RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To detect the presence of the ermB gene associated with macrolide resistance in Campylobacter spp. strains isolated from chickens marketed in Lima, Peru. METHODS: 120 samples of chicken skin from three markets in the districts of San Martin de Porres (n = 30), Santa Anita (n = 20), and Independencia (n = 70), located in the Province of Lima, Peru, were analyzed. Microbiological analysis of the samples was carried out according to ISO standard 10272-1:2017. For the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation of genus and species, 16-rRNA and GlyA and hipO primers, respectively, were used. For the evaluation of antibiotic sensitivity, the Müller-Hinton agar with 5% blood, with sensi-discs for azithromycin (15 µg) and erythromycin (15 µg), was used. For detection of the ermB gene in strains with resistant phenotypes, conventional PCR was used. RESULTS: A total of 117 positive samples (97.5%) were obtained; of these, 100% were compatible with Campylobacter coli (negative hippurate test) and confirmed by PCR. The plate-based assessment of antibiotic resistance to azithromycin and erythromycin resulted in 100% of strains with a phenotype that is resistant to these macrolides, while the PCR to detect the ermB gene indicated a total of 62 positives (53%), which were confirmed through sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the chicken carcasses sold in markets in Lima present contamination by C. coli with high resistance to macrolides, which can be attributed to the presence of the ermB gene.
OBJETIVO: Detectar a presença do gene ermB associado à resistência a macrolídeos em cepas de Campylobacter spp. isoladas de frangos comercializados em Lima, no Peru. MÉTODOS: Analisamos 120 amostras de pele de frango provenientes de três mercados nos distritos de San Martín de Porres (n=30), Santa Anita (n=20) e Independencia (n=70), situados na Província de Lima, no Peru. Realizamos uma análise microbiológica das amostras de acordo com as recomendações da norma ISO 10272-1:2017. Para a confirmação do gênero e espécie por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), utilizamos os primers 16-rRNA, GlyA e hypO. Para avaliar a sensibilidade antimicrobiana, utilizamos ágar de Müller-Hinton-sangue a 5% com discos de sensibilidade de azitromicina (15 µg) e eritromicina (15 µg). A detecção do gene ermB em cepas com fenótipos resistentes foi feita por PCR convencional. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos um total de 117 amostras positivas (97,5%), das quais 100% foram compatíveis com Campylobacter coli (teste do hipurato negativo) e confirmadas por PCR. Na avaliação da resistência antimicrobiana em placa para azitromicina e eritromicina, 100% das cepas apresentaram fenótipo de resistência a estes macrolídeos, enquanto a PCR para a detecção do gene ermB indicou um total de 62 cepas positivas (53%), que foram confirmadas por sequenciamento. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados demonstram que as carcaças de frango comercializadas nos mercados de Lima apresentam contaminação por C. coli com alta resistência a macrolídeos, o que pode ser atribuído à presença do gene ermB.
RESUMO
Background: In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence, tetracycline resistance and presence of Tet(O) in Campylobacter strains isolated from chicken in markets of Lima, Peru. Methods: A total of 250 chicken samples were obtained from traditional markets (skin, n = 120) and supermarkets (meat, n = 130). Samples were subjected to microbiological assays for identification of Campylobacter spp. according to ISO 10272-2017, and the isolates were then submitted to species identification by PCR. Phenotypic resistance to tetracyclines was assessed by the Kirby−Bauer test, and the presence of the Tet(O) gene was determined by PCR. Results: A significantly higher prevalence (p < 0.0001) of Campylobacter coli in skin samples from traditional markets (97.5%) than in meat samples from supermarkets (36.2%) was observed. On the other hand, Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed only in 3.1% of meat samples. All Campylobacter species isolated from skin and meat samples were phenotypically resistant to tetracyclines; however, the presence of the Tet(O) gene in C. coli was identified in 76.9% and 66.0% of skin and meat samples, no significant statistical difference (p = 0.1488) was found between these prevalence. All C. jejuni isolated from chicken meat samples from supermarkets were positive for Tet(O) gene. Conclusions: This study confirms the high prevalence of C. coli isolated from chicken sold in traditional markets and supermarkets in Lima, Peru, and in more than 70% of these strains, phenotypic resistance to tetracyclines could be linked with expression of the Tet(O) gene. It is necessary to evaluate other genes involved in resistance to tetracyclines and other groups of antibiotics in campylobacter strains isolated from chicken meat.