Comparative analysis of antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter isolated from broiler chickens, cattle and sheep in Algeria

Among the pathogens associated with antimicrobial resistance, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the major etiological agents of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. This study aimed to explore the frequency of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter isolates among broiler chickens, cattle and sheep in Algeria, conducting a comparative analysis according to animal sources. A total of 138 isolates (96 of C. jejuni and 42 of C. coli) collected from meat samples of broiler chickens, cattle and sheep. The antimicrobial testing was conducted using disk diffusion methods. The findings revealed a high resistance in broiler chickens compared to other animal origins. Specifically, Campylobacter coli isolates from chickens demonstrated a complete resistance (100 %) to quinolones, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and tetracycline, followed by Campylobacter jejuni, which showed resistance to quinolones, fluoroquinolones, and metronidazole (92 %), macrolides (75 %), and beta-lactams (69 %). Bovine C. coli isolates exhibited total resistance to quinolones, along with an increasing resistance to cephalosporins and macrolides. Similarly, ovine C. coli isolates demonstrated significant resistance to both beta-lactams and nitroimidazoles (70 %). Statistical analysis through variance testing, revealed high antibiotic resistance profiles in chickens compared to bovine and ovine isolates (P < 0.05). Bovine and ovine isolates exhibited elevated rate for quinolones and their resistance were less extensive than observed in broiler chickens. The results underscore the importance of considering the origin of isolates when evaluating resistance profiles in order to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance under the one health approach.