Multi Drug Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Imported Poultry Products in the Maldives
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increasingly compromises food safety and public health worldwide. Poultry products are major vectors for AMR bacteria in the food supply. We conducted the first preliminary survey of non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) and Escherichia coli on imported poultry in the Maldives. A total of 30 frozen whole chicken samples (15 processed as whole and 15 separated into meat and skin) and three pooled egg samples (10 eggs per pool) were obtained from supermarkets and grocery stores in Greater Malé between June/July 2022. Standard culture methods (FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual) were used to isolate NTS and E. coli, and isolates were tested for susceptibility to five antibiotics (ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) by disk diffusion (EUCAST guidelines). NTS was recovered from 10 of 30 (33.3%) chicken samples, predominantly from skin (9/15) versus meat (3/15); E. coli was found in 15 of 30 (50%) samples, more often in meat. One pooled egg sample (33%) was positive for E. coli. Among 13 NTS isolates, 69% (9/13) were resistant to tetracycline, and 38% (5/13) to ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and ceftriaxone. 38% (5/13) NTS were classified by EUCAST as susceptible, increased exposure to ciprofloxacin. Overall, 9 of 13 (69.2%) NTS isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR; non-susceptible to ≥3 classes). In E. coli resistance was most common to ampicillin (8/19, 42.1%) followed by tetracycline (5/19, 26.3%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (4/19, 21.1%), ciprofloxacin (1/19, 5.3%) and ceftriaxone (1/19, 5.3%) with 26.3% (5/19) of E. coli being MDR. These results indicate a substantial prevalence of MDR foodborne bacteria in imported poultry and underscore critical food safety and One Health concerns. Strengthened microbiological surveillance, risk-based import inspection, and enhanced regulatory coordination (aligned with the Maldives’ AMR Action Plan) are urgently needed to protect public health.
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Comments to Author
This research provides important first-time insight into the prevalence of food-borne pathogens and their antibiotic resistance profiles from poultry imported into the Maldives. As an LMIC with evidence of increasing diarrhoeal disease, these findings provide an important contribution towards highlighting the need for better surveillance and future approaches to food-safety regulations. This preliminary study is well designed as an initial assessment, takes into consideration the limitations, and provides appropriate suggestions for the future direction of the research. There are no major corrections, however, the following minor corrections need to be addressed: Abstract: Line 22 - For clarity, '30 eggs total' should be written as '30 eggs per pool' Line 35 - 'were' should be 'being' Introduction:
Comments to Author
This research provides important first-time insight into the prevalence of food-borne pathogens and their antibiotic resistance profiles from poultry imported into the Maldives. As an LMIC with evidence of increasing diarrhoeal disease, these findings provide an important contribution towards highlighting the need for better surveillance and future approaches to food-safety regulations. This preliminary study is well designed as an initial assessment, takes into consideration the limitations, and provides appropriate suggestions for the future direction of the research. There are no major corrections, however, the following minor corrections need to be addressed: Abstract: Line 22 - For clarity, '30 eggs total' should be written as '30 eggs per pool' Line 35 - 'were' should be 'being' Introduction: Lines 55-57 - The same information regarding poultry as a source of transmission is repeated across both sentences. Please remove the repetition. Lines 67-70 - There is repetition of information regarding surveillance in the health sector. Please remove the repetition. Lines 91-95 - The summary of the study objectives contains repetition regarding the prevalence of the bacteria and their resistance profiles. Please remove the repetition. Methods: Line 141 - Appropriate formatting of 'Salmonella typhimurium' required. Discussion: Lines 270-272 - The sentence about molecular identification of the resistance genes is incomplete.
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I confirm no generative AI tools were used in preparation of this review.
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Good
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Good
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Strongly support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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Comments to Author
Title: Multi Drug Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Imported Poultry Products in the Maldives This study is a cross-sectional study done in Maldives (a Small Island Developing State) to determine the proportion of poultry products imported which are contaminated with E Coli or NTS and the proportion of MDR NTS and E.Coli in them. This is a relevant study from a One health and public health perspective. I would like to congratulate the authors for selecting this topic, and the time and effort put for doing this study in Maldives from where data on AMR from a One health perspective is scant. The article is written clearly. Summary of the study They tested a total of 30 frozen whole chicken samples (15 processed as whole and 15 separated into meat and skin) and three pooled egg …
Comments to Author
Title: Multi Drug Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Imported Poultry Products in the Maldives This study is a cross-sectional study done in Maldives (a Small Island Developing State) to determine the proportion of poultry products imported which are contaminated with E Coli or NTS and the proportion of MDR NTS and E.Coli in them. This is a relevant study from a One health and public health perspective. I would like to congratulate the authors for selecting this topic, and the time and effort put for doing this study in Maldives from where data on AMR from a One health perspective is scant. The article is written clearly. Summary of the study They tested a total of 30 frozen whole chicken samples (15 processed as whole and 15 separated into meat and skin) and three pooled egg samples (30 eggs total). Standard culture methods were used to isolate NTS and E. coli and test for susceptibility to five antibiotics (ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) by disk diffusion. EUCAST guidelines were followed for the study. Results NTS was recovered from 33.3% and E.Coli from 50% of the chicken samples. Among 13 NTS isolates, resistance to tetracycline was 69% and to ciprofloxacin, ampicillin and ceftriaxone were 38% each. 69% NTS were MDR. In E. coli resistance was most common to ampicillin (42.1%) followed by tetracycline, 26.3%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (21.1%), ciprofloxacin (5.3%) and ceftriaxone (5.3%). 26.3% of E. coli were MDR. General overview of the study Methodology can be explained more. The study is reproducible. The authors have given all relevant data in supplementary files. The paper is well organised, and results are presented clearly. Limitations of the study are acknowledged. Minor comments 1) It would be useful to mention in the text the year of study, even though in the Supplementary Table 1 it is mentioned the date of purchase to be in mid 2022. 2) Was any permission from local authorities required for sample collection? 3) Was sample size calculated before the study? 4) Was it random sampling or purposive sampling? 5) It would be helpful to add more details of methods of sample collection, to show evidence that there was no cross-contamination between samples during sample collection. Were all the samples collected by the same person? Over how many days?
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Satisfactory
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Good
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Strongly support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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