Surge in Antibiotic-Resistant E. albertii Found in Bangladeshi Poultry Retail Outlets

In recent groundbreaking research conducted by scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University, a pressing public health concern has come to light involving the detection of the emerging foodborne pathogen Escherichia albertii in retail poultry across Bangladesh. While often overshadowed by its infamous cousin Escherichia coli, E. albertii is now proving to be an equally formidable gastronomic adversary, with alarming implications due to its widespread contamination in food supply chains and significant antimicrobial resistance.

E. albertii was first identified in Bangladesh in 2003, yet its precise role and impact have remained somewhat enigmatic due to frequent misidentification and scant attention in global microbiological surveillance. This pathogen is responsible for gastrointestinal illnesses characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and it is increasingly implicated in food poisoning outbreaks. In Japan, this bacterium has already been linked to multiple mass foodborne events, affecting large populations in a single incident.

The research team, led by Associate Professor Atsushi Hinenoya from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Veterinary Science, undertook a meticulous study to unravel the extent of E. albertii contamination in poultry products at retail outlets in Bangladesh. Sampling from 17 different poultry retail shops across four districts, the researchers collected a diverse set of specimens, including chicken meat, internal organs, cloacal swabs from birds, hand swabs from workers, and processing tools such as blades and bleeding cones.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) assays, a highly sensitive molecular technique for detecting bacterial DNA, revealed striking contamination rates. More than 63% of chicken meat samples tested positive for E. albertii, while cloacal swabs from the poultry showed an even higher contamination figure of 71.4%. Moreover, dangerous cross-contamination was evident as 45.5% of hand swabs from workers and about 10-13% of processing tools also harbored the bacterium. Genetic analysis underscored the likelihood of pathogen transfer between the meat, tools, and human handlers within the same retail venue.

This discovery highlights not only the prevalence of E. albertii in the food chain but also the pivotal risks posed by inadequate hygiene during poultry processing. The contamination of workers’ hands and processing equipment suggests lapses in sanitation protocols, creating a conduit for persistent bacterial spread from live birds to the final products bought by consumers.

One of the most alarming aspects of this study lies in the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated E. albertii strains. A staggering 94.4% demonstrated resistance to at least one commonly used antibiotic, and half of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. Resistance was specifically observed against a suite of clinically significant antibiotics, including tetracycline, ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin—agents often utilized for treating bacterial infections worldwide.

Whole genome sequencing of the bacterial isolates further confirmed the presence of various genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance as well as virulence factors, the molecular determinants that enable E. albertii to invade hosts and cause disease. These findings raise urgent questions about the evolution of this pathogen and the potential repercussions on public health, especially given the global rise of antimicrobial resistance.

The widespread occurrence of E. albertii in poultry and its resistance to antimicrobial therapies necessitate an urgent reevaluation of current food safety practices in Bangladesh and perhaps similar regions. Hygiene improvements during poultry processing, stricter enforcement of antibiotic use policies, and enhanced surveillance mechanisms are critical steps urgently needed to mitigate the public health risks posed by this emerging pathogen.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to extend their investigations to human clinical samples, seeking to establish direct links between E. albertii strains isolated from patients and those present in poultry meat. Such studies could illuminate the pathways of transmission and guide targeted intervention strategies aimed at breaking the cycle of contamination.

Moreover, given the increasing globalization of food trade and human travel, the threat posed by E. albertii transcends national borders. The Osaka Metropolitan University-led team advocates for international collaboration in molecular epidemiology and infection control measures to monitor and curb the dissemination of this emerging pathogen more effectively.

This research not only expands the scientific community’s understanding of E. albertii but also serves as a vital alert for public health authorities, food producers, and consumers worldwide. It underscores the hidden dangers lurking in one of the world’s most commonly consumed meats and stresses the need for vigilance in food safety from farm to fork.

The study, titled “Occurrence and cross contamination of Escherichia albertii in retail chicken outlets in Bangladesh,” was published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology on January 22, 2025. It stands as a pivotal contribution to the ongoing discourse on emerging foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance in developing countries that are critical hubs in the global food supply network.

Escherichia albertii may have escaped widespread attention in the past, but with its rising incidence and worrisome resistance profile, it demands urgent attention and proactive measures. Consumers should be cautious about thoroughly cooking poultry, and food handlers must prioritize hygiene to curb the spread of this stealthy bacterial threat.

Article Title: Occurrence and cross contamination of Escherichia albertii in retail chicken outlets in Bangladesh
News Publication Date: 22-Jan-2025
References: International Journal of Food Microbiology, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2025.111081
Image Credits: Osaka Metropolitan University
Keywords: Escherichia albertii, foodborne pathogen, poultry contamination, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, Bangladesh, molecular epidemiology, cross-contamination, multidrug resistance, PCR analysis, whole genome sequencing, public health risk

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