Speaker
Description
Campylobacter is a major foodborne pathogen. We investigated multidrug resistance (MDR) in clinical isolates from Germany (2010–2022) within the national surveillance program. A total of 6,950 single-colony isolates were phenotypically tested; 2,912 were genome sequenced and screened for antimicrobial resistance genes. MDR cultures were further analyzed for contaminating DNA and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We identified 451 (6.5%) isolates resistant to fluoroquinolones and macrolides; two C. jejuni isolates exhibited resistance to up to ten antibiotic classes. Unexpectedly, genome analysis revealed >10% Enterococcus DNA in these single-colony-derived samples. SEM confirmed coccoid bacteria interspersed with spiral Campylobacter. Subsequent purification separated fluoroquinolone-resistant but not macrolide-resistant Campylobacter from multidrug-resistant Enterococcus. Mixed-culture experiments demonstrated protection of Campylobacter against ribosome-targeting antimicrobials in the presence of Enterococcus. These findings indicate that apparent MDR in Campylobacter can arise from interspecies interactions rather than intrinsic resistance, highlighting the importance of a One Health perspective integrating microbial ecology into antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
Keywords
Campylobacter, antimicrobial resistance, microcolony, mixed-spiecies
| Registration ID | OHS26-0186 |
|---|---|
| Professional Status of the Speaker | Senior Scientist |
| Junior Scientist Status | No, I am not a Junior Scientist. |
