Antibiotic use and the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria on turkey farms

BACKGROUND: A preliminary study was undertaken to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) on turkey farms using either antibiotics sub-therapeutically (AU) or no antibiotics (NAU). Samples of manure, soil, and dog feces were collected from seven AU and six NAU farms. RESULTS: The prevalence of tetracycline resistant (TC^r) bacteria was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in manure samples from AU farms while the prevalence of monensin resistant bacteria (MON^r) was higher on the NAU farms. There was no difference in the prevalence of tylosin resistant bacteria (TYL ^r) between the two types of farm. The prevalence of TC^r, TYL^r and Mon^r bacteria in soil or the prevalence of TYL^r and Mon^r bacteria in dog fecal samples from either type of farm was not significantly different. However, the prevalence of TC ^r in dog fecal samples was significantly higher (P < 0.05) from NAU farms than AU farms. Escherichia coli and Pasteurella isolated from manure samples on AU farms showed higher resistance to multiple antibiotics than those isolated from NAU farms. However, there was no difference in the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas isolates in soil samples or E. coli isolates in dog fecal samples from the two types of farms. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that although the prevalence of ARB is higher in turkey manure from AU farms, its application on land does not appear to be spreading ARB to the terrestrial environment or to pets on the farm.