Prevalence, Characterization, and Proteomic Relatedness Among β-Lactam-Resistant Bacteria Throughout the Poultry Production Chain in Greece

Overview

Journal Foods

Date 2025 Jan 25

PMID 39856891

Authors

Anestis Tsitsos

Alexandros Damianos

Konstantinos Kiskinis

Vasilios Tsiouris

Ilias Tirodimos

Nikolaos Soultos

Anna Papa

Vangelis Economou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing , and spp. are associated with hospital-acquired infections and are commonly isolated across the poultry food production chain. Comprehensive data regarding the prevalence, spatiotemporal variations, and characterization of β-lactam-resistant bacteria in poultry farms and slaughterhouses is scarce. This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of β-lactam-resistant , , and spp. isolated from poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and associated personnel in Greece. Strains were selectively isolated and identified via MALDI-TOF MS, which was also employed to identify possible relatedness. isolates were further classified into phylogenetic groups. The prevalence of β-lactam-resistant strains in farm and slaughterhouse environments was 15.0% (n = 15 strains)/57.3% (n = 71 strains) for , 11.0% (n = 11 strains)/1.6% (n = 2 strains) for , and 1.0% (n = 1 strain)/25.8% (n = 38 strains) for spp., respectively. The prevalence of spp. and on farmers' skin was 16.7% (n = 2 strains) and 8.3% (n = 1 strain), correspondingly. Significantly higher isolation rates were observed in warmer seasons. All strains were multidrug-resistant and most carried ESBL/AmpC genes. Most isolates belonged to phylogroups A (41.4%, n = 36) and B1 (24.1%, n = 21). Proteomic analysis indicated relatedness among strains from different regions and seasons. Thus, poultry farms and slaughterhouses may serve as significant reservoirs of β-lactam-resistant strains of , , and spp.

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