Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus isolates from retail meat in Lower Silesia region, Poland

Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus are considered potential foodborne pathogens. Consumption of Arcobacter-contaminated food is regarded the most likely source of human poisoning. We investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Arcobacter isolates in 210 retail meat samples. Seventy-nine Arcobacter butzleri and 6 Arcobacter cryaerophilus were isolated from pork, beef and chicken meat. Incidence of Arcobacter butzleri was found to be the highest in chicken meat (83%). Less of Arcobacter butzleri was isolated from beef (16%) and pork (14%). Most of the Arcobacter butzleri isolates were resistant to beta-lactams, like ampicillin (85%), amoxicillin with clavulonic acid (63%), cefotaxime (66%) and macrolides, i.e., erythromycin (62%). In contrast, all except one Arcobacter cryaerophilus isolates were susceptible to erythromycin. Tetracycline and aminoglycosides showed the highest efficacy against Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus since almost 80% of their population was susceptible to these agents. All, except one Arcobacter cryaerophilus and the majority of Arcobactoer butzleri isolates (70%) were susceptible to fluoroquinolones. The incidence of multiresistant isolates was found in forty two (53%) Arcobacter butzleri, and one (16%) Arcobacter cryaerophilus isolates. Eight Arcobacter butzleri isolates were resistant to all antimicrobials tested. These results indicate significant incidence of potential foodborne zoonotic agents, i.e. Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus including multiresistant isolates in retail meat in Poland.