Study shows poultry is a major source of drug-resistant Campylobacter infections in the US

A new study has identified poultry as a major source of human Campylobacter infections in the United States, and there are significant concerns about increasing antibiotic resistance.

Researchers at the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research used machine learning techniques and data from US national surveillance to find that 68 percent of Campylobacter cases between 2009 and 2019 came from contaminated poultry. The results were published in Journal of Infections.

Campylobacter causes infections in the intestines of birds and mammals, often transmitted through undercooked meat or contaminated food. The study underscores growing concern about the rise of antibiotic resistance among bacteria in the food chain, particularly in poultry, the most commonly consumed meat in the United States

Using machine learning for source attribution
The research used genomic data from 8,856 human Campylobacter infection samples and compared them with 16,703 genomes from potential animal sources, including poultry, cattle, wild birds and pork. The study used advanced machine learning techniques to identify genetic markers in the bacteria, allowing researchers to trace the likely origins of the infections.

The study found that poultry was the primary source of Campylobacter infections, accounting for 68 percent of cases. Cattle were the second largest culprit at 28 percent, while wild birds and pork played a much smaller role, accounting for 3 percent and 1 percent of infections, respectively.

Ben Pascoe, research fellow at the Ineos Oxford Institute (IOI), emphasized the importance of collaboration in data sharing.

“The study uses data collected from multiple U.S. health agencies. By sharing data and expertise, we were able to conduct the largest study of its kind and provide invaluable data on the source of human infections,” said Pascoe.

Antibiotic resistance is increasing
One of the main concerns of the study is the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter, particularly in poultry strains. During the study period, researchers observed a significant increase in AMR genes, particularly in bacteria derived from chicken sources. This poses a significant threat to public health as infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more difficult to treat and can lead to more serious health consequences.

Professor Samuel Sheppard, who led the research at IOI, warned of the urgent need to address this issue in the poultry industry.

“We have shown that not only is poultry a significant reservoir for Campylobacter infections, but that AMR is increasing in livestock, particularly poultry. “To protect ourselves and our antibiotics, the poultry industry must urgently work to reduce the spread of infections in poultry,” Sheppard said.

Implications for food safety and public health
The results of the study have significant implications for public health and food safety policy. Because poultry is one of the leading causes of Campylobacter infections in humans, research suggests that targeted interventions in the poultry industry could be one of the most effective ways to reduce the incidence of campylobacteriosis and limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Campylobacter infections are one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses in the United States, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. In some cases, especially in people with weakened immune systems, the infection can lead to serious complications and hospitalization. Increasing antibiotic resistance further exacerbates these risks.

As policymakers and industry leaders work to improve food safety standards, the study highlights the need for increased surveillance, better sanitation practices in food production and reductions in antibiotic use in agriculture to help protect public health.

The full study can be found here.

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