Prevalence and Resistance Patterns of E. coli and S. aureus in Poultry Processing Environments: Public Health Implications

Aim: Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical, multifaceted global challenge involving human, animal, and environmental sectors. The potential horizontal transfer of resistance genes across these domains, particularly in food production systems such as poultry processing, poses a significant risk to food safety. Contamination of chicken meat with resistant bacteria not only threatens public health but also complicates treatment options for foodborne infections. These factors necessitate robust and integrated surveillance systems to effectively monitor and address evolving resistance patterns in both food products and the broader environment. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance patterns in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from broiler meat and water samples collected from retail broiler shops in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: A total of 100 samples (50 chicken meat and 50 water) were collected. Bacterial isolation was performed using standard microbiological methods, and species identification was confirmed by PCR. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were assessed against commonly used antibiotics Results: The prevalence of E. coli was 26% in chicken meat and 24% in water samples, while S. aureus was detected in 30% of chicken meat and 18% of water samples. E. coli isolates exhibited high resistance to tetracycline, amoxicillin, and co-trimoxazole, whereas S. aureus isolates demonstrated complete resistance to tetracycline, doxycycline, co-trimoxazole, methicillin, and enrofloxacin. Nevertheless, over 75% of E. coli and 50% of S. aureus isolates remained susceptible to gentamicin and amikacin. Notably, all S. aureus and more than 90% of E. coli isolates displayed multidrug resistance, with multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices exceeding 0.2. Conclusion: This study highlights a concerning level of antimicrobial resistance among E. coli and S. aureus in chicken meat and water sample, underscoring the critical need for stringent antibiotic stewardship, comprehensive surveillance, and effective control measures to curb the spread of resistant pathogens via the food chain.