A Comprehensive Review on Public Health Significance of Staphylococcal and Clostridial Infections of Poultry

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus causes staphylococcal food poisoning and several difficult-to-treat infections in human. The occurrence and dissemination of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) is crucial and well documented in various investigations. MRSA is an increasing public health concern worldwide. In addition, S. aureus is resistant to commonly used antibiotics in poultry farms; a concern to public health concerning the transmission of this bacteria after consuming poultry meat, hence, these highlight the significance of antimicrobial and enterotoxigenic monitoring of S. aureus in food chains. Clostridium perfringens is a ubiquitous spore-forming anaerobic pathogen which causes clinical or subclinical necrotic enteritis in broilers, while, in humans, it is the causal agent of foodborne diseases, frequently related to the consumption of chicken meat. Moreover, enterotoxin-producing C. perfringens has high zoonotic potential as well as serious public health concerns due to the emanation of food-borne intoxication. The high diversity and prevalence of C. perfringens and S. aureus strains indicates the instant need to carry out various plans to control C. perfringens and S. aureus associated with foodborne infections. Meanwhile, clinical importance, assisting in understanding the prevalence, origin, reservoir, and evolution of antibacterial resistance of C. perfringens and S. aureus for establishing the control of these pathogens.