Antimicrobial resistance in enteric bacteria isolated from retail turkey and veal meat

This thesis is an investigation of the prevalence of, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in, enteric bacteria isolated from retail turkey, and grain- and milk-fed veal purchased from grocery outlets in Southern Ontario. Campylobacter was detected in 46% and 1%, and Salmonella in 24% and 4% of the turkey and grain-fed veal samples respectively. Non-type specific E. coli was detected in 95%, 88% and 87% of the turkey, grain-fed and milk-fed veal samples respectively. Turkey AMR findings included ceftiofur (14%) and ceftriaxone (1%) among Salmonella isolates, and ciprofloxacin (6%) among Campylobacter isolates. AMR findings in veal included ciprofloxacin (4% of E. coli milk-fed veal isolates) and ceftiofur (3% of milk-fed and 0.4% of grain-fed veal E. coli isolates). This thesis has demonstrated that retail turkey and veal meat represent potential sources of exposure for enteric pathogens and for AMR for consumers in Southern Ontario.