One Health–Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Producing Animals

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Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern. Over the last years, more quantitative data have become available related to the transmission of resistant bacteria (or resistance genes) between humans, animals and the environment. Most obvious is the transfer of AMR from animals to humans with food borne pathogens such as resistant Salmonella spp. (e.g. S. Typhimurium DT104) and Campylobacter spp. (e.g. fluoroquinolone resistance). Regarding livestockassociated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA), it is without discussion that occupationally exposed people have a considerable chance to test positive for LA-MRSA. For transfer of other resistance markers (e.g. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases) the transmission between animals and humans is more difficult to quantify as this is not simply dependent of the transmission of bacteria but also dependent on the transmission of plasmids containing the resistance genes. In the Netherlands, following the One Health approach, a consortium combined all recent ESBL-data from humans, animals and the environment. In this study it was estimated that between 1–10 % of ESBLs in humans has a (direct) source in animals. It should be noted however that this only a specific type of resistance in a very specific context (a highly developed country at a time when AMU was decreasing) and these are estimates because transfer of AMR is very complex. In the presentation more examples will be presented as well as the actions undertaken to reduce veterinary AMU in the Netherlands with an emphasis on pig farming. These actions have led to an almost 60 % reduction in AMU in pig farming. New initiatives are currently aiming to reduce AMU on the higher than average antimicrobial users via tailored interventions.

How to Cite:

Speksnijder, D. & Wagenaar, J. A., (2019) “Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Food Producing Animals”, SafePork 13(1), 35. doi: https://doi.org//safepork.11142