Background and Goals
This study aimed to examine the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of fecal Escherichia coli isolates from newly weaned calves upon arrival at an auction market. Understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing the potential risks of AMR transmission in livestock populations.
Materials and Methods
Fecal samples were collected from 100 newly weaned calves at an auction market. Isolates of E. coli were cultured and tested for susceptibility to 12 commonly used antibiotics using standard disk diffusion methods. Data were analyzed to determine resistance profiles and potential risk factors.
Results
A significant proportion of E. coli isolates exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics, including tetracycline, ampicillin, and sulfamethoxazole. Factors such as previous antibiotic treatment history and transportation stress were associated with higher resistance rates.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the need for stringent antimicrobial stewardship practices in livestock management, particularly during the weaning process, to mitigate the spread of AMR.
Keywords
Antimicrobial Resistance, Escherichia coli, Newly Weaned Calves, Auction Market, Antibiotic Stewardship
References
- Meijs, J. A., et al. (2021). Antimicrobial resistance in generic fecal Escherichia coli obtained from newly weaned calves at an auction market. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 76(6), 1565–1572. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkab073
Copyright
This case study is adapted from the article “Antimicrobial resistance in generic fecal Escherichia coli obtained from newly weaned calves at an auction market” published in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2021). The original work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
Disclaimer
This lesson paraphrases and adapts content from the original research by Meijs et al. (2021). All rights to the original publication remain with the authors and journal. This material is intended solely for educational and teaching purposes. Any commercial use or reproduction of the original work without permission is prohibited. You can view the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkab073
