Preliminary studies indicate that resistance to β-Lactams and multi-drug resistant members of the Campylobacter genus are prevalent among UK gamebirds. Pheasants and partridges are raised in rearing facilities where they are sometimes provided with antimicrobials through their food or water, which could contribute to the development of resistance. As gamebirds are released into the wild, there is a risk of transmitting resistant bacteria into the broader ecosystem. Also, anecdotal evidence indicates that gamebirds are sometimes given food supplemented with anti-microbials on shooting estates. This practice can attract other wild species that may come into contact with contaminated bird faeces.
This project will lead to an understanding of antimicrobial use and the prevalence of AMR in the gamebird industry. This will allow the development of strategies to mitigate the industry’s impact on AMR in released gamebirds and potentially on the wider ecosystem. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we aim to explore the factors driving antimicrobial use, assess its biological impact on birds, and identify effective methods for communicating these findings to industry stakeholders. This will enable stakeholders to make more informed decisions and reduce the potential for AMR development.
- What is the current rational for antimicrobial use in gamebirds and what factors determine specific drug use?
- To what extent is the gamebird industry aware of antimicrobial resistance resulting from prophylactic antimicrobial use?
- How prevalent is AMR in the microbiota of released UK gamebirds?
- How do different antimicrobial practices affect resistance levels in the gamebird microbiota?
- What is the most effective method for communicating the impact of antimicrobial use to stakeholders in the gamebird industry?
Based on the results from the survey, the student will design an appropriate sampling protocol for partridges and pheasants during both rearing and release on a sub-sample of the shoots that have been surveyed. Prevalence of AMR genes during rearing, in release pens, after release and during shooting will be assessed. Samples will be taken from birds that have either been submitted for veterinary post-mortem examination or from birds shot during the shooting season. Faecal and caecal pellet samples will also be taken from live birds. Microbial DNA will be extracted from gastrointestinal and respiratory samples, and qPCR will be used to determine the abundance of antimicrobial resistance genes. A subset of samples will undergo metagenomic sequencing, and antimicrobial resistance genes and other virulence genes will be identified. The presence and abundance of AMR and antimicrobial residues will be correlated with the previously surveyed antimicrobial usage practises.
A co-creation workshop with survey respondents will be arranged to firstly share findings of the research and to explore effective methods for communicating such findings to game industry stakeholders more widely i.e., shooting estates, game rearing facility owners, vets, young game keepers etc. The student will analyse qualitative transcripts from this workshop and create a pilot draft of AMR communication materials. These pilot materials will be pre-tested with a sub-set of workshop and survey participants and reviewed by The GWCT stakeholders. Final feedback will allow the student to generate recommendations for future AMR communications in this sector
Year 1: Literature review and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey of antimicrobial usage in the gamebird industry, understanding of issue, what drives usage practices, and of other relevant husbandry practices. Initiation of AMR prevalence survey.
Year 2: Continuation of prevalence survey. Engagement activity (ie: focus group/workshop) to feedback and discuss KAP survey findings. Characterisation of antimicrobial resistance profiles from gut and respiratory samples (metagenomics and qPCR).
Year 3: Continue bioinformatic analysis of metagenomic data. Feedback current results in co-creation workshop. Develop and pre-test pilot materials for feeding back scientific findings to game industry stakeholders. Produce final recommendations for communication on AMR within the gamebird sector.
| Laura Glendinning | RDSVS - The Roslin Institute | Laura.Glendinning@roslin.ed.ac.uk | www.ed.ac.uk/profile/laura-glendinning |
| Jess Mitchell | GAAFS | jmitch2@ed.ac.uk |
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| Rufus Sage | Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust | rsage@gwct.org.uk | scholar.google.com/citations?user=VwvTTCMAAAAJ&hl=en |