First report of phenotypic and genotypic (blaOXA-61) beta-lactam resistance in Campylobacter jejuni from broilers in Indonesia

Research (Published online: 02-11-2023)

5. First report of phenotypic and genotypic (blaOXA-61) beta-lactam resistance in Campylobacter jejuni from broilers in Indonesia

Sheila Marty Yanestria, Mustofa Helmi Effendi, Wiwiek Tyasningsih, Mariyono Mariyono, and Emmanuel Nnabuike Ugbo

Veterinary World, 16(11): 2210-2216

Sheila Marty Yanestria: Doctoral Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.

Mustofa Helmi Effendi: Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.

Wiwiek Tyasningsih: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.

Mariyono Mariyono: Bacteriology Laboratory, Balai Besar Veteriner Wates, Jl. Yogyakarta-Wates No. Km. 27, Wates, Yogyakarta 55651, Central Java, Indonesia.

Emmanuel Nnabuike Ugbo: Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Enugu - Abakaliki Rd, 481101, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Nigeria.

Background and Aim: Campylobacter is a zoonotic bacterium that is a major source of foodborne diseases. In humans, most cases of campylobacteriosis are caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Poultry is the main reservoir of Campylobacter for humans, because Campylobacter is part of the normal flora of the digestive tract of poultry. Antimicrobial resistance to several antibiotics in Campylobacter isolated from humans and food animals has increased rapidly. Beta-lactam is an antibiotic with a high prevalence of resistance in Campylobacter. This study aimed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic (blaOXA-61) beta-lactam resistance in C. jejuni from broilers in Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 samples of broiler intestinal contents were obtained from 10 broiler farms in Pasuruan Regency, Indonesia. Campylobacter jejuni was identified using conventional and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Phenotypic detection of beta-lactam resistance was performed using an antimicrobial susceptibility test with antibiotic disks of aztreonam, ampicillin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Genotypic detection by PCR was performed using the blaOXA-61 gene, which encodes beta-lactamase.

Results: Campylobacter jejuni was identified in 23% of the samples. Phenotypically, 100% (23/23) and 73.9% (17/23) C. jejuni isolates had high resistance to aztreonam and ampicillin, respectively, but all isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid. Genotypically, all isolates carried blaOXA-61, indicated by the presence of a 372-bp PCR product.

Conclusion: Campylobacter jejuni is highly resistant to beta-lactams and is a serious threat to human health. Resistance to beta-lactams should be monitored because beta-lactamase genes can be transferred between bacteria. Public awareness must also be increased on the importance of using antibiotics rationally in humans and animals.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, beta-lactam, blaOXA-61, Campylobacter jejuni, human health.