Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes in ducks: a review

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2012 Jun;9(6):498-505. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2011.1109. Epub 2012 May 9.

Abstract

Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes are important bacterial pathogens associated with gastroenteritis. The consumption of poultry meat and their products is considered as a major and leading source of human infection. While surveys of chicken meat and products, and its association with foodborne pathogens are widely available, such information on ducks is scarce. This survey examines the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes isolated from ducks. Data obtained from key surveys are summarized. The observed prevalence of these pathogens and their resistance to various antibiotics varies from one study to the other. The mean prevalence (and range means from individual surveys) are duck 53.0% (0.0-83.3%), duck meat and parts 31.6% (12.5-45.8%), and duck rearing and processing environment 94.4% (92.0-96.7%) for Campylobacter spp. For Salmonella spp., the mean prevalence data are duck 19.9% (3.3-56.9%), duck meat and parts 28.4% (4.4-75.6%), duck egg, shell, and content 17.5% (0-4.17%), and duck rearing and processing environment 32.5% (10.5-82.6%). Studies on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of L. monocytogenes in ducks are by far very rare compared to Campylobacter and Salmonella, although ducks have been noted to be a potential source for these foodborne pathogens. From our survey, ducks were more frequently contaminated with Campylobacter than Salmonella. Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. also exhibited varying resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Campylobacter / drug effects*
  • Campylobacter / isolation & purification
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Ducks / microbiology*
  • Foodborne Diseases / drug therapy
  • Foodborne Diseases / microbiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / prevention & control
  • Listeria monocytogenes / drug effects*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification
  • Meat / microbiology*
  • Salmonella / drug effects*
  • Salmonella / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents