scholarly journals Old Problems and New Solutions: Antibiotic Alternatives in Food Animal Production

Author(s):  
Celine Stoica ◽  
Georgina Cox

The antimicrobial resistance crisis is a Global Health challenge that impacts humans, animals, and the environment alike. In response to increased demands for animal protein and by-products, there has been a substantial increase in the use of antimicrobial agents in the animal industry. Indeed, they are extensively used to prevent, control, and/or treat disease in animals. In addition to infection control, in-feed supplementation with antimicrobials became common practice for growth promotion of livestock. Unfortunately, the global overuse of antimicrobials has contributed to the emergence and spread of resistance. As such, many countries have implemented policies and approaches to eliminate the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in food animals, which necessitates the need for alternate and One Health strategies to maintain animal health and welfare. This review summarizes the antimicrobial resistance crisis from Global Health and One Health perspectives. In addition, we outline examples of potential alternate strategies to circumvent antimicrobial use in animal husbandry practices, including antivirulence agents, bacteriophages, and nutritional measures to control bacterial pathogens. Overall, these alternate strategies require further research and development efforts, including assessment of efficacy and the associated development, manufacturing, and labor costs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Collignon ◽  
Scott McEwen

Approaching any issue from a One Health perspective necessitates looking at the interactions of people, domestic animals, wildlife, plants, and our environment. For antimicrobial resistance this includes antimicrobial use (and abuse) in the human, animal and environmental sectors. More importantly, the spread of resistant bacteria and resistance determinants within and between these sectors and globally must be addressed. Better managing this problem includes taking steps to preserve the continued effectiveness of existing antimicrobials such as trying to eliminate their inappropriate use, particularly where they are used in high volumes. Examples are the mass medication of animals with critically important antimicrobials for humans, such as third generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, and the long term, in-feed use of antimicrobials, such colistin, tetracyclines and macrolides, for growth promotion. In people it is essential to better prevent infections, reduce over-prescribing and over-use of antimicrobials and stop resistant bacteria from spreading by improving hygiene and infection control, drinking water and sanitation. Pollution from inadequate treatment of industrial, residential and farm waste is expanding the resistome in the environment. Numerous countries and several international agencies have now included a One Health Approach within their action plans to address antimicrobial resistance. Necessary actions include improvements in antimicrobial use, better regulation and policy, as well as improved surveillance, stewardship, infection control, sanitation, animal husbandry, and finding alternatives to antimicrobials.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Angela Pieri ◽  
Richard Aschbacher ◽  
Giada Fasani ◽  
Jole Mariella ◽  
Lorenzo Brusetti ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most complex global health challenges today: decades of overuse and misuse in human medicine, animal health, agriculture, and dispersion into the environment have produced the dire consequence of infections to become progressively untreatable. Infection control and prevention (IPC) procedures, the reduction of overuse, and the misuse of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine are the cornerstones required to prevent the spreading of resistant bacteria. Purified drinking water and strongly improved sanitation even in remote areas would prevent the pollution from inadequate treatment of industrial, residential, and farm waste, as all these situations are expanding the resistome in the environment. The One Health concept addresses the interconnected relationships between human, animal, and environmental health as a whole: several countries and international agencies have now included a One Health Approach within their action plans to address AMR. Improved antimicrobial usage, coupled with regulation and policy, as well as integrated surveillance, infection control and prevention, along with antimicrobial stewardship, sanitation, and animal husbandry should all be integrated parts of any new action plan targeted to tackle AMR on the Earth. Since AMR is found in bacteria from humans, animals, and in the environment, we briefly summarize herein the current concepts of One Health as a global challenge to enable the continued use of antibiotics.


2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (20) ◽  
pp. 6566-6576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moussa S. Diarra ◽  
Fred G. Silversides ◽  
Fatoumata Diarrassouba ◽  
Jane Pritchard ◽  
Luke Masson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The effects of feed supplementation with the approved antimicrobial agents bambermycin, penicillin, salinomycin, and bacitracin or a combination of salinomycin plus bacitracin were evaluated for the incidence and distribution of antibiotic resistance in 197 commensal Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens over 35 days. All isolates showed some degree of multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance to tetracycline (68.5%), amoxicillin (61.4%), ceftiofur (51.3%), spectinomycin (47.2%), and sulfonamides (42%) was most frequent. The levels of resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin were 33.5, 35.5, and 25.3%, respectively. The overall resistance levels decreased from day 7 to day 35 (P < 0.001). Comparing treatments, the levels of resistance to ceftiofur, spectinomycin, and gentamicin (except for resistance to bacitracin treatment) were significantly higher in isolates from chickens receiving feed supplemented with salinomycin than from the other feeds (P < 0.001). Using a DNA microarray analysis capable of detecting commonly found antimicrobial resistance genes, we characterized 104 tetracycline-resistant E. coli isolates from 7- to 28-day-old chickens fed different growth promoters. Results showed a decrease in the incidence of isolates harboring tet(B), bla TEM, sulI, and aadA and class 1 integron from days 7 to 35 (P < 0.01). Of the 84 tetracycline-ceftiofur-resistant E. coli isolates, 76 (90.5%) were positive for bla CMY-2. The proportions of isolates positive for sulI, aadA, and integron class 1 were significantly higher in salinomycin-treated chickens than in the control or other treatment groups (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that multiantibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates can be found in broiler chickens regardless of the antimicrobial growth promoters used. However, the phenotype and the distribution of resistance determinants in E. coli can be modulated by feed supplementation with some of the antimicrobial agents used in broiler chicken production.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 660
Author(s):  
Xuebin Xu ◽  
Silpak Biswas ◽  
Guimin Gu ◽  
Mohammed Elbediwi ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
...  

Salmonella spp. are recognized as important foodborne pathogens globally. Salmonella enterica serovar Rissen is one of the important Salmonella serovars linked with swine products in numerous countries and can transmit to humans by food chain contamination. Worldwide emerging S. Rissen is considered as one of the most common pathogens to cause human salmonellosis. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance properties and patterns of Salmonella Rissen isolates obtained from humans, animals, animal-derived food products, and the environment in China. Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 311 S. Rissen isolates from different provinces or province-level cities in China were included here. Bacterial isolates were characterized by serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 14 clinically relevant antimicrobials were obtained by broth microdilution method. S. Rissen isolates from humans were found dominant (67%; 208/311). S. Rissen isolates obtained from human patients were mostly found with diarrhea. Other S. Rissen isolates were acquired from food (22%; 69/311), animals (8%; 25/311), and the environment (3%; 9/311). Most of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and ampicillin. The S. Rissen isolates showed susceptibility against ceftriaxone, ceftiofur, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. In total, 92% of the S. Rissen isolates were multidrug-resistant and ASSuT (27%), ACT (25%), ACSSuT (22%), ACSSuTAmc (11%), and ACSSuTFox (7%) patterns were among the most prevalent antibiotic resistance patterns found in this study. The widespread dissemination of antimicrobial resistance could have emerged from misuse of antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in China. These findings could be useful for rational antimicrobial usage against Salmonella Rissen infections.


2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick F. Mc Dermott ◽  
Robert D. Walker ◽  
David G. White

After six decades of widespread antibiotic use, bacterial pathogens of human and animal origin are becoming increasingly resistant to many antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial resistance develops through a limited number of mechanisms: (a) permeability changes in the bacterial cell wall/membrane, which restrict antimicrobial access to target sites; (b) active efflux of the antimicrobial from the cell; (c) mutation in the target site; (d) enzymatic modification or degradation of the antimicrobial; and (e) acquisition of alternative metabolic pathways to those inhibited by the drug. Numerous bacterial antimicrobial resistance phenotypes result from the acquisition of external genes that may provide resistance to an entire class of antimicrobials. These genes are frequently associated with large transferable extrachromosomal DNA elements called plasmids, on which may be other mobile DNA elements such as transposons and integrons. An array of different resistance genes may accumulate on a single mobile element, presenting a situation in which multiple antibiotic resistance can be acquired via a single genetic event. The versatility of bacterial populations in adapting to toxic environments, along with their facility in exchanging DNA, signifies that antibiotic resistance is an inevitable biological phenomenon that will likely continue to be a chronic medical problem. Successful management of current antimicrobials, and the continued development of new ones, is vital to protecting human and animal health against bacterial pathogens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolphe Mader ◽  
Peter Damborg ◽  
Jean-Philippe Amat ◽  
Björn Bengtsson ◽  
Clémence Bourély ◽  
...  

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) should be tackled through a One Health approach, as stated in the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on AMR. We describe the landscape of AMR surveillance in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and underline a gap regarding veterinary medicine. Current AMR surveillance efforts are of limited help to veterinary practitioners and policymakers seeking to improve antimicrobial stewardship in animal health. We propose to establish the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance network in Veterinary medicine (EARS-Vet) to report on the AMR situation, follow AMR trends and detect emerging AMR in selected bacterial pathogens of animals. This information could be useful to advise policymakers, explore efficacy of interventions, support antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, (re-)evaluate marketing authorisations of antimicrobials, generate epidemiological cut-off values, assess risk of zoonotic AMR transmission and evaluate the burden of AMR in animal health. EARS-Vet could be integrated with other AMR monitoring systems in the animal and medical sectors to ensure a One Health approach. Herein, we present a strategy to establish EARS-Vet as a network of national surveillance systems and highlight challenges of data harmonisation and bias. Strong political commitment at national and EU/EEA levels is required for the success of EARS-Vet.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (87) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.I. Stetsko ◽  
V.P. Muzyka ◽  
V.M. Hunchak

The resistance of microorganisms, bacterial pathogens, to antimicrobials is a global problem in both healthcare and veterinary medicine. It is believed that the main reason for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in humans is the transfer of antibiotic resistant strains of microorganisms or genes, determinants of resistance, through products of animal origin from productive animals to humans. Thus, the main way of antimicrobial resistance containment is to restrain and minimize it through the prudent use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine, especially those that are critically important for productive animals. In addition, some classes of antibacterial substances and antibiotics, that are widely used in humane medicine, are used in veterinary medicine. The need to use and preserve these important therapeutic agents is relevant from the point of view of the concept «One Health». The article provides a list of all antibacterial substances used by productive animals for their importance in veterinary medicine, developed by a special group of experts of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Any antimicrobial agent authorized for use in veterinary medicine for productive animals, in accordance with the criteria for quality, safety and efficacy as defined in Section 6.9 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, is considered to be important for veterinary medicine. All the antimicrobial substances used for productive animals are divided in this list on critical, very important and important for veterinary medicine. Attention was also drawn to the peculiarities of the use of critical antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine, especially those recognized as critical in humane medicine. These include aminoglycosides, cephalosporins of the 3rd and 4th generation, fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, macrolides, some penicillins and polymyxins. The article also describes the classification of critical antimicrobials by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Panel of Experts on Antimicrobials (AMEG) of the WHO based on the risk profile for humans through the development of antimicrobial resistance after application to productive animals. Such an assessment will give veterinary practitioners an important justification when they make decisions about the clinical treatment of bacterial infections and the responsible appointment of antimicrobial therapy. This will help to reach the balance among the achievement of the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy of productive animals, reducing of the selective pressure on the development of antibiotic resistance and ensuring of a high level of human health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 978-985
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Zorlescu ◽  
Stelian Baraitareanu ◽  
Doina Danes

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the topical issues that is part of the “One Health” concept with implications for animal health, human health, and even environmental “health”. At the European Commission (EC) level, legislation has been issued for the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and these rules are applicable by each Member State (MS). For the proper implementation of the above legislation, audits are carried out in Member States that have developed programs on antimicrobial resistance that go beyond the EC's requests.OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was the analysis of existing data reports, legislation and recommendations on antimicrobial resistance through which surveillance and monitoring is carried out in the European Union (EU).  METHODS: The audit reports issued between 2015 and 2017 by the Food Veterinary Office (FVO), as well as the articles and studies issued by the EC through the antimicrobial resistance institutes were analysed.RESULTS: The FVO conducted audits to “evaluate the monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and commensal bacteria in certain food-producing animal populations and food” in 12 MS, and audits to “gather information on the prudent use of antimicrobials in animals” in 8 MS. These are countries that have very well implemented the EC's requests and included the “One Health” perspective in antimicrobial resistance programs. Some Member States have risk management strategies for reducing antimicrobial resistance for more than 20 years. They have carried out research projects on antimicrobial resistance. There is an action plan on antimicrobial resistance at the EC level, but their implementation and understanding up to the level of all actors involved in this issue varies from MS to MS. Antimicrobial resistance in the animal population is a topical issue, notoriety among the actors involved, as well as an interdisciplinary problem with indirect results. The same principle of antimicrobial resistance in animals is applicable to humans and the environment as such, this problem can be embedded in the concept of “One Health”. The overall objective of the MS is to generate knowledge and tools to “combat” antimicrobial resistance in animals, humans and even the environment.CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, in order to improve and optimize antimicrobial resistance programs, a “good practice guide” can be achieved by MS with extensive experience in this area, to be used by MS with a more precarious application and over time to harmonize antimicrobial resistance programs within the EU.


Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 346
Author(s):  
Marcello Iriti ◽  
Sara Vitalini ◽  
Elena Maria Varoni

Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the most relevant threats to global public health and food security, affecting anyone, of any age, in any country and is responsible for longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and increased mortality. Resistant microorganisms are present in humans, animals, food and the environment, and, therefore, the One Health approach is very promising to counteract antimicrobial resistance, since human health and animal health are connected to each other and with the environment and the latter a potential source of resistant microorganisms. In this context, the need for novel antimicrobial drugs has stimulated the exploration of plant products as a source of novel phytotherapeutics able to reverse antimicrobial resistance when used in combination with conventional antibiotic drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Palma ◽  
Bruno Tilocca ◽  
Paola Roncada

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most important human- and animal health-threatening issues worldwide. Bacterial capability to face antimicrobial compounds is an ancient feature, enabling bacterial survival over time and the dynamic surrounding. Moreover, bacteria make use of their evolutionary machinery to adapt to the selective pressure exerted by antibiotic treatments, resulting in reduced efficacy of the therapeutic intervention against human and animal infections. The mechanisms responsible for both innate and acquired AMR are thoroughly investigated. Commonly, AMR traits are included in mobilizable genetic elements enabling the homogeneous diffusion of the AMR traits pool between the ecosystems of diverse sectors, such as human medicine, veterinary medicine, and the environment. Thus, a coordinated multisectoral approach, such as One-Health, provides a detailed comprehensive picture of the AMR onset and diffusion. Following a general revision of the molecular mechanisms responsible for both innate and acquired AMR, the present manuscript focuses on reviewing the contribution of veterinary medicine to the overall issue of AMR. The main sources of AMR amenable to veterinary medicine are described, driving the attention towards the indissoluble cross-talk existing between the diverse ecosystems and sectors and their cumulative cooperation to this warning phenomenon.


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