title: Farm-level risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. on finisher pig farms.
abstract: Logistic regression, supported by other statistical analyses was used to explore the possible association of risk factors with the fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistance status of 108 pig finisher farms in Great Britain. The farms were classified as 'affected' or 'not affected' by FQ-resistant E. coli or Campylobacter spp. on the basis of isolation of organisms from faecal samples on media containing 1 mg/l FQ. The use of FQ was the most important factor associated with finding resistant E. coli and/or Campylobacter, which were found on 79% (FQ-resistant E. coli) and 86% (FQ-resistant Campylobacter) of farms with a history of FQ use. However, resistant bacteria were also found on 19% (FQ-resistant E. coli) and 54% (FQ-resistant Campylobacter) of farms with no history of FQ use. For FQ-resistant E. coli, biosecurity measures may be protective and there was strong seasonal variation, with more farms found affected when sampled in the summer. For FQ-resistant Campylobacter, the buying-in of grower stock may increase risk and good on-farm hygiene may be protective. The findings suggest that resistant organisms, particularly Campylobacter, may spread between pig farms.
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK. n.m.taylor@reading.ac.uk
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Clifton-Hadley
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Wales
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ridley
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000635:transmission; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000635:transmission; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D034421:Sus scrofa; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D024841:Fluoroquinolones