From Farm to Fork: Persistence of Clinically Relevant Multidrug-Resistant and Copper-Tolerant Klebsiella pneumoniae Long after Colistin Withdrawal in Poultry Production
Joana Mourão, Marisa Ribeiro‐Almeida, Carla Novais, Mafalda Magalhães, Andreia Rebelo, Sofia Ribeiro, Luísa Maria Sobreira Vieira Peixe, Ângela Novais, Patrı́cia Antunes
Abstract
-negative K. pneumoniae in chicken flocks, regardless of inorganic and organic copper formulas use and a long-term colistin ban. Despite the high K. pneumoniae isolate diversity, the occurrence of identical lineages and plasmids across samples and/or clinical isolates suggests poultry as a potential source of human K. pneumoniae exposure. This study highlights the need for continued surveillance and proactive farm-to-fork actions to mitigate the risks to public health, relevant for stakeholders involved in the food industry and policymakers tasked with regulating food safety.