Antimicrobial Resistance and Food Animals: Influence of Livestock Environment on the Emergence and Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance

The emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance among human, animal and zoonotic pathogens pose an enormous threat to human health worldwide. The use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, and especially the use of large quantities of antibiotics in livestock for the purpose of growth promotion of food animals is believed to be contributing to the modern trend of the emergence and spread of bacteria with antibiotic resistant traits. To better control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance several countries from Western Europe implemented a ban for antibiotic use in livestock, specifically the use of antibiotics for growth promotion of food animals. This review article summarizes the recent knowledge of molecular acquisition of antimicrobial resistance and the effects of implementation of antibiotic growth promoter bans on the spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in animals and humans. In this article, we also discuss the main zoonotic transmission routes of antimicrobial resistance and novel approaches designed to prevent or slow down the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Finally, we provide future perspectives associated with the control and management of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.