Extended-spectrum β-lactamase, carbapenemase, and the mcr-1 gene: Is there a historical link?

The plasmid mediated mcr-1 gene encoding for Enterobacteriaceae colistin resistance has been recently identified across five continents. The objective of the present study was to trace historical events concerning the discovery and emergence of the mcr-1 gene along with ESBL and carbapenemase genes since several studies have reported identifying mcr-1 genes among Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemase producing Escherichia coli. A retrospective study reported the identification of the mcr-1 gene in E. coli strains isolated in the 1980s, and this seems to correspond to the first identification of ESBL enzymes. The first discovery of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) in 2009 was associated with a significant increase in mcr-1 gene prevalence in E. coli strains obtained from food producing animals. We noticed that a historical link has existed between mcr-1, ESBL and carbapenemase genes since the 1980s, and we believe that the re-evaluation of colistin use in livestock needs an overall approach that includes not only colistin use reduction but also the reduction of all antibiotic use

Field trials to evaluate the efficacy of mash feed to reduce Salmonella shedding in swine

The objective of this study owas to evaluate the effect of corn based mash feed as a preharvest intervetion strategy to reduce shedding in pigs herds contaminated by Salmonella spp. In this study, three nurseries previously found contaminated by Salmonella in successive production cycles were selected to evaluate the effect of mash feed

Identification of plasmids in a Salmonella Typhimurium septicemic isolate without the classical 95 kb virulence plasmid

In this study, we report the characterization of plasmids from a Salmonella Typhimurium strain isolated from a septicemic pig. This isolate did not possess the classical 95 kb plasmid associated with virulence, but contained several low molecular weight plasmids

Evaluation of the impact of functional foods on the course of Salmonella infection in piglets

With the aim to improve growth of weaning piglets and to minimize incidence of intestinal diseases, the effect of a combination of functional foods able to stimulate the development of systemic and mucosal immune system and to modulate bacterial populations in the gut was evaluated. In this study, we assessed the impact of functional foods on the course of Salmonella infection in piglets. Piglets from different litters were weaned at 21 days of age and assigned to 1 of the 4 feed additives (8 litters per treatment) as follow: 1-control (CTRL), 2-antibiotic (ATB), 3-cocktail of functional foods (CFF), 4-bovine colostrum + cocktail of functional foods (COL-CFF)

Post weaning diarrhea in pigs: risk factors and non‑colistin‑based control strategies

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is one of the most serious threats for the swine industry worldwide. It is commonly associated with the proliferation of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the pig intestine. Colistin, a cationic antibiotic, is widely used in swine for the oral treatment of intestinal infections caused by E. coli, and particularly of PWD. However, despite the effectiveness of this antibiotic in the treatment of PWD, several studies have reported high rates of colistin resistant E. coli in swine. Furthermore, this antibiotic is considered of very high importance in humans, being used for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Moreover, the recent discovery of the mcr-1 gene encoding for colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae on a conjugative stable plasmid has raised great concern about the possible loss of colistin effectiveness for the treatment of MDR-GNB in humans. Consequently, it has been proposed that the use of colistin in animal production should be considered as a last resort treatment only. Thus, to overcome the economic losses, which would result from the restriction of use of colistin, especially for prophylactic purposes in PWD control, we believe that an understanding of the factors contributing to the development of this disease and the putting in place of practical alternative strategies for the control of PWD in swine is crucial. Such alternatives should improve animal gut health and reduce economic losses in pigs without promoting bacterial resistance. The present review begins with an overview of risk factors of PWD and an update of colistin use in PWD control worldwide in terms of quantities and microbiological outcomes. Subsequently, alternative strategies to the use of colistin for the control of this disease are described and discussed. Finally, a practical approach for the control of PWD in its various phases is proposed

Identification and distribution of E. coli virulence gene profiles in an operating swine production network

A number of studies have demonstrated a link between the detection of potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli strains and economic loss in the swine industry. E. coli strains belong to different commensal or pathogenic clonal groups, the latter being characterized by the presence of specific virulence genes

Effect of mash feed on swine intestinal microflora and non-specific immune response.

Pelleting of feed was recommended in the past to reduce the risk of introduction of Salmonella in swine herds. However it was shown more recently that consumption of pelleted feed was associated with an increased probability of seropositivity Furthermore, several studies showed that the prevalence of Salmonella is decreased when mash feed is used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mash feed as a pre-harvest intervention strategy to prevent Salmonella colonization, to mod1fy of intestinal microflora and to stimulate of the immune system in swine

Protection of pigs against experimental Salmonella Typhimurium infection by use of a single dose subunit slow delivery vaccine

Infections caused by septicemic strains of Salmonella are significant animal health as well as food safety concerns for the North American swine industry. Among the various strategies to control these infections at the herd level, development of vaccines are attractive alternatives. In this study, based on previous studies of immune response to various protems following natural and experimental infections of pigs by Salmonella, we designed a subunit slow delivery vaccine and tested it in an experimental model of infection. The selected immunogenic protein was cloned and purified by chromatography. The purified protein was then incorporated m PLGA (a polymer that is slowly degraded within the animal\u27s gastro-intestinal system) microspheres and given orally once to groups of pigs (n=8) while control animals (n=8) received only PBS. Animals were challenged orally 4 weeks after the vaccmation with 108 cells of a virulent strains of Salmonella Typhimurium. Animals were examined twice a day and climcal signs evaluated using a predetermined scoring grid. Pigs were sacrificed 12 days later and bacterial cultures of vanous organs, electron microscopy and evaluation of lgA response by ELISA were performed. No significant difference was found at bacteriology and ELISA but marked differences in clinical signs were observed between vaccinated and non vaccinated animals. None of vaccmated animals showed fever exceeding 40°C while it was observed in 5 out of 8 non vaccinated Only one of vaccmated pigs showed mild diarrhea while severe diarrhea was observed in all control animals different sizes of microspheres were observed in intestinal crypts of vaccinated animals at electron microscopy. We concluded that this vaccine can protect pigs against clinical signs associated with experimental infection by Salmonella Typhimunum

Impact of use of Tylosin and Virginiamycin on antimicrobial agents resistance profiles of Enterococcus spp. and E. coli isolates from swine in field conditions

Enterococcus spp. and E. coli are recognized as indicator microorganisms for the human and animal intestinal flora, and are also known to be potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. Among the various use of antimicrobial agents that can promote antibioresistance, on farm use of growth promoters raises public health concerns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of selected growth promoters on antimicrobial resistance profiles of Enterococcus spp. and E. coli isolates from swine in field conditions. Enterococcus and E. coli isolates obtained from pooled fecal samples of pigs receiving Tylosin (44 ppm, n = 100) and Virginiamycin (22 ppm, n=1 00) were compared to isolates obtained from a control group (n = 1 00) fed without growth promoters, in field conditions. Comparison was done between isolates obtatned in the first week of treatment and isolates obtained 1n the 15th week

Survival in water of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from the slaughterhouse

Campylobacter jejuni cause gastroenteritis in humans. The main transmission vector is the consumption or handling of contaminated chicken meat, since chicken can be colonized asymptomatically by C. jejuni. However, water has been implicated as the transmission vector in a few outbreaks. One possibility is the contamination of water effluent by C. jejuni originating from chicken farm. The ability of C. jejuni to be transmitted by water would be closely associated to its ability to survive in water. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated the ability of reference strains and chickenisolated strains to survive in water. Defined water media were used, since the composition of tap water is variable. We showed that some isolates survive better than others in defined freshwater (Fraquil) and that the survival was affected by temperature and the concentration of NaCl. By comparing the ability of C. jejuni to survive in water with other phenotypic properties previously tested, we showed that the ability to survive in water was negatively correlated with autoagglutination. Our data showed that not all chicken isolates have the same ability to survive in water, which is probably due to difference in genetic content