The Food Production Environment and the Development of Antimicrobial Resistance in Human Pathogens of Animal Origin.

Sanath Kumar,Manjusha Lekshmi,Parvathi Ammini,Manuel F Varela

doi:10.3390/microorganisms5010011

Abstract

Food-borne pathogens are a serious human health concern worldwide, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant food pathogens has further confounded this problem. Once-highly-efficacious antibiotics are gradually becoming ineffective against many important pathogens, resulting in severe treatment crises. Among several reasons for the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance, their overuse in animal food production systems for purposes other than treatment of infections is prominent. Many pathogens of animals are zoonotic, and therefore any development of resistance in pathogens associated with food animals can spread to humans through the food chain. Human infections by antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are increasing. Considering the human health risk due to emerging antibiotic resistance in food animal–associated bacteria, many countries have banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters and the application in animals of antibiotics critically important in human medicine. Concerted global efforts are necessary to minimize the use of antimicrobials in food animals in order to control the development of antibiotic resistance in these systems and their spread to humans via food and water.

Highlights

Antimicrobial compounds, which include antibiotics and chemicals intended to kill or halt the proliferation of unwanted bacteria, have historically changed the perspective of controlling microorganisms
The actual impact of the effect of antimicrobial use and the resultant resistance development by human pathogenic bacteria is a topic of intense debate [127,128], the worldwide concern of the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens has led to the banning of antimicrobial use for growth promotion in animals by many countries
Considering the potential link between the use of antibiotics and their effect on human health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the termination of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) belonging to classes of antibiotics used in human treatment and cautious application of other AGPs with routine monitoring of resistance development [129], emphasizing the need for better health management of animals and avoidance in the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters and prophylactics

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial compounds, which include antibiotics and chemicals intended to kill or halt the proliferation of unwanted bacteria, have historically changed the perspective of controlling microorganisms. It is well established that the use of antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture results in the development of resistance in human pathogens directly or indirectly, as susceptible bacteria die, leaving behind resistant variants which in turn predominate [12]. Human infections by such resistant bacteria become either untreatable or the treatment becomes prolonged, complicated and expensive [13]. The morbidity and mortalities due to various infectious diseases in densely populated, low-income countries are clearly increasing, and their treatment is critically affected by the development of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria. The use of antibiotics for short-term gains has inflicted a long-lasting negative impact on human health and in the environment [14]

Mechanisms of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance

Historical Perspective

Current Trends in the Use of Antimicrobials in Food Production Environments

Findings

Conclusions