Abstract

TRACKING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN FARM ANIMALS: FOCUS ON BOVINE ENTEROBACTERIACEAE IN THE NDÉ DIVISION, WEST CAMEROON

Fride Ursula Zegang Tchapda, Pierre René Fotsing Kwetché*, Roland Nankam Chimi, Pascal Blaise Well à Well à Koul, O’Neal Dorsel Youté, Christelle Ntougue Defo, Clément Ngandjui Yonga, Prudence Armelle Kouengoua Kouengoua and Théodore Alogninouwa

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is a major public health concern in all nations across the globe and, in animal husbandry its occurrence seems to be directly related to the use of antimicrobial agents for several purposes. To better address the issue of antibacterial resistance in farming, an experimental study was conducted in 7 farms of the Ndé Division (West Cameroon). It aimed at exploring the antibiotics used and the resistance profiles of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract of bovines. Feces specimens were collected in each farm subsequent to fulfillment of official and ethical requirements and questionnaire filling. The collected specimens were subjected to microbiological analyses according to standard protocols (REMIC 2018 and CASFM veterinary 2018). Data analysis revealed that, themajority of farmers self-medicated and that few farms (30.8%) use antibiotics, mainly cyclins, cephalosporins, penicillins and quinolones. They also had little knowledge about antibiotic resistance and its impact in humans. In total, 123 specimens were collected from which 231 bacterial isolates were recovered. The most common isolates were E. coli (68%), Serratia (11%) and Morganella (08%). A focus on the bacterial-antibiotic relationship disclosed globally high susceptible trend (above 50%) for the majority of antibiotics. Though yet to fully addressed, these high susceptibility rates were likely associated with the restricted use of antimicrobials in general, the non-use of antibiotics in animal feeds and drinking water, and the educational background of farmers. This high trend should be maintained sustainably through appropriate monitoring mechanisms for robust interventions. To meet this goal, the learning potential of farmers should be nurtured by state authorities through implementation of the “One Health” principles for sustainable performance in the long run, owing to the lower resistance rates recorded.

Keywords: Bacteria, antibiotic resistance profile, bovine, Ndé division.