Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria on Antibiotic Treated Piglets

Abstract

Testing livestock animals, as well as produce, for antibiotic resistant bacteria is an important component for insuring today’s products do not make people sick. Livestock yards can be filled with flies, as well as maggot colonies. Since these flies are often in contact with the animals themselves, testing them as vectors of antibiotic resistance is crucial to maintain the health of society. Flies and maggot masses were allowed to accumulate on 6 piglet cadavers from a local North Georgia farm, some of which had been treated with gentamycin. The flies, maggot masses and the piglets themselves were then swabbed. The swabs were then transferred to plates containing Gentamycin, Streptomycin and Ampicillin. After a 48-hour incubation period it was found that among the groups tested antibiotic resistant bacteria were present. Of the 6 cadavers, and 6 maggot colonies tested, all showed resistance to gentamycin, streptomycin and ampicillin. Of the 21 flies collected, only nine showed resistance. The bacteria found on cadavers, maggots and flies are currently being tested to ID. These findings reinforce the importance of controlled use of antibiotics on livestock. While only 42% of the flies carried antibiotic resistance, they can still act as vectors of resistance in the community. The continuation of research on livestock and other animals feeding on livestock as vectors for antibiotic resistant bacteria can add to an improvement in farming, as well as stricter regulations for the use of antibiotics in farming.