Detection of extended‐spectrum β‐lactam, AmpC and carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in beef cattle in Great Britain in 2015

Abstract

AIMS: This study investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of Enterobacteriaceae with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-, AmpC- and carbapenemase-mediated resistance in British beef cattle, and related risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: . Buying bulls and bringing in fattening cattle from another farm were identified as significant risk factors for positive samples harbouring CTX-M Enterobacteriaceae or AmpC phenotype E. coli respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Beef cattle on a proportion of farms in GB carry ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Factors, such as operating as a closed herd, may have an important role in reducing introduction and transmission of resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The results indicate management factors may play an important role in impacting ESBL prevalence. In particular, further study would be valuable to understand the impact of maintaining a closed herd on reducing the introduction of resistant Enterobacteriaceae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study showing the presence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in British beef cattle.