Veterinary use and antibiotic resistance

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Antimicrobials are widely used in animal agriculture, with an estimated 50% of global antimicrobial consumption serving veterinary purposes.
• The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria within animal populations is a significant concern.
• Resistant bacteria in animals can include food-borne pathogens, opportunistic pathogens, and commensal bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the contribution of veterinary antimicrobial use to the global burden of antibiotic resistance.
• To underscore the shared mechanisms of antibiotic resistance between animal and human bacteria.
• To document the pathways for the spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine.
• Analysis of studies on antibiotic resistance gene transfer between animal and human microfloras.
• Examination of documented pathways for resistant bacteria transmission.

Main Results:

• A substantial proportion of antimicrobials are used in veterinary medicine, driving resistance.
• Identical antibiotic resistance genes and transfer mechanisms are observed in animal and human bacteria.
• Food, water, and direct contact facilitate the spread of resistant bacteria from agricultural settings to human populations.

Conclusions:

• The use of antibiotics in agriculture and veterinary medicine contributes to the accumulation of resistant bacteria.
• The interconnectedness of animal and human environments facilitates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.
• Addressing veterinary antimicrobial use is crucial for mitigating the public health threat of antibiotic resistance.