A recent study conducted by the University of Nairobi has uncovered alarming levels of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in chicken meat sold around Nairobi. The findings, published in Veterinary Medicine International, highlight the potential human health risks posed by undercooked or improperly handled chicken meat.
E. coli, a bacterium that naturally resides in the intestines of humans and animals, can cause severe health issues, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and diarrhoea when ingested in contaminated food. The study, led by Tino Deng from the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Nairobi, tested chicken meat from three sources: sick birds brought to veterinary clinics, farm chickens, and chickens sold in Nairobi’s poultry markets.
Widespread Resistance to Critical Antibiotics
The researchers analyzed swabs taken from the anal openings of chicken carcasses and tested the E. coli strains for resistance to eight commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, and streptomycin. The results revealed a stark resistance profile:
- High Resistance Rates: Ampicillin (85.22%), tetracycline (66.7%), co-trimoxazole (57.4%), and streptomycin (40.7%) were among the most commonly resisted antibiotics.
- Moderate to Low Resistance Rates: Resistance to nalidixic acid and chloramphenicol stood at 24.1% and 14.8%, respectively.
- Susceptible Antibiotics: Amoxicillin and gentamicin displayed the lowest resistance rates, with susceptibility levels exceeding 96%.
The study showed that E. coli strains from chickens brought to veterinary clinics exhibited the highest resistance levels, followed by farm-raised chickens and market-sold chickens.
Multidrug Resistance on the Rise
Perhaps the most concerning finding is the prevalence of multidrug resistance among the samples. Over 81% of the isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Specifically, 10 isolates showed resistance to two antibiotics, 15 to three, eight to four, and 10 to five or six different antibiotics.
Ampicillin was the most common drug found in multidrug-resistant combinations, followed by tetracycline and co-trimoxazole. The study attributes this pattern to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock farming, often for growth promotion or as preventative measures.
A Broader Issue
The problem of antibiotic resistance in livestock is not unique to Kenya. Globally, the misuse of antibiotics in intensive farming practices has been a significant contributor to antimicrobial resistance. In Kenya, limited surveillance complicates efforts to understand the full scale of this issue.
“The resistance may have developed as a result of high or indiscriminate usage of the antimicrobials in the area, either on the humans or their animals,” the researchers noted. They also cited environmental contamination, human and animal movement, and improper disposal of medications as potential contributors to resistance.
Implications for Public Health
The presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in chicken meat poses a serious health risk to consumers, particularly those who consume undercooked meat or handle contaminated chicken without proper hygiene. These bacteria can also spread resistance genes to other pathogens, exacerbating the challenge of treating bacterial infections in humans.
The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations on antibiotic use in livestock farming, improved surveillance systems, and increased public awareness about food safety and hygiene practices.
Recommendations
To mitigate the risks associated with antibiotic resistance, the researchers advocate for:
- Regulated Antibiotic Use: Implementing policies to limit the use of critical antibiotics in farming.
- Enhanced Monitoring: Establishing robust surveillance systems to track resistance patterns.
- Public Education: Raising awareness about the importance of cooking chicken thoroughly and maintaining proper hygiene when handling raw meat.
Without immediate action, the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria in the food chain could evolve into a severe public health crisis, threatening the efficacy of antibiotics that are critical to modern medicine.
