Global study reveals rising antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter

A new study published in the Zoonoses journal focuses on the bacteria Campylobacter, which is a leading cause of foodborne illness around the world. Researchers aimed to understand how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is spreading in different strains of this bacteria. The study analyzed 66,771 Campylobacter genomes collected from 53 countries between 1954 and 2023. Among these, 24,115 samples were from C. coli and 42,656 from C. jejuni. Researchers found that these bacteria can be grouped into 2,771 different sequence types. Some of these types were found in humans, chickens, pigs, cattle, and the environment. The analysis revealed important trends in resistance to certain antibiotics. There has been an increase in resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and fluoroquinolone in the past 23 years, especially in C. jejuni strains. The study suggested that factors such as antibiotic use, climate conditions, and socioeconomic status may influence these resistance patterns in different regions. This research provides a global map of Campylobacter genetic information. It offers valuable insights into how AMR develops and spreads in this important bacterial species.