Survey on use of Colistin in poultry and its residues in Farm- fresh and commercial eggs in Sabon-gari Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Antimicrobial microbial resistance (AMR) is a priority global public health threat. It is driven by increased used of antimicrobial agents in humans, veterinary medicine and agriculture resulting in selection pressure and occurrence of their residues in edible products. It is essential to preserve critical antibiotics such as colistin which is a last resort drug for treatment of MDR Gram-negative bacterial infection. A total of 1,180 eggs were collected over a period of 3 months from both farms and markets in Sabon-gari local government area of Kaduna State Nigeria to determine the prevalence of colistin and other antibiotic residues. The eggs were pooled in batches of 10 and screened for antimicrobial residues using microbial inhibition test, positive samples were further subjected to a confirmatory test using Elabscience(R) colistin ELISA kit. Structured questionnaire was administered to farmers to obtain information of antimicrobial usage, intensity of colistin uses, purpose of use and other management information, awareness on drug withdrawal period, antibiotic residue and their effects and implication on public health. Out of the 118 pooled samples, 75.4% were positive for antimicrobial residue out of which 37.5% were due to colistin residue. Farms that reared less than 500 birds had higher levels (50%) of colistin residue in their eggs as compared to those that reared between 500-4999 (37.5%). Farmers who used antibiotics weekly and those who did not observe withdrawal period had higher levels (56.5%) of colistin in their eggs. There was association between presence of colistin residue and non-observance of withdrawal period. Keproceryl(R) was the most frequently used antibiotic by farmers in this study. This study further confirms the presence of antimicrobial residues particularly colistin in both farm-fresh and commercial eggs within Sabon-gari local government area and the need for regulations to monitor drug administration by farmers.