{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T13:01:32Z","timestamp":1785416492259,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Veterinary World","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,6]],"date-time":"2026-01-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767657600000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Vet. World"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,31]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major One Health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in humans, animals, and the environment. Poultry production is recognized as a key reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, yet few studies in Kenya examine AMU and AMR across interconnected human\u2013animal\u2013environment domains. This study assessed AMU patterns among poultry farmers in Kiambu County and characterized phenotypic resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from humans, chickens, and chicken environments. \n\nMaterials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2024, involving 102 poultry farms. Farm demographics and AMU data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Archived E. coli (n = 92) and Enterococcus spp. (n = 101) isolates from chicken handlers\u2019 hands, chickens, and environmental samples were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby\u2013Bauer method per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2024 guidelines. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression with false discovery rate correction, were used to assess associations between AMU and phenotypic resistance. \n\nResults: Macrolides (69%), tetracyclines (48%), and sulfonamides (21%) were the most commonly used antimicrobials; 7% of farms reported colistin use. Among E. coli isolates, resistance was highest to ampicillin (77%), tetracycline (72%), and trimethoprim\u2013sulfamethoxazole (49%), with 35% exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). No carbapenem resistance was detected. Enterococcus isolates showed high erythromycin resistance (61%) and moderate ciprofloxacin resistance (26%), with 6.9% exhibiting MDR; no vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were observed. Penicillin use strongly predicted ampicillin resistance in both organisms, whereas sulfonamide use was associated with reduced trimethoprim\u2013sulfamethoxazole resistance. Macrolide use did not correlate with erythromycin resistance. \n\nConclusion: High AMU in poultry farming, particularly of macrolides, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides, has created significant selection pressure, contributing to MDR emergence across One Health interfaces. Detection of resistance in humans, poultry, and shared environments underscores the bidirectional risk of AMR transmission. Strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, regulation of critically important antimicrobials, and enhanced farm hygiene are essential to mitigate AMR. These findings directly support Kenya\u2019s Vision 2030 and SDGs targeting health, responsible production, and environmental protection. \n\nKeywords: Antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance, poultry farming, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, One Health, Kenya.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.14202\/vetworld.2026.1-14","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,11]],"date-time":"2026-01-11T16:15:23Z","timestamp":1768148123000},"page":"1","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14202\/vetworld.2022.policies","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Cross-domain antimicrobial resistance in poultry farming: A One Health assessment of antimicrobial use and multidrug resistance in Kiambu County, Kenya"],"prefix":"10.14202","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4177-4075","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ann Kangai","family":"Munene","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05p2z3x69","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Chuo Kikuu cha Kenyatta"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-0685-191X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Peter Muiruri","family":"Mwangi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/03qegss47","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8573-5345","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lilly Caroline","family":"Bebora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/02y9nww90","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Chuo Kikuu cha Nairobi"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7423-0341","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christine Minoo","family":"Mbindyo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/02y9nww90","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Chuo Kikuu cha Nairobi"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"John Muthini","family":"Maingi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05p2z3x69","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Chuo Kikuu cha Kenyatta"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"5308","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"1.\tTang KWK, Millar BC, Moore JE. 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