Poultry Farming Practices Linked to Antimicrobial Resistance in Zambia

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the Hokkaido University International Institute for Zoonosis Control and the University of Zambia has identified a significant correlation between the misuse of antimicrobials in poultry farming and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales. The study, which focused on small-scale farms in the Copperbelt province of Zambia, found that 71.1% of market-ready broiler chickens sampled harbored cefotaxime-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

These findings underscore the urgent need for improved antimicrobial stewardship programs and optimized antimicrobial use in poultry farming to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The study's results also highlighted the presence of multidrug resistance in 64.2% of the isolated bacteria, which was particularly concerning given the high resistance rates to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and tetracycline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research identified a significant association between the misuse of antimicrobials in poultry farming and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales.
  • A total of 114 pooled samples from market-ready broiler chickens yielded 81 (71.1%) cefotaxime-resistant Gram-negative strains, with the largest proportion (77.8%) being Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  • The study found that 64.2% of the isolated bacteria exhibited multidrug resistance, with high resistance rates to ampicillin (64%), co-trimoxazole (64%), and tetracycline (64%).
  • The results also showed that 66.7% of the isolates harbored at least one of the four tested genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaOXA-1), with the commonest being blaCTX-M (58%) and blaOXA-1 (45.7%).
  • The study culminated in a recommendation for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs and optimized antimicrobial use in poultry farming.

Statistics:

  • 71.1% of market-ready broiler chickens sampled harbored cefotaxime-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
  • 64.2% of the isolated bacteria exhibited multidrug resistance, with high resistance rates to ampicillin (64%), co-trimoxazole (64%), and tetracycline (64%).
  • 66.7% of the isolates harbored at least one of the four tested genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaOXA-1).
  • 58% of the isolated bacteria harbored the blaCTX-M gene, and 45.7% harbored the blaOXA-1 gene.

Sources:

  • "Occurrence of cefotaxime-resistant and beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in poultry from small-scale farms in the Copperbelt province of Zambia." JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 2025;7(4).
  • University of Zambia Reports Findings in Poultry Farming (Occurrence of cefotaxime-resistant and beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in poultry from small-scale farms in the Copperbelt province of Zambia). Agriculture Week. August 7, 2025; p 5950.