Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevails as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In light of this pressing global concern, researchers of the Leibniz Research Alliance INFECTIONS have now added another puzzle piece to the bigger picture of AMR. Their study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, sheds light on the intricate interplay of factors contributing to the proliferation of AMR in animal farming.
Traditionally, the rampant use of antibiotics alongside inadequate hygiene and biosecurity protocols, has been implicated in facilitating the spread of AMR. However, the findings revealed a more complex reality. Despite rigorous hygiene interventions, the colonization of piglets with resistant pathogens prior to arrival, the movement of flies within the barn, and antibiotic treatments for bacterial infections all hindered the effectiveness of hygiene improvements alone.
The study underscores the necessity for a comprehensive approach to AMR management in piglet rearing facilities. While improving hygiene remains crucial, it is insufficient as a standalone measure. Instead, the research emphasizes the need for integrated strategies that address the diverse factors contributing to the presence and dissemination of AMR. This pioneering work marks a significant step forward in combating the global threat of antibiotic resistance in commercial animal husbandry.
To read more about the project in general, please refer to IPT5.
Publication:
Megarsa Jaleta, Vera Junker, Baban Kolte, Maria Börger, Doreen Werner, Claudia Dolsdorf, Julia Schwenker, Christina Hölzel, Jürgen Zentek, Thomas Amon, Ulrich Nübel, Tina Kabelitz, Improvement of weaned pigs barn hygiene to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance, Front. Microbiol., 14 May 2024, 15; https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1393923
Contact:
Megarsa Jaleta
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam
Email: