ECDC/EFSA/EMA first joint report on the integrated analysis of the consumption of antimicrobial agents and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from humans and food-producing animals

Abstract

The ECDC, the EFSA and the EMA have for the first time jointly explored associations between consumption of antimicrobials in humans and food‐producing animals, and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from humans and food‐producing animals, using 2011 and 2012 data currently available from their relevant five EU monitoring networks. Combined data on antimicrobial consumption and corresponding resistance in animals and humans for EU MSs and reporting countries were analysed using logistic regression models for selected combinations of bacteria and antimicrobials. A summary indicator of the proportion of resistant bacteria in the main food‐producing animal species was calculated for the analysis, as consumption data in food‐producing animals were not available at the species level. Comparison of antimicrobial consumption data in animals and humans in 2012, both expressed in milligrams per kilogram of estimated biomass, revealed that overall antimicrobial consumption was higher in animals than in humans, although contrasting situations were observed between countries. The consumption of several antimicrobials extensively used in animal husbandry was higher in animals than in humans, while consumption of antimicrobials critically important for human medicine (such as fluoroquinolones and 3rd‐ and 4th‐generation cephalosporins) was higher in humans. In both humans and animals, positive associations between consumption of antimicrobials and the corresponding resistance in bacteria were observed for most of the combinations investigated. In some cases, a positive association was also found between antimicrobial consumption in animals and resistance in bacteria from humans. While highlighting findings of concern, these results should be interpreted with caution owing to current data limitations and the complexity of the AMR phenomenon, which is influenced by several factors besides antimicrobial consumption. Recommendations to address current data limitations for analyses of this type were identified. In any case, responsible use of antimicrobials in both humans and animals should be promoted.

Campylobacter coli in Organic and Conventional Pig Production in France and Sweden: Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance

“…The results of the current study are globally consistent with the significant positive associations between consumption of macrolides in animals in different European countries and resistance in C. coli and C. jejuni in animals in these countries, as reported in the joint ECDC/EFSA/EMA report on integrated analysis of antimicrobial consumption and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (ECDC et al, 2015). However, the authors of the report note that there are limitations to their study since it is based on consumption data for all species of food-producing animals and on only a small number of countries reporting resistance data for Campylobacter .…”

Characteristics of Quinolone Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Humans, Animals, and the Environment in the Czech Republic

“…According to the combined data of ECDC, EFSA, EMA (ECDC, EFSA, and EMA, 2015), the consumption rate of fluoroquinolones reached 3.2 tons in primary care sector in the Czech Republic in 2012. The same data reported that 1.2 tons of fluoroquinolones were used in food producing animals in the country.…”

“…The same data reported that 1.2 tons of fluoroquinolones were used in food producing animals in the country. However, the consumption of this class of antibiotics is still relatively low compared to other countries such as Germany, France, or Italy (ECDC, EFSA, and EMA, 2015). …”

“…Unfortunately, the extensive use has led to the increase of the rate of E. coli isolates resistant to fluoroquinolones all over the world (Lautenbach et al, 2004; Dalhoff, 2012). Resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin was reported as high or extremely high in isolates from broilers in European countries (ECDC, EFSA, and EMA, 2015). E. coli isolates resistant to fluoroquinolones has been described in food-producing and companion animals (Platell et al, 2011; Gosling et al, 2012; Literak et al, 2013; Agabou et al, 2016) as well as in wild animals and the environment (Jiménez Gómez et al, 2004; Colomer-Lluch et al, 2013).…”

Assessment of the Risk to Public Health due to Use of Antimicrobials in Pigs—An Example of Pleuromutilins in Denmark

“…Data from DANMAP 2015 were obtained to describe the prevalence of resistance observed in Denmark (2). The Danish-resistance data were compared to EU data from 2013 (10). A central source was the EMA’s reflection paper from 2013, regarding the use of pleuromutilins in food-producing animals in the European Union (9).…”