Title : Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella enterica isolated from ruminants and risk for public health in Cameroon, March-August 2023

Abstract:

Introduction/Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) integrated surveillance approach is helpful to understand the drivers and complexity of AMR at the human-animal-plant and environmental interface, and to guide policy and decision making for better mitigation of the risk on public health. In several developing countries, studies on AMR from food animals are rare and there is a growing need of evidence for the burden of foodborne AMR, given the increasing demand in animal proteins. This study was initiated to assess the prevalence and resistance profile of food poisoning bacteria isolated in domestic ruminants in Cameroon as a contribution to understand the transmission patterns of AMR from animal to human.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in major ruminants’ slaughterhouses of their main production areas. Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella enterica strains were isolated from cecal content, and their susceptibility was tested against 12 antimicrobial agents using the disk diffusion method. Pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were conducted according to international standards.

Results: Of the 500 cecal content samples randomly collected, 03 (0.6%) were tested positive for Escherichia coli O157 and 09 (1.8%) for Salmonella enterica. The resistance profile E. coli O157 isolates varied between 67% and 100% to HPCIA. Salmonella enterica isolates (n = 9) also showed resistance of 57% to HPCIA, 50% to 100% to CIA (Aminoglycosides) and HIA (Penicillin). A multidrug prevalence of 66,6% (for E. coli O157) and 85,8% (for Salmonella enterica) was observed to fluoroquinolones and 3rd generation cephalosporins used as second line treatment in community, hospital settings and animal health.

Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance of AMR for better mitigation of the risk on public health. More attention should be paid while preparing meat in slaughterhouses to reduce the risk of AMR bacteria transmission from meat to humans.

Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella enterica, ruminants, public health.

Biography:

Dr. Ranyl Nguena is a distinguished Veterinarian and Epidemiologist at the National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET) in Cameroon, with over 7 years of expertise in Global Health Security. As a P4-level consultant for WHO and FAO, he specializes in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance, utilizing tools like FAO-ATLASS and PMP-AMR. His work focuses on integrating One Health frameworks into national policies to combat transboundary zoonoses. An early career researcher with 9 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Nguena is dedicated to strengthening diagnostic capacities and advancing molecular epidemiology in Sub-Saharan Africa.