DRAFT PLS: Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria

What is it about?

Antimicrobial resistance – an overview - Antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, are substances used to kill microorganisms or to stop them from growing and multiplying. - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) refers to the ability of microorganisms to withstand antimicrobial treatments. - The regular use of antimicrobials can lead to the emergence and spread of microorganisms which are resistant to them, rendering treatment ineffective and posing a serious risk to public health. - When AMR occurs in zoonotic bacteria (that is, bacteria causing human infections present in animals and food), it can also compromise the effective treatment of infectious diseases caused by such bacteria in humans.

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Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

What are the main outcomes? - The reported findings and trends are consistent with those from the preceding years. - AMR in Campylobacter and in some strains of Salmonella bacteria remains high. - Campylobacteriosis was the most reported zoonosis in the EU in 2020 and the most frequently reported cause of foodborne illness. - Campylobacter bacteria from humans and poultry continue to show very high resistance to ciprofloxacin, a commonly used antimicrobial in humans. - Combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials - defined as resistance to two different antimicrobials - is low in Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli. - While there are individual variations across the EU, key outcome indicators show that significant progress has been made in reducing AMR in food-producing animals in several Member States. - Resistance to carbapenem (CP) antimicrobials is extremely rare as seen by the small number (fewer than 5) of carbapenem (CP) resistant isolates identified. CP antimicrobials are reserved for treatment of severe, high-risk infections involving multidrug-resistant pathogens in humans and are not permitted to be used in food-producing animals. Implications and recommendations - Prudence in the use of antimicrobials in all sectors, including agriculture, is necessary. - CP resistant isolates need to be monitored closely as it is a last line antimicrobial not used in food-producing animals. Sources of CP resistant isolates in livestock should be investigated. - Differences in the occurrence of AMR in Member States can relate to historical or current patterns of antimicrobial use but may also highlight differences in husbandry or other procedures which assist in the prevention of AMR.