A study has been conducted in broiler breeder flocks to assess the frequency of target bacteria, their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to obtain a comprehensive picture of AMR in poultry production. The study reviewed data from the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) and its monitoring of E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
Researchers looked at the pathogens’ resistance to antimicrobials in broiler chickens at the farm level and in slaughter plants. “This study suggests that broiler breeders carry foodborne bacteria resistant to antimicrobials used in human medicine, demonstrating their role in the maintenance of AMR in poultry and the need to adopt a harmonized sector-wide antimicrobial use (AMU) strategy,” according to researchers. In 2014, in response to years of CIPARS’ observations and data from farmers, the Chicken Farmers of Canada implemented a strategy to reduce antimicrobial use.
According to the research published in PLOS , resistance genes can be transmitted from parents to their offspring, thus the study was conducted in broiler breeder flocks to assess the frequency of target bacteria. The research was also designed to provide a comprehensive picture of antimicrobial resistance in poultry. Spent breeder flocks slaughtered between 2018 and 2021 were sampled and data from broiler flocks at farms and slaughter plants were assessed.
Salmonella was most frequently detected in farm broiler chickens at 46 perce.
