Fatimata Bintou J. Diarra

Campylobacter spp. are major foodborne pathogens, and their increasing antimicrobial resistance poses a growing public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, where surveillance remains limited. This study investigated the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Campylobacter spp. in food-producing animals, with a particular focus on pigs in Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2024 to July 2025 in Ouagadougou and surrounding areas. A total of 251 fecal samples were collected from pigs (n = 101), sheep (n = 54), goats (n = 51), and cattle (n = 45) and analyzed using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on freshly recovered colonies immediately after identification, according to the CA-SFM/EUCAST 2024 disk diffusion method. A multiplex PCR targeting the 23S rRNA gene for Campylobacter genus identification and species-specific targets (mapA for C. jejuni, ceuE for C. coli, lpxA-C. lari for C. lari, and lpxA-C. upsaliensis for C. upsaliensis) was used for molecular confirmation. Campylobacter spp. were detected in 18.7% (47/251) of samples, with the highest prevalence observed in pigs (35.6%; 36/101), followed by sheep (11.1%; 6/54), goats (7.8%; 4/51), and cattle (2.2%; 1/45). PCR confirmed C. coli in 80.9% (38/47) and C. jejuni in 17.0% (8/47) of positive samples, while one goat sample showed simultaneous detection of both species (2.1%; 1/47). AMR analysis was performed on the 46 samples yielding a single Campylobacter species; the mixed-species sample was excluded. Resistance was highest to ampicillin (69.6%; 32/46), followed by tetracycline (63.0%; 29/46) and ciprofloxacin (54.3%; 25/46). bla_OXA-61 and tet(O) were the most frequently detected AMR genes. These findings suggest that pigs may represent an important reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter in the study setting and highlight the need for a One Health approach to strengthen surveillance and mitigate transmission risks along the food chain.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, driven largely by antibiotic misuse in livestock farming. This pilot study explores cattle farmers’ antibiotic use practices and their implications for environmental and human health in peri-urban area of Ouagadougou. This study aimed to identify risky antibiotic use behaviors among cattle farmers and evaluate their contribution to environmental contamination and AMR dissemination. Materials and Methods: In April 2023, a survey was conducted among 50 cattle farm owners and managers across four peri-urban area of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Data were collected using structured questionnaires through Kobo Toolbox. Farmers’ practices were categorized as “good” or “poor” based on cumulative scores derived from binary-coded responses. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between practices and AMR risk factors. Results: Among participants, 98% (n = 49) were male, 76% (n = 38) had no formal animal health training, and 96% (n = 48) used antibiotics, primarily tetracyclines. Practices associated with increased AMR risk included reliance on non-veterinary personnel for antibiotic administration and inadequate waste management. Multivariate analysis revealed that traditional farming methods significantly reduced contamination risks (p < 0.05). However, ownership of farms and using antibiotics solely for treatment were linked to higher odds of environmental contamination. Awareness of the implications of antibiotic residues in manure was low, with 82% of farmers uninformed about potential health risks. Conclusion: The study highlights prevalent antibiotic misuse and inadequate biosecurity measures among cattle farmers in Burkina Faso. These practices exacerbate AMR risks, necessitating urgent interventions. Strategies should include farmer education on biosecurity, stricter regulation of antibiotic use, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices. A One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health is critical to addressing AMR challenges. Keywords: antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance, burkina Faso, cattle farming, environmental contamination, one health.