Anti-microbial resistance is on the rise in populations around the world

Research indicates that India and China are among the major hotspots for anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in livestock. The highest resistance rates were observed with the most commonly used classes of anti-microbials in animal production—tetracyclines, sulphonamides and penicillin. There is a need for regions affected by the highest levels of AMR to take immediate action to preserve the efficacy of anti-microbials essential in human medicine by restricting their use in animal production.

AMR is the ability of microorganisms and parasites to stop an anti-microbial (like antibiotics, etc) from working against it. Therefore, standard treatments are rendered ineffective, infections continue and may spread to others. According to a study done by the journal, Science, there is an increase in AMR in chickens and pigs.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, and President, CMAAO, said, “In livestock production, antibiotics are given to animals for a number of reasons including therapeutic treatment, disease prophylaxis, and growth promotion. The administration of antibiotics to control or kill bacteria also leads to the emergence of antibiotic-resistance bacteria, which can spread from one organism to another. The question here is does the use of antibiotics in animals pose a threat to human health? The resistant bacteria may even spread from animals and/or the environment (groundwater/surface water/soil) to human beings. As the global demand for meat increases, the use of antibiotics on animals for slaughter is also spiralling. Not labelling them as antibiotic-treated is fraud and a violation of fundamental rights.”

Since 2000, meat production has plateaued in high-income countries but has grown by 68%, 64% and 40% in Asia, Africa and South America, respectively. Globally, 73% of all anti-microbials sold are used in animals raised for food. A growing body of evidence has linked this to the rise of anti-microbial-resistant infections, not just in animals but also in humans.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “In India, antibiotics are used widely in food animals as growth promoters and to prevent and treat infection. Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics has been especially common in poultry production. However, there is no regulatory provision regarding the use of antibiotics in livestock. Giving unnecessary antibiotics knowing that it may cause AMR is a matter of debate. But not labelling a livestock grown under the influence of antibiotics may be fraud and violation of fundamental rights.

A detailed Continued Medical Education (CME) Module on Antibiotic Resistance can be accessed at https://www.medtalks.in/CME/antibiotic.
Some tips to prevent AMR are as follows.

• Practice rational use of drugs antibiotics
• Use when needed and according to guidelines
• Avoid broad spectrum antibiotics without appropriate diagnosis
• Prevent infections with the use of vaccination and by improving basic hygiene including hand hygiene and infection control techniques and sanitation in health care settings as well as in the community
• Farmers and food industry must stop using antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy animals to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Related links
https://www.medtalks.in/articles/can-the-general-public-help-in-preventing-the-spread-of-amr
https://www.medtalks.in/articles/is-amr-a-public-health-emergency-today

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