Population dynamics of enteric Salmonella in response to antimicrobial use in beef feedlot cattle

Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 30;7(1):14310. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14751-9.

Abstract

A randomized controlled longitudinal field trial was undertaken to assess the effects of injectable ceftiofur crystalline-free acid (CCFA) versus in-feed chlortetracycline on the temporal dynamics of Salmonella enterica spp. enterica in feedlot cattle. Two replicates of 8 pens (total 176 steers) received one of 4 different regimens. All, or one, out of 11 steers were treated with CCFA on day 0 in 8 pens, with half of the pens later receiving three 5-day regimens of chlortetracycline from day 4 to day 20. Salmonella was isolated from faecal samples and antimicrobial susceptibility was analysed via microbroth dilution. Serotype was determined by whole-genome sequencing. On day 0, mean Salmonella prevalence was 75.0% and the vast majority of isolates were pansusceptible. Both antimicrobials reduced overall prevalence of Salmonella; however, these treatments increased the proportion of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella from day 4 through day 26, which was the last day of faecal collection. Only six Salmonella serotypes were detected. Salmonella serotype Reading isolates were extensively MDR, suggesting a strong association between serotype and resistance. Our study demonstrates that the selection pressures of a 3rd generation cephalosporin and chlortetracycline during the feeding period contribute to dynamic population shifts between antimicrobial susceptible and resistant Salmonella.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cattle
  • Cephalosporins / pharmacology*
  • Chlortetracycline / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Red Meat / microbiology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / drug therapy
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / prevention & control*
  • Salmonella enterica / drug effects*
  • Salmonella enterica / genetics
  • Salmonella enterica / isolation & purification
  • Selection, Genetic / drug effects
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • ceftiofur
  • Chlortetracycline