Research on 864 samples from Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills identifies multidrug-resistant strains of a food-borne pathogen
SHILLONG, Oct 20: A study examining poultry and pork supply chains in Meghalaya has detected a food-borne bacterium in chicken intestines, pork and chicken meat, with tests revealing resistance to several commonly used antibiotics.
The study, published in Applied Food Research, found that 27 of 864 samples tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. Researchers also found multidrug resistance in nearly one-third of the isolates tested, raising concerns about food safety and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria along the food supply chain.
The research was conducted by scientists from the ICAR Research Complex for the North Eastern Hill Region in Umiam, the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh, and the College of Agriculture under Central Agricultural University at Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya.
The team collected samples from farms, slaughter units and retail meat shops in Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills districts to investigate the presence of the pathogen and track its genetic characteristics across poultry and pig value chains.
Of the 864 samples, 14 out of 144 chicken intestine samples tested positive, giving an isolation rate of 9.72%. Pork samples recorded a positivity rate of 7.64%, with 11 out of 144 samples testing positive. Two of the 144 chicken meat samples were positive, representing 1.39%.
The bacterium was not isolated from the poultry cloacal swabs, pig intestinal samples or pig rectal swabs examined during the study.
Resistance to antibiotics raises concern
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 26 isolates revealed the highest resistance to nalidixic acid and tetracycline, at 73.08% each. Resistance to ampicillin was recorded in 42.31% of the isolates, while 19.23% showed resistance to ciprofloxacin.
Eight of the 26 isolates, or 30.77%, were classified as multidrug-resistant, meaning they were resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics.
Researchers also found that 14 of the 26 isolates had the ability to form biofilms. These bacterial communities can help microorganisms survive under unfavourable environmental conditions and may complicate efforts to control contamination on food-contact surfaces.
The findings are significant because C. jejuni can spread to humans through contaminated food and water. Infection can cause diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort and fever, while some cases may lead to more serious complications.
Genetic analysis identifies potentially harmful strains
The researchers sequenced 25 bacterial genomes to examine genetic features associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence.
The analysis identified the T86I mutation in the gyrA gene, associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, in 88% of the sequenced genomes. Genes linked to resistance to tetracycline and other antibiotics were also detected.
The isolates showed genetic diversity, although one sequence type, ST10709, belonging to the ST353 clonal complex, was predominant among the genomes examined.
The researchers said the study was, to their knowledge, the first genomic epidemiological analysis of pig-origin C. jejuni in India. They highlighted the importance of examining pork alongside poultry products, as the role of pig-derived strains in food-borne transmission has received comparatively less attention.
Researchers call for farm-to-fork surveillance
The study highlights the need to strengthen food safety monitoring beyond farms and into slaughtering, meat handling and retailing. Contamination can occur at different stages of the supply chain, making hygiene and appropriate handling important parts of prevention.
The researchers called for a coordinated One Health surveillance framework, bringing together human health, animal health and food safety monitoring to track the pathogen and reduce transmission from farm to fork.
However, the findings should not be interpreted as a statewide estimate of contamination. The study was exploratory, used convenience sampling and was restricted to two Meghalaya districts. Further surveillance across more locations and stages of the food chain would be needed to establish the wider extent of the problem.
The research nevertheless provides a genomic baseline for monitoring C. jejuni in the region and points to the need for closer attention to antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals and meat products.
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