Chapter 9 The farm animal as potential reservoir of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the food chain

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of the farm animals as potential reservoir of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the food chain. For the safety of food of animal origin and for the prevention of severe infections without antibiotic treatment options, the reduction of antibiotic resistance in animal husbandry to a minimum is essential. The basic routes for the transfer of antibiotic resistances via food or food animals are direct contribution via antibiotic residues or chemotherapeutics in foods; by ingestion of commensal bacteria that can transfer their antibiotic resistance genes to pathogens in the human gastrointestinal tract; and ingestion of already resistant, real pathogens. For selection of technologically used strains, it is important to determine their resistance profile and their potential for transfer. Antibiotic resistance is the result of genetic change in the microorganism, either by mutation or by genetic transfer. The resulting resistances are referred to as intrinsic or acquired, respectively. Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, are used in food animals to prevent or treat disease or to promote growth. Therapeutic use is when animals are diseased and antibiotics are administered to cure the infection. The transfer of the resistance is dependent on the nature of the resistance mechanism. Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) are used to enhance the growth of young animals in order to gain the slaughter weight at an early stage.