Antibiotics in Livestock and Their Effects on the Human Health: Mini Review

Abstract

An increase in livestock then led to unsanitary conditions and disease in the animals, prompting producers to administer constant low doses of antibiotics to their animals as a prophylactic to prevent disease. However, the use of antibiotics in food production also led to the spread and development of antimicrobial resistance. Likewise, extensive antibiotic resistance has been reported for bacteria, including human pathogens, from farmed fish and market shrimp. Some of the antibiotic resistance genes identified in food bacteria have also been identified in humans, providing indirect evidence for transfer by food handling and/or consumption. However, therapeutic uses of antibiotics may cause an adverse effect on normal human microflora. Antibiotics can decrease the number of bacteria and sometimes kill the beneficial bacterial species. Basically, broad-spectrum antibiotics may have a potential adverse effect on wide range of gut flora resulting gastrointestinal disturbance. In developed countries, an assortment of systems and programs to monitor antibiotic use, as well as antibiotics resistance in food animals, food products, and humans have been implemented. Such initiatives have led to the substantial decrease of antibiotic consumption and rates of resistance in these settings. This review provides updated information on the antibiotics resistance in livestock and human health.