Correlation between the use of Antimicrobials and the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Poultry and Pig Farms

Abstract

Antimicrobials are valuable therapeutics whose efficacy is seriously compromised by the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. A survey was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the use of antimicrobials in animal production and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant organisms. The survey was conducted between November, 2012 to May 2013 using structured questionnaires. Responses to the questionnaires were analyzed using linear regression and correlation variables. Results showed that correlation between the use of antimicrobials and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria were both positive and negative on one hand and significant and non- significant on the other hand at 0.01 and 0.05 in both poultry and pig farms. Escherichia coli isolates had a negative (-0.20) non significant (P>0.050) correlation with increase in dosage of antimicrobial given. Negative, non-significant (P>0.05) correlations were found between dosage of antimicrobials given and number of Enterococcus isolates (-0.19). In Table 2, the correlations between the variables were almost positive except between dosage of antimicrobials given and number of Enterococcus isolates where there was no correlation. Results from linear showed that farm size and level of education were significant at 5% and 10% in poultry and pig farms respectively. The results of this study suggest that the amounts and patterns of antimicrobials used in food animals is the major determinant for the propagation of resistant bacteria in the animal reservoir. However, further studies are needed for other determinants that may play a part in the propagation of resistant bacteria in animal reservoir.