Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in animals – an ongoing issue

Antimicrobial resistance genes exist for thousands of years. However, since the mid of the last century, antimicrobial agents have been developed and used to treat bacterial infections in men and with some delay, in animals. This has led to selection of resistant bacteria. It is now seen as one of the most relevant problems for mankind. WHO, OIE and EMA/ECDC have defined critically important antimicrobial classes which shall be reserved for humans and huge efforts are taken to restrict the use of AM in food producing animals. The use of food producing animals is frequently blamed to be a fundamental reason for the widespread problems with AR in mankind. Recent scientific data provides evidence that there may be less relationship between the potential transmission of resistance via the food chain to humans. However, in the EU, this topic is now highly political, which is not good news. The recently observed resistance gene related to resistance to Colistin is the latest example. While prudent use of AM in animals and humans should be compulsory, all parts of the food chain (farm to fork) have made relevant progress: consumption of antimicrobials by animals has dropped in most markets (e.g. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark), where data is available and analysed. This is confirmed by ESVAC’s recently published data based on sales of AM by the animal health industry. Although WHO is fully supporting the “One Health” initiative, little is done on the “human” side. Sales are still growing; critically important antimicrobials are often prescribed unjustified. It is doubtful if the human health sector will take appropriate action as required, as the political support of the animal and human health sector appears unbalanced. However, the problems on the human side will only be controlled if appropriate action is taken within the “human” sector.