Keddy, Karen H.Jonker, Annelize2025-07-162025-07-162025-092025-07*S2025http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103429Mini Dissertation (MSc (Global One Health))--University of Pretoria, 2024.The emergence and subsequent spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogenic microorganisms is an increasing and well documented global health concern (Eagar et al., 2012; Roth et al., 2019). Widespread antimicrobial drug usage in livestock is implicated as one of the drivers of AMR (Kapena et al., 2020). Significant knowledge gaps exist about the efficacy of these drugs. It is crucial to carry out surveillance research in accordance with the global action plan of the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat AMR (Nulsen et al., 2008; Kapena et al., 2020). This research was conducted to determine the antibiotic sensitivity of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus isolates from chicken table eggs, as well as respondents’ knowledge of antibiotics, withdrawal times and AMR in the Balfour community of Mpumalanga province. A structured questionnaire was administered in face-to-face interview format to backyard poultry farmers (n=27). Out of 27 respondents, 48.1% (13/27) indicated having an idea of what antibiotics are, while 29.6% (8/27) had an idea about withdrawal times. Only 14.8% (4/27) of respondents heard about AMR, with 51.9% (14/27) of respondents indicating they consumed eggs laid during treatment and 22.2% (6/27) would slaughter chickens for meat during treatment. Standard bacteriological methods were used to isolate E. coli and Enterococci from eggshells and egg contents. Ten E. coli isolates were recovered; 90% (9/10) from eggshells and 10% (1/10) from egg contents. A total of 58 Enterococcus isolates were recovered from eggshell swabs, and none from egg contents. Antibiotic sensitivity of the recovered bacteria was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Of the 10 E. coli isolates, susceptibility to ampicillin was noted to be 40%, (4/10). Susceptibility to colistin, gentamicin and sulpha-trimethoprim was 100% (10/10). Doxycycline was 40% (4/10). Susceptibility to enrofloxacin, fosfomycin and kanamycin was similar, with 80% (8/10) of isolates showing susceptibility. There were 90% (9/10) isolates susceptible to sulphonamide compound. Susceptibility to tetracycline was 60% (6/10). All (100%) of the Enterococcus isolates recovered, were susceptible to ampicillin. Susceptibility to doxycycline was noted in 86.2% (50/58) of isolates, with only 6.9% (4/58) susceptible to enrofloxacin. Against erythromycin, 32.8% (19/58) of isolates were susceptible. None of the Enterococci showed susceptibility to kanamycin, with 86.2% (50/58) demonstrating resistance and 13.8% (8/58) showing intermediate susceptibility. There was 100% resistance to sulphonamides. Susceptibility to sulpha-trimethoprim and vancomycin was quite high at 98.3% (57/58) and 94.8% (55/58), respectively. Susceptibility to tetracycline was 48.3%. All Enterococcus isolates demonstrated resistance to at least a single antibiotic, with 72.4% exhibiting MDR (resistance to 3 or more antibiotics) (Magiorakos et al., 2012). The outcomes of the research show that there is very little awareness about antibiotics, withdrawal periods, and AMR among the surveyed community members. These outcomes emphasize the necessity of educational initiatives and community outreach efforts to better inform the public on these issues of public health concern.en© 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.UCTDSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Antimicrobial sensitivityAntimicrobial resistanceTable eggsBackyard poultry farmersResponsible antimicrobial useMini Dissertationu22908872https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.29558336