Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production
Livestock animals, especially poultry, are a known reservoir for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing <i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i>. They may enter the pen either via positive day-old chicks or via the environment. We developed a mathematical model to illustrate the entr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/981 |
| _version_ | 1797497677986922496 |
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| author | Evelyne Becker Guido Correia-Carreira Michaela Projahn Annemarie Käsbohrer |
| author_facet | Evelyne Becker Guido Correia-Carreira Michaela Projahn Annemarie Käsbohrer |
| author_sort | Evelyne Becker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Livestock animals, especially poultry, are a known reservoir for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing <i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i>. They may enter the pen either via positive day-old chicks or via the environment. We developed a mathematical model to illustrate the entry and dissemination of resistant bacteria in a broiler pen during one fattening period in order to investigate the effectiveness of intervention measures on this infection process. Different management measures, such as varying amounts of litter, a slow-growing breed or lower stocking densities, were tested for their effects on broiler colonization. We also calculated the impact of products that may influence the microbiota in the chicks’ digestive tract, such as pre- or probiotics, feed supplements or competitive exclusion products. Our model outcomes show that a contaminated pen or positive chicks at the beginning of the fattening period can infect the entire flock. Increasing the amount of litter and decreasing the stocking density were shown to be effective in our model. Differences in the route of entry were found: if the chicks are already positive, the litter quantity must be increased to at least six times the standard of 1000 g/m<sup>2</sup>, whereas, if the pen is contaminated on the first day, three times the litter quantity is sufficient. A reduced stocking density of 20 kg/m<sup>2</sup> had a significant effect on the incidence of infection only in a previously contaminated pen. Combinations of two or three measures were effective in both scenarios; similarly, feed additives may be beneficial in reducing the growth rate of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i>. This model is a valuable tool for evaluating interventions to reduce the transmission and spread of resistant bacteria in broiler houses. However, data are still needed to optimize the model, such as growth rates or survival data of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i> in different environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:23:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fe548eb494824c4093c0e6a782186dc9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:23:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-fe548eb494824c4093c0e6a782186dc92023-11-23T12:15:58ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-05-0110598110.3390/microorganisms10050981Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler ProductionEvelyne Becker0Guido Correia-Carreira1Michaela Projahn2Annemarie Käsbohrer3MINT VR-Labs, Berliner Hochschule für Technik, 13353 Berlin, GermanyGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, GermanyGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, GermanyGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 12277 Berlin, GermanyLivestock animals, especially poultry, are a known reservoir for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing <i>Escherichia coli (E. coli)</i>. They may enter the pen either via positive day-old chicks or via the environment. We developed a mathematical model to illustrate the entry and dissemination of resistant bacteria in a broiler pen during one fattening period in order to investigate the effectiveness of intervention measures on this infection process. Different management measures, such as varying amounts of litter, a slow-growing breed or lower stocking densities, were tested for their effects on broiler colonization. We also calculated the impact of products that may influence the microbiota in the chicks’ digestive tract, such as pre- or probiotics, feed supplements or competitive exclusion products. Our model outcomes show that a contaminated pen or positive chicks at the beginning of the fattening period can infect the entire flock. Increasing the amount of litter and decreasing the stocking density were shown to be effective in our model. Differences in the route of entry were found: if the chicks are already positive, the litter quantity must be increased to at least six times the standard of 1000 g/m<sup>2</sup>, whereas, if the pen is contaminated on the first day, three times the litter quantity is sufficient. A reduced stocking density of 20 kg/m<sup>2</sup> had a significant effect on the incidence of infection only in a previously contaminated pen. Combinations of two or three measures were effective in both scenarios; similarly, feed additives may be beneficial in reducing the growth rate of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i>. This model is a valuable tool for evaluating interventions to reduce the transmission and spread of resistant bacteria in broiler houses. However, data are still needed to optimize the model, such as growth rates or survival data of ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i> in different environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/981antibiotic resistanceESBLbroilermanagement measuresintervention measuresmodeling |
| spellingShingle | Evelyne Becker Guido Correia-Carreira Michaela Projahn Annemarie Käsbohrer Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production Microorganisms antibiotic resistance ESBL broiler management measures intervention measures modeling |
| title | Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production |
| title_full | Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production |
| title_fullStr | Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production |
| title_short | Modeling the Impact of Management Changes on the Infection Dynamics of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Broiler Production |
| title_sort | modeling the impact of management changes on the infection dynamics of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing i escherichia coli i in the broiler production |
| topic | antibiotic resistance ESBL broiler management measures intervention measures modeling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/5/981 |
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