Antibiotic resistance in the poultry microbiome is investigated by FEEC BUT

Darina Čejková's team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering FEEC BUT investigates how genes causing antibiotic resistance are transmitted. Specifically, the researchers are interested in the intestinal microbiota of chickens, because the poultry industry is considered one of the main sources of antibiotic resistance genes due to the extensive use of antibiotics in the past. The three-year project, on which the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno and the Technical University of Denmark are collaborating, should primarily bring new methods of analysis and their optimization.

More and more often, we come across reports of antibiotics not working due to their overuse or of resistant bacteria, which, for example, in hospitals often no longer respond to disinfectants. "Even basic operations such as appendectomy can cause problems. Especially in people with weakened immunity," Darina Čejková from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering FEKT BUT says.

The project under her leadership therefore deals with antibiotic resistance. However, it does not focus on the issue of the hospital environment, but on agriculture. "The question is what is the source of resistance genes, or resistant pathogenic organisms. One possibility is agriculture and livestock breeding. It is reported that up to ten out of every twelfth bacteria live in one gram of the intestinal cavity," Čejková explains, adding that these bacteria can then transfer genes that cause resistance to each other.

THE PROJECT SHOULD BRING A NEW METHODOLOGY

According to her, antibiotics have been used especially in the poultry industry since the beginning of commercial use. Although strict restrictions on the use of antibiotics have been in place in the European Union since 2006, microbes continue to pass on resistance genes. "For example, small chickens in farms are without contact with the hen, i.e. a source of healthy microflora, which allows them to better resist intestinal pathogens. They have almost no microflora of their own and acquire it randomly from the environment. The nurse can then easily introduce a pathogen there, which carries resistance and which can spread very quickly," she explains.

That is why, as part of a three-year project, the team is interested in which resistance genes are found in the bacteria of the caecum of poultry and how they are transferred to other bacteria. Scientists examine both droppings and caeca tissue of poultry from industrial poultry farms and home farms. "We are looking at the whole thing more comprehensively. We are trying to find new tools for analysis and new approaches to evaluating information. For example, we are trying to isolate the transferable part of genetic information, the so-called mobilome," Darina Čejková explains.

They are collaborating on the project with the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno and the Technical University of Denmark. In addition to new tools for analysis and optimization of methods, they also want to determine the dynamics of development. "Specifically, how the amount of transferred genetic material changes over time. Whether the amount of some resistant bacteria increases or decreases over time," Čejková concludes. That is why he hopes that they will be able to follow up on this first project of its kind and will be able to focus on the issue in the long term.

Themes

Related articles:
Scientists from FEEC BUT are participating in the development of a smart intersection. This could make transport more efficient and ensure greater safety
Millions of calculations in overheated offices as a path to green gas
Optical fibres will help peek into the deepest parts of the brain. A doctoral student from FME is involved in the research
Swarm of unmanned drones with ground robots to help army survey hazardous areas
Greater efficiency and completely new applications. Experts from FEEC BUT also collaborate on satellites for very low orbit