The Role of Short Journey Transportation in the Spreading of Swine Pathogens and Antimicrobial‐Resistant Bacteria

TL;DR

This study shows that trucks used to transport pigs can spread harmful bacteria and viruses, especially after loading, emphasizing the need for better cleaning.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the microbiological contamination of trucks during pig transport and the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Findings

Bacterial and viral contamination was significantly higher in 'dirty' trucks compared to 'clean' ones.

ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and OXA-48-like-producing E. coli were detected, indicating antimicrobial resistance risks.

Effective sanitization is crucial to reduce pathogen spread during pig transportation.

Abstract

The transport of live pigs poses a risk to on‐farm biosecurity. Trucks can carry pathogens with significant economic and health impacts, including antimicrobial‐resistant (AMR) bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological contamination of trucks before and after loading, focusing on AMR bacteria and other major pathogens transmissible through feces. Samples were collected by swabbing the internal surface of disinfected empty trucks at farm entry (“clean”) and after loading (“dirty”) and were tested for total plate count (TPC), specific bacteria, and viruses. Escherichia coli isolates were also phenotypically and molecularly tested for the presence of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL), other β‐lactamases (AmpC), and carbapenemase. Bacterial counts (both TPC and Enterobacterales counts) and the probability of testing positive for E. coli, ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli, and Rotavirus A varied significantly depending on the truck condition, being significantly higher in “dirty” than in “clean” trucks. Despite a nonsignificant difference, positivity to Rotavirus B showed the same tendency. Conversely, the truck condition had no effect on Rotavirus C, Salmonella spp., porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and carbapenemase‐producing E. coli, which were detected only in samples collected on “dirty” trucks. Although the positivity rate of most agents in “clean” samples was close to zero, the relatively frequent occurrence of E. coli and some rotaviruses highlights the importance of improving sanitization procedures. The detection of ESBL/AmpC‐ and OXA‐48‐like‐producing E. coli was of particular concern. These findings confirm the role of trucks in spreading pathogens of concern and AMR, highlighting the importance of effective monitoring and proper sanitization procedures.

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