Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13
14169 Berlin
+49 30 838 51845
tierhygiene@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
Introduction
The occurrence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) and/or plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamase- producing
Enterobacteriaceae in broiler fattening farms was shown in previous studies. The detection level of these antibiotic
resistant bacteria was already high in cloacal swabs of one-day old chicken. This leads to the hypothesis of an early
entry or emergence of these resistant bacteria within the broiler production chain, maybe with a strong impact of the
hatcheries’ management or the parent flocks.
Material and Methods
We are investigating this hypothesis by tracking seven broiler flocks along the entire production chain starting from
the parent flocks. Several samples originating from the eggs/animals as well as from their direct environment in the
hatchery/barn are collected. First, the presence of ESBL-/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae is investigated in the
parent flocks, only positive flocks are included in this study. The hatching eggs of the particular parent flocks are
traced at three different time points and at specific locations of hazard inside the hatchery. After that the chicken from
the same batch of hatched eggs as investigated before will be analysed three times during their fattening period in
the farm, from arrival to the end. Then the same flocks are sampled at the slaughterhouse.
Results
The analysis of the first broiler chain showed no findings of ESBL-/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae within the
hatchery. Here the resistant bacteria initially appeared in the middle of the fattening period. In contrast to this in the
second investigated chain ESBL-/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae were already found in the hatchery.
Conclusion
By now a precise conclusion about the transmission of the resistant bacteria along the broiler production chain cannot
be given. More production chains will be investigated and further analyses will lead to information about molecular
characteristics and relationships of different isolates. These results of the ongoing project will be presented.