Abstract
Antibiotics are freqeuently used in the livestock sector in low- and middle-income countries for treatment, prophylaxis, and growth promotion. However, there is limited information into the zoonotic prevalence and dissemination patterns of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within these environments. In this study we used pig farming in Thailand as a model to explore AMR; 156 pig farms were included, comprising of small-sized (<50 sows) and medium-sized (≥100 sows) farms, where bacterial isolates were selectively cultured from animal rectal and human fecal samples. Bacterial isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), and whole-genome sequencing. Our results indicate extensive zoonotic sharing of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by horizontal gene transfer. Resistance to multiple antibiotics was observed with higher prevalence in medium-scale farms. Zoonotic transmission of colistin resistance in small-scale farms had a dissemination gradient from pigs to handlers to non-livestock contacts. We highly recommend reducing the antimicrobial use in animals’ feeds and medications, especially the last resort drug colistin.
Highlights
Understanding zoonotic interactions is critical in controlling the plethora of infectious agents that affect our health as highlighted by COVID-19
Traditional antimicrobial usage (AMU) in the livestock sector aims to treat bacterial infections, provide prophylactic treatment to prevent infectious manifestations (McEwen and Fedorka−Cray, 2002; Lugsomya et al, 2018; McEwen and Collignon, 2018), and as growth promoters in animal feed to help generate higher yields (Hughes and Heritage, 2004; Van Boeckel et al, 2015). This paradigm is still followed in lowto middle-income countries (LMICs); whilst there has been a shift in many high-income countries where AMU is banned for growth promotion and limited to treatment of sick animals with veterinary prescription (Call to phase out prophylactic use of antimicrobials in livestock; No Author, 2011) and reinforced by different interventions depending on the country (Carmo et al, 2018)
To explore zoonotic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in E. coli isolates we examined 156 farms in Khon Kaen province of North-East Thailand, utilizing our livestock and human participant One Health study model
Summary
Understanding zoonotic interactions is critical in controlling the plethora of infectious agents that affect our health as highlighted by COVID-19. Traditional antimicrobial usage (AMU) in the livestock sector aims to treat bacterial infections, provide prophylactic treatment to prevent infectious manifestations (McEwen and Fedorka−Cray, 2002; Lugsomya et al, 2018; McEwen and Collignon, 2018), and as growth promoters in animal feed to help generate higher yields (Hughes and Heritage, 2004; Van Boeckel et al, 2015) This paradigm is still followed in lowto middle-income countries (LMICs); whilst there has been a shift in many high-income countries where AMU is banned for growth promotion and limited to treatment of sick animals with veterinary prescription (Call to phase out prophylactic use of antimicrobials in livestock; No Author, 2011) and reinforced by different interventions depending on the country (Carmo et al, 2018). In LMICs regulatory framework is often missing or compliance to existing ones is weak (Sommanustweechai et al, 2018), in addition there is often limited surveillance or data on AMU (CarriqueMas et al, 2020), and further complicated by many livestock producers understanding little about the agents they are using, and further exacerbated by a lack of knowledge in AMR (Ström et al, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
