Fluoroquinolone Antimicrobials for Chickens

Abstract

The Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ) conducted a risk assessment on antimicrobial-resistant bacteria resulting from the use of veterinary medicinal products, of which the active ingredient is fluoroquinolone, for the use of chicken growth. The hazards identified are Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli which acquired antimicrobial resistance as a consequence of using the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents in chicken. FSCJ considers that the following possibilities cannot be neglected: 1) selection of hazards as a result of the use of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in chicken; 2) human exposure to the hazards through consumption of chicken-derived foods; 3) loss or reduction of the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment of human diseases. Particularly regarding Campylobacter spp., the emergence of antimicrobial resistance was a great concern in the release assessment. The food contamination with Campylobacter spp. including the hazard was also the great concern in the exposure assessment. The risk for each hazard was, however, judged to be “Medium” as a result of the overall estimation of the risk. Regarding antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, detailed scientific findings and information are not sufficiently available at this point, and an internationally accepted methodology for the risk assessment has not yet been established. Therefore, it is necessary to keep up with the latest scientific findings and information including the development of discussion in international organizations.