Characterisation of ceftiofur resistance in swine bacterial pathogens

A PCR based method was developed for the identification of ceftiofur resistance genes (blaCMY-2, blaTEM-1, and ampC) in swine bacterial pathogens. Using this method, the ceftiofur resistant (n = 76) and susceptible (n = 45) strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Pasteurella multocida were screened for the presence of these three genes. The resistant genes were detected in 70% (blaTEM-1), 68% (blaCMY-2) and 45% (ampC) of the resistant isolates and in 18% (blaTEM-1), 27% (blaCMY-2), and 36% (ampC) of the susceptible isolates. Results obtained in the present study showed widespread distribution of these three resistance genes in ceftiofur-resistant swine pathogens. It was also observed that more pathogens are acquiring these resistance genes.