Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Zoonotic Multidrug-resistant Campylobacter coli in Piggery Effluents from Abakaliki, Nigeria
Christiana Inuaesiet Edemekong
Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria and Department of Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Fredrick Ugadu Ali
Department of Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Akunna Perpertua Emeruwa
Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, David Umahi Federal University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ejike Alagba
Department of Physiology, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
Awoke Obinna Okpaga
Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Maria Ezinne Okorie
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
Ikemesit Udeme Peter *
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Campylobacter coli is a major foodborne pathogen commonly associated with swine and poses significant public health risks through contaminated pork and environmental exposure. This study assessed the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance profiles and seasonal dynamics of C. coli isolated from piggery effluents in Abakaliki, Nigeria, during the dry and rainy seasons.
Methods: A total of 60 piggery effluent samples were collected from two intensive pig farms (FARM A and FARM B) during the dry and rainy seasons. Standard microbiological methods, including culture on Campylobacter agar and biochemical identification, were used for isolation and identification. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was calculated.
Results: C. coli was detected only during the rainy season, with isolation rates of 17 (13.3%) at FARM A and 11 (9.4%) at FARM B. All isolates exhibited 100% resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, meropenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and erythromycin. High resistance was also observed to cefotaxime (94.1%), colistin (54.6-76.5%) and ciprofloxacin (63.6%), while all isolates from FARM A remained susceptible to streptomycin. MARI values ranged from 0.68 to 0.90, indicating multidrug resistance.
Conclusion: Piggery effluents harboured multidrug-resistant C. coli showing resistance to critically important antibiotics, including colistin and carbapenems. The seasonal detection pattern suggests that the rainy season may be associated with increased risk of environmental contamination and potential zoonotic transmission. These findings support the need for improved effluent management, antimicrobial stewardship and routine surveillance to reduce the public health risk posed by antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter from pig farming operations.
Keywords: Campylobacter coli, antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance, piggery effluent, zoonotic transmission, season