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Title of the publicationVoluntary ban on cephalosporin use in Danish pig production has effectively reduced extended-spectrum cephalosporinase-producing Escherichia coli in slaughter pigs
Abstract

Objectives
To measure the effect of a voluntary ban on cephalosporin usage in the Danish pig production on the prevalence of extended-spectrum cephalosporinase (ESC)-producing Escherichia coli in pigs and pork.

Methods
Data on cephalosporin consumption were obtained from the VetStat database. For detection of ESC-producing E. coli, three sampling types were included: at slaughter, caecal samples were collected from pigs in 2009 and 2010 (June) before and in two periods (2010 and 2011) after a voluntary ban on cephalosporins was effected (July 2010); at farm level, pools of five stool samples from different pigsties were collected in 2010 and in 2011; and samples from pork were collected randomly at retail stores and outlets from 2009 to 2011. ESC-producing E. coli was isolated after selective enrichment in MacConkey broth with 1 mg/L ceftriaxone. ESC genes were detected using PCR, microtube array and sequencing.

Results
From July 2010 the consumption of cephalosporins approximated zero. The occurrence of ESC-producing E. coli in pigs at slaughter was not significantly different (P = 0.7) between 2009 [10.8% (85/786)] and 2010 [11.8% (48/407)], but in 2011 the occurrence [3.6% (28/777)] decreased significantly (P < 0.001). A significant decrease (P = 0.002) in occurrence of ESC-producing E. coli at pig farm level from 2010 [11% (11/99)] to 2011 (0/78) was also observed. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was most often detected (63%), but blaCTX-M-14 and blaCTX-M-15 were also found. Occurrence in pork was between 1.3% and 0.9%.

Conclusions
The discontinuation of an already low use of cephalosporins in pig production has significantly reduced the occurrence of ESC-producing E. coli.

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dks427
Name of the first authorAgersø, Yvonne
Study design of the publicationCross sectional study
Method for data collection and analysis
  • Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Quantitative data - Quantitative data were used during the intervention
Other references about the intervention or other assessment of the intervention

DANMAP. Use of antimicrobial agents and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from animals, foods and humans in Denmark, 2010 http://www.DANMAP.org (10 May 2012, date last accessed)

Danish Veterinary and Food Administration http://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk (14 June 2012, date last accessed)

Sector
  • Animal - All activities regarding living animals
Sub-sectorSub-sectors are further units of demarcation within a sector E.g. awareness campaign from veterinarians to cat owners about toxoplasmosis drug resistance and transmission of resistant bacteria: ANIMAL, PETS
Subsector (animal)
  • Livestock - Places were terrestrial animals are farmed including farms, fields, orchards, pastures