Genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance patterns in a Campylobacter population isolated from poultry farms in Switzerland

The diversity and genetic interrelation of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolated from Swiss poultry were assessed by three independent typing methods. Samples were derived prior to slaughter from 100 randomly selected flocks (five birds per Hock) raised on three different farm types. The observed flock prevalence was 54 % in total, with 50 % for conventional and 69 % for free-range farms. Birds held on farms with a confined roaming area had the lowest prevalence of 37 %. Campylobacter isolates were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), restriction fragment length polymorphism of flaA PCR fragments (flaA-RFLP), and disk diffusion testing for eight antimicrobial agents that are commonly used in veterinary or human medicine in Switzerland. Analysis of the genotypic results indicates that the Campylobacter population in Swiss poultry is genetically highly diverse. Nevertheless, occasionally, isolates with identical or nearly identical characteristics were isolated from different farms or farm types in different locations. Genetic typing by AFLP and flaA-RFLP was found to be complementary. The majority of isolates (67 %) were susceptible to all tested antibiotics; however, single, double, and triple resistances were observed in 7 %, 23 %, and 2 % of the strains, respectively. There was no correlation between genotype and antibiotic resistance. Surprisingly, sulfonamide resistance was frequently found together with streptomycin resistance. Our findings illustrate the results of common genetic exchange in the studied bacterial population.