Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in Meat Products-Current Concepts

Area of Science:

• Food safety and public health
• Veterinary medicine and microbiology
• One Health initiatives

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat with severe health and economic consequences.
• Understanding the emergence, spread, and mechanisms of AMR is critical, particularly its pathways through the food chain.
• Food products can act as vectors for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, necessitating a comprehensive approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current trends, consequences, and knowledge gaps in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• To analyze AMR in food-producing animals and the meat industry, including key pathogens and transmission routes.
• To explore strategies for AMR prevention, control, and surveillance within a One Health framework.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on AMR in food-producing animals and meat products.
• Analysis of existing and emerging AMR monitoring and surveillance programs.
• Integration of multidisciplinary research addressing AMR in diverse environmental and food-related niches.

Main Results:

• Identified key trends and consequences of AMR, with a focus on its transmission via food.
• Evaluated current strategies for preventing and controlling AMR in food-producing animals and the meat industry.
• Highlighted the importance of the One Health approach and integrated surveillance systems.

Conclusions:

• Effective AMR control requires integrated monitoring and surveillance across the environment, food, and human health continuum.
• Continuous improvement of databases like the NCBI Pathogen Detection Isolate Browser (NPDIB) is essential for tracking AMR genes.
• Future research should focus on identifying genes involved in stress response and AMR to develop targeted interventions.