Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains, has been detected in food products
of animal origin globally. Limited data have been reported on the factors contributing to
antibiotic resistance of food-borne pathogens in South Africa. The primary aim of this study
was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains, in poultry
meat products as well as the evaluation of potential risk factors for contamination of poultry
meat products with antibiotic-resistant S. aureus isolates. A cross-sectional investigation was
conducted in municipalities located across the nine provinces of South Africa, which included
abattoirs, meat processing facilities, retail outlets and cold stores at the major ports of entry
into South Africa. Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from various poultry meat products
were tested for susceptibility to 14 antibiotic compounds representing 10 antibiotic classes
using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Potential risk factors were evaluated using a
logistic regression model. Of the 311 samples tested, 34.1% (n = 106) were positive for S. aureus
(95% confidence interval [CI], 28.9% – 39.7%). Seventy-two of the 106 isolates were randomly
selected for antibiotic sensitivity testing. Twenty-one per cent (n = 15) of the isolates selected
for sensitivity testing were methicillin-resistant strains (95% CI, 12.2% – 32.0%). Multi-drug
resistance was detected in 22.2% (n = 16) of these isolates tested (95% CI, 13.3% – 33.6%). Origin
of the product (p = 0.160), type of meat product (p = 0.962), type of facility (p = 0.115) and
facility hygiene practices (p = 0.484) were not significantly associated with contamination of
poultry meat products with methicillin-resistant strains. The study provides baseline data for
further studies on antibiotic resistance risk assessments for food-borne pathogens, including
S. aureus, which should guide the implementation plans of the South African National
Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy Framework, 2017–2024.
