suchergebnisse

In human medicine, carbapenems are one of the last treatment options for serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria [1]. Therefore, the increasing number of reports describing carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are worrying. In the past six years, it has become obvious that the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing bacteria is no longer limited to clinical settings. Increasing numbers of carbapenemase-producing bacteria have been isolated from the environment, wild birds and companion and food- producing animals all over the world [2]. Although the use of carbapenems is prohibited in food-producing animals and restricted for pets in most European countries, these findings illustrate the continuous spread of these highly resistant bacteria accompanied by emerging public health problems. In 2011, the first VIM-1 producing Salmonella Infantis and Escherichia coli were isolated in German fattening farms for pigs and chickens [3,4]. European Union legislation implemented monitoring of carbapenem-resistance in Salmonella and E. coli in food-producing animals (chickens, turkeys, pigs and cattle) and the derived meat samples [5]. Similarly structured resistance surveillance programmes, targeting bacterial isolates derived from food-producing animals and retail meat, are in place globally [6]. Vegetables, fruits or seafood are frequently consumed raw and thus may become a source of antimicrobial resistant bacteria, including carbapenemase-producing microorganisms [6-8]. Microbial contamination of the environment with faecal bacteria is an important route of transmission. For example, bacteria in river water may move on to seas and oceans [9]. Therefore, seafood harvested from contaminated regions serves as a vehicle for the transmission of these bacteria [10]. On the other hand, aquaculture is a fast-growing food production sector [11]. To prevent bacterial infections in the farmed fish, intensive aquaculture is often accompanied by increased use of a wide range of chemotherapeutic ...

Abstract

Objectives
Slaughterhouse staff is occupationally exposed to antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Studies reported high antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) abundances in slaughter pigs. This cross-sectional study investigated occupational exposure to tetracycline (tetW) and macrolide (ermB) resistance genes and assessed determinants for faecal tetW and ermB carriage among pig slaughterhouse workers.


Methods
During 2015–2016, 483 faecal samples and personal questionnaires were collected from workers in a Dutch pig abattoir, together with 60 pig faecal samples. Human dermal and respiratory exposure was assessed by examining 198 carcass, 326 gloves, and 33 air samples along the line, next to 198 packed pork chops to indicate potential consumer exposure. Samples were analyzed by qPCR (tetW, ermB). A job exposure matrix was created by calculating the percentage of tetW and ermB positive carcasses or gloves for each job position. Multiple linear regression models were used to link exposure to tetW and ermB carriage.


Results
Workers are exposed to tetracycline and macrolide resistance genes along the slaughter line. Tetw and ermB gradients were found for carcasses, gloves, and air filters. One packed pork chop contained tetW, ermB was non-detectable. Human faecal tetW and ermB concentrations were lower than in pig faeces. Associations were found between occupational tetW exposure and human faecal tetW carriage, yet, not after model adjustments. Sampling round, nationality, and smoking were determinants for ARG carriage.


Conclusion
We demonstrated clear environmental tetracycline and macrolide resistance gene exposure gradients along the slaughter line. No robust link was found between ARG exposure and human faecal ARG carriage.