Exploring frameworks for quantitative risk assessment of antimicrobial resistance along the food chain

Abstract

Campylobacter is one of the most reported causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Birds are the predominant reservoirs for thermotolerant Campylobacter, therefore consumption of contaminated and undercooked poultry products represents one of the major transmission routes for campylobacteriosis. In addition to foodborne diseases, another relevant public challenge is the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), impacting also the food chain. The occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter in broiler meat poses a significant threat to public health. In this context, quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) might support policy-makers in addressing these challenges. Hence, this project aimed to describe the current status of knowledge on occurrence of AMR Campylobacter at a global scale, with focus in estimating the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter isolated from broiler meat at retail level. Following the drafting of a dedicated protocol, a systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted. Based on the extracted data, after the determination of the proportion of AMR isolates, the proportions were compared by Campylobacter species, geographical regions, processing step and sampling matrices. Meta-analysis allowed the estimation of the pooled prevalences of resistant isolates by regions and species, combining the findings from different independent studies in a comparable way. In terms of future perspectives, the outcome of this project will support future risk assessment and provide valuable inputs for estimating consumer exposure to AMR Campylobacter via broiler meat consumption. In conclusion, this report will provide a general overview of activities, preliminary results and research performed during the EU-FORA fellowship programme (2023/2024).