A decline in the occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in retail chicken meat in the UK between 2013 and 2018

Aims The aim of this study was to report on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR)Escherichia colifrom retail chicken meat samples in the UK, with particular focus on AmpC and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and carbapenem resistance. Methods and Results Methods from EU protocols were used for selective isolation of AmpC-/ESBL-producing E. coli, carbapenem-resistantE. coliand for performing minimum inhibitory concentrations. Additional work not part of EU protocols included viable counts, detection by PCR ofbla(CTX-M),bla(OXA,)bla(SHV)andbla(TEM)genes in ESBL-phenotypeE. coliand screening formcrplasmid-mediated colistin resistance. From the 313/309 retail chicken meat samples tested in 2016/2018, carbapenem ormcrplasmid-mediated colistin-resistantE. coliwere not detected. For 2016/2018 chicken samples, 141/42 (45 center dot 0%/13 center dot 6%), 90/23 (28 center dot 8%/7 center dot 4%), 48/16 (15 center dot 3%/5 center dot 2%) and 3/3 (1 center dot 0%/1 center dot 0%) were positive for ESBL- and/or AmpC-, ESBL- alone AmpC- alone and AmpC+ESBL-phenotypeE. colirespectively. ESBL-producing E. coli were predominantlybla(CTX-M-1). All AmpC and/or ESBL-phenotypeE. coliwere sensitive to colistin, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, temocillin and tigecycline, applying epidemiological cut-off values. Conclusions A previous study in 2013/14 showed that 65 center dot 4% of retail chicken meat samples tested in the UK were positive for ESBL-producing (mainly CTX-M)E. coli. Since then the proportion of samples positive in the UK has dropped significantly to 7 center dot 4% in 2018. Significance and Impact of the Study Significant reductions in antimicrobials used in the UK poultry meat sector between 2012 and 2016 may be linked to significant reductions in AmpC/ESBL-phenotypeE. coliin retail chicken between 2013/14 and 2018.

Automated summary

This study aimed to report on the presence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in retail chicken meat samples in the UK, focusing on AmpC, ESBL production, and carbapenem resistance. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of ESBL- and/or AmpC-positive samples in retail chicken meat in the UK from 2013/14 to 2018, possibly linked to reductions in antimicrobials used in the poultry meat sector.