Prevalence and risk factors contributing to antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from poultry meat products in South Africa, 2015–2016

Authors

  • Vashnee Govender University of Pretoria
  • Evelyn Madoroba Onderstepoort
  • Kudakwashe Magwedere Directorate of Veterinary Public Health
  • Geoffrey Fosgate University of Pretoria
  • Lazarus Kuonza National Institute for Communicable Diseases

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains, has been detected in food products of animal origin globally. Limited data have been reported on the factors contributing to antibiotic resistance of food-borne pathogens in South Africa. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains, in poultry meat products as well as the evaluation of potential risk factors for contamination of poultry meat products with antibiotic-resistant S. aureus isolates. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted in municipalities located across the nine provinces of South Africa, which included abattoirs, meat processing facilities, retail outlets and cold stores at the major ports of entry into South Africa. Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from various poultry meat products were tested for susceptibility to 14 antibiotic compounds representing 10 antibiotic classes using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Potential risk factors were evaluated using a logistic regression model. Of the 311 samples tested, 34.1% (n = 106) were positive for S. aureus (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.9% – 39.7%). Seventy-two of the 106 isolates were randomly selected for antibiotic sensitivity testing. Twenty-one per cent (n = 15) of the isolates selected for sensitivity testing were methicillin-resistant strains (95% CI, 12.2% – 32.0%). Multi-drug
resistance was detected in 22.2% (n = 16) of these isolates tested (95% CI, 13.3% – 33.6%). Origin of the product (p = 0.160), type of meat product (p = 0.962), type of facility (p = 0.115) and facility hygiene practices (p = 0.484) were not significantly associated with contamination of poultry meat products with methicillin-resistant strains. The study provides baseline data for further studies on antibiotic resistance risk assessments for food-borne pathogens, including S. aureus, which should guide the implementation plans of the South African National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy Framework, 2017–2024.
Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; antimicrobial resistance; poultry; meat safety; MRSA;
methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

Author Biographies

  • Vashnee Govender, University of Pretoria

    School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria,
    South Africa and South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham Johannesburg, South Africa and Department of Agriculture,
    Forestry and Fisheries, Directorate of Veterinary Public Health, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Evelyn Madoroba, Onderstepoort

    Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Feed and Food Analysis Laboratory, Agricultural Research Council,
    Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Kudakwashe Magwedere, Directorate of Veterinary Public Health

    Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Directorate of Veterinary Public Health, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Geoffrey Fosgate, University of Pretoria

    Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Lazarus Kuonza, National Institute for Communicable Diseases

    South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham Johannesburg, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Vol. 90 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Original Research