Prevalence, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial pathogens in chicken meat samples from India: A systematic review

A systematic review of 32 studies on chicken meat in India found alarming levels of bacterial contamination and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were the most frequently detected pathogens, showing high resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and streptomycin. Over 60% of isolates were multidrug-resistant, and resistance genes such as bla, tet, and sul families were common, along with virulence genes like invA and icaA. These findings highlight an urgent need for stronger AMR surveillance, tighter antibiotic regulation in poultry production, and a coordinated One Health approach to reduce AMR transmission through the food chain.