Highlights
- Antibiotics are used extensively in the swine industry.
- Pigs can be a source of antibiotic resistant organisms that impact on human health.
- Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria are an increasing problem.
- Resistance genes on plasmids enhance transmissibility of ESBLs.
- Antibiotic resistant strains of zoonotic organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus suis are of concern.
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria associated with pigs not only affects pig production but also has an impact on human health through the transfer of resistant organisms and associated genes via the food chain. This can compromise treatment of human infections. In the past most attention was paid to glycopeptide and streptogramin resistance in enterococci, fluoroquinolone resistance in campylobacter and multi-drug resistance in Escherichia coli and salmonella. While these are still important the focus has shifted to ESBL producing organisms selected by the use of ceftiofur and cefquinome in pigs.
In addition Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) suddenly emerged in 2007. We also need to consider multi-resistant strains of Streptococcus suis. Environmental contamination arising from piggery wastewater and spreading of manure slurry on pastures is also a growing problem.
Author: Mary D Barton
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/
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