Association between Antibiotic Consumption and Resistance in Mink Production

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Animal Health Economics

Background:

• Antibiotic consumption is a primary driver of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Mink farming's seasonal cycle influences age-related diseases and antibiotic use patterns.
• Mink farms provide a model to study antibiotic consumption and resistance dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor antibiotic resistance in mink farms throughout a production cycle.
• To investigate associations between antibiotic consumption and the prevalence of resistant bacteria.
• To analyze the impact of short-term and long-term antibiotic use on resistance.

Main Methods:

• Studied 24 mink farms in Denmark, Iceland, and The Netherlands.
• Isolated and susceptibility tested *Staphylococcus delphini* and *Escherichia coli* from carcasses and feces.
• Utilized multivariable generalized linear mixed models to assess associations between antibiotic use and resistance.

Main Results:

• Significant associations found between specific antibiotic use and resistant non-wildtype (NWT) isolates.
• Short-term tetracycline use linked to tetracycline-resistant *E. coli*.
• Long-term macrolide and tetracycline use linked to resistant *S. delphini*.

Conclusions:

• Antibiotic resistance is complex, with significant associations between consumption and resistance observed.
• Resistant bacteria are present on farms even without recent antibiotic use, indicating persistence and environmental spread.
• Routine surveillance and prudent antibiotic use are crucial for managing antimicrobial resistance in mink farming.