AUTHOR=Paintsil Ellis Kobina , Ofori Linda Aurelia , Akenten Charity Wiafe , Zautner Andreas E. , Mbwana Joyce , Jaeger Anna , Lamshöft Maike , May Jürgen , Obiri-Danso Kwasi , Philipps Richard Odame , Krumkamp Ralf , Dekker Denise 

TITLE=Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni in commercial and smallholder farm animals in the Asante Akim North Municipality of Ghana

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.983047

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.983047

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Worldwide, farm animals, in particular poultry, are an important reservoir for <italic>Campylobacter</italic> spp. However, information on <italic>Campylobacter</italic> colonization in farm animals in Africa is scarce. Hence, this cross-sectional study determined antibiotic-resistant <italic>Campylobacter</italic> from both commercial and smallholder farm animals in the Asante Akim North Municipality of Ghana. Fecal samples from poultry and livestock kept by commercial and smallholder farms were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The overall <italic>Campylobacter</italic> frequency was 20.3% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 322/1,585), and frequencies detected were similarly high in isolates from commercial (21.0%, <italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 169/805) and smallholder (19.6%, <italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 153/780) farms. Species isolated were <italic>C</italic>. <italic>coli</italic> (67.7%, <italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 218/322) and <italic>C</italic>. <italic>jejuni</italic> (32.3%, <italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 104/322). However, the frequency of <italic>C</italic>. <italic>coli</italic> was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.8–2.5) times higher than what was found for <italic>C</italic>. <italic>jejuni</italic>. <italic>Campylobacter</italic> frequencies in the rainy season was 22.2% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 258/1,160) and 15.1% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 64/425) in the dry season (prevalence ratio = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.2–1.9). About 1.7% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 6/322) of the <italic>Campylobacter</italic> isolates, all from smallholder farms, were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Multidrug resistance was observed for 4.7% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 15/322) of the <italic>Campylobacter</italic> isolates, of which 93.3% (<italic>n</italic>/<italic>N</italic> = 14/15) occurred in isolates from commercial farms. This study highlights the need for the implementation of control programs, in commercial farming but also at the smallholder farm level, to formulate clear guidelines aimed at decreasing <italic>Campylobacter</italic> contamination of meat products and reducing the use of antibiotics in the farming sector.</p>