A State-of-Art Review on Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens in Foods of Animal Origin: Risk Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Most of the foodborne microbial diseases are linked to foods of animal origin such as milk, meat, and poultry. Nowadays, the presence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens in foods is becoming an increasingly public health concern worldwide due to the overuse of antimicrobial drugs in animal feed. MDR pathogens can enter the food chain by posing a significant risk to both animals and consumers. MDR pathogens causing infections are untreatable due to their resistance to various antibiotics, primarily cephalosporin and carbapenems and to their extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing capability. In addition, foods of animal origin and food-related environments can be likely vehicles for spreading of multi-drug resistance genes, which accelerates the thriving of global antibiotic resistance. This paper reviews the role of foods of animal origin as a vehicle for MDR pathogens, stressing the contribution of food processes, environments, and storage conditions in dissemination and reduction of antimicrobial resistances (AMRs). Controlling the growth of MDR microorganisms and limiting the transmission/expression of AMR genes in food ecosystems could be an effective mitigation strategy, putting the focus on food processes as a part of the solution for AMR in foods. Bioprotective cultures are also a promising and environmentally friendly technology to reduce the incidence of MDR pathogens, though caution is taken as microbial starters and probiotics can also carry AMR. Finally, applying Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and predictive microbiology, within a Risk Assessment framework, is key to get insight into those mechanisms and conditions along the food chain favoring or reducing AMR.

Trends, Epidemiology, and Management of Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections in the Hospitalized Setting

“…Globally, antimicrobials dispensed to animals far exceed those to humans. In the United States alone, 80% of antibiotics sold are distributed for use in animals with 70% of those being clinically relevant in human medicine [65,66]. Although policy exists in most countries to limit unnecessary use in agriculture, these laws are rarely strictly enforced.…”

A Cross-Sectional Study of Dairy Cattle Metagenomes Reveals Increased Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals Farmed in a Heavy Metal Contaminated Environment

“…Furthermore, the detection of several resistance mechanisms warn for possible presence of multidrug resistant bacteria in feces and rumen that may contaminate raw milk (Tóth et al, 2020), carcasses, abattoir surfaces, workers, and consumers, which have been extensively documented in the literature (Schlegelová et al, 2004;Lavilla Lerma et al, 2014;Savin et al, 2020). AMR development is a natural event that can be exacerbated by therapy administration and/or growth promoters (Pérez-Rodríguez and Mercanoglu Taban, 2019). In the present research, we evaluate the long-term exposure to heavymetal contaminated drinking water in dairy cows as a potential new pathway to AMR development in farm animals.…”

Preliminary Assessment of the Mucosal Toxicity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oils on Novel Porcine Uterus Models

“…Antimicrobial resistance represents a global crisis strongly affecting public health, animal health & welfare and food security, and an integrated "One Health" response is essential to avoid this universal threat [1]. The use of antibiotics in food-producing animals plays a pivotal role as major driving force behind the rise in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance [2,3]. As reported for many species, antimicrobial resistance is also increasing within the swine production industry [4].…”