Antibiotic resistance genes on raw egg surface with potential to transmit through supply chain

In this study, the occurrence of tetracycline resistance genes among bacteria present on the raw egg surface was analysed. Metagenomic method was used in this study for the rapid detection and better surveillance on antibiotic resistance transfer. From the study, meta DNA extracted from the raw egg surface wash was found to be positive for tetB gene. Whereas the meta DNA from the poultry slaughter house cutting surface, was found to have both tetA and tetB genes. The antibiotic resistance pattern of bacteria isolated from the raw egg samples further showed 76% of them to be resistant to more than 3 different categories of antibiotics. As the antibiotics used in the poultry feed are known to contribute to the fast emergence of resistance in bacteria associated with poultry derived food, it is important to rigorously monitor the feed in poultry farms in order to minimise the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance.