[Antibiotic resistance: measures urgently needed].

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Public Health
• Veterinary Medicine
• Food Safety

Context:

• Rapidly increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health.
• Rising incidence of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms.
• Concerns link the use of antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry to the spread of AMR.

Purpose:

• To highlight the critical link between antimicrobial use in food-production animals and the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
• To advocate for immediate and drastic reductions in antibiotic usage in animal husbandry.
• To emphasize the need for restricted 'rescue' antibiotic use in human healthcare.

Summary:

• Antimicrobial resistance is escalating, with limited new agents available.
• The widespread use of antimicrobials in food-production animals is a key driver of resistance, including ESBL-producing organisms.
• Current usage patterns are unsustainable and necessitate urgent interventions in both human and animal health sectors.

Impact:

• Calls for dramatic reduction in antibiotic use in animal husbandry.
• Stresses the need for government and consumer support for sustainable food production.
• Highlights the necessity of restricting the use of critical antibiotics like carbapenems in human medicine.