Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus spp from Chicken, Litter and Humans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: In veterinary medicine, three Staphylococcus species are of particular importance as a primary cause of specific diseases; S. aureus (mastitis in ruminants, equine botryomycosis and bumble foot in poultry), S. hycus (porcine exudative epidermitis) and S. intermedius (canine pyoderma). The disease conditions caused by Staphylococcus in poultry vary with the site, the route and predisposing factors include wounds as a result of fighting/cannibalism, immunosuppression based on virus infections or parasite infestations, and bad husbandry conditions (overcrowding). Besides their role as colonizer or pathogen in different hosts, Staphylococcus, which colonizes food-producing animals, can contaminate carcasses during slaughter and play a role as contaminant in the subsequent manufacturing process in food of animal origin, such as pork, beef, veal, milk, poultry meat or poultry meat products Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on apparently healthy chicken, farm personnel and litter at chicken farms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 2015 to May 2015. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify Staphylococcus spp from chicken, litter and personnel at chicken farm; and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates. A total of 222 samples consisting of 101 cloacal swabs, 90 tracheal swabs, 17 pooled litter swabs, 7 nasal swabs and 7 pooled hands and boot swabs were collected from six farms and examined for the presence of Staphylococcus species and antimicrobial resistance against 10 antimicrobial agents following recommended standard procedures. Results: The result showed that the overall proportion of Staphylococcus was 64/222 (28.83%). Of the isolates 40/64 (62.5%), 11/64 (17.2%), 3/64 (4.7%) and 10/64 (15.6%), were S. aureus, S. hycus, S. intermedius and CNS, respectively. Only one isolate of S. aureus was susceptible to all antimicrobials tested Of the 10 antibiotics tested, Penicillin G showed the highest (96.9%) resistance followed by Tetracycline (78.1%), Amoxicillin and Erythromycin at the same level (65.6%). Conversely, Ciprofloxacin showed the highest susceptibility (95.3%) followed by Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (85.9%). Out of 64 isolates, 61/64 (95.3%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials tested. Of the isolates, 38/40 (95%) S. aureus, 10/11 (90.9%) S. hycus, 3/3 (100%) S. intermedius and 10/10(100%) CNS showed multi drug resistance (to three or more antimicrobials). Conclusion: This study showed considerable proportion of Staphylococcus spp in chicken, litter and farm workers with a potential source of resistant Staphylococcus species more importantly multi drug resistance strains. Further study on molecular characterization of the isolates will be essential to identify the resistant genes and establish epidemiological link in the transmission dynamics of resistant Staphylococcus species between poultry and humans.