title: Antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus spp. isolated from environmental samples in an area of intensive poultry production.
abstract: Enterococcus spp. from two poultry farms and proximate surface and ground water sites in an area of intensive poultry production were tested for resistance to 16 clinical antibiotics. Resistance patterns were compared to assess trends and possible correlations for specific antimicrobials and levels of resistance. Enterococci were detected at all 12 surface water sites and three of 28 ground water sites. Resistance to lincomycin, tetracycline, penicillin and ciprofloxacin in poultry litter isolates was high (80.3%, 65.3%, 61.1% and 49.6%, respectively). Resistance in the surface water to the same antibiotics was 87.1%, 24.1%, 7.6% and 12.9%, respectively. Overall, 86% of litter isolates, 58% of surface water isolates and 100% of ground water isolates were resistant to more than one antibiotic. Fifty-four different resistance patterns were recognised in isolates obtained from litter and environmental samples and several E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates from litter and environment samples shared the same resistance pattern. Multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) indices calculated to assess health risks due to the presence of resistant enterococci suggested an increased presence of antibiotics in surface water, likely from poultry sources as no other wastewater contributions in the area were documented.
authors.affiliation: Environment Canada, Pacific Environment Science Centre, 2645 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1B1, Canada. vesna.furtula@ec.gc.ca
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Furtula
authors.forename: Charlene R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Erin Gwenn
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Lari M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hiott
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011200:Poultry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014873:Water Pollutants