Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance among food animals: principles and limitations. - Related Documents




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421101.0000Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance among food animals: principles and limitations. Large amounts of antimicrobial agents are in the production of food animals used for therapy and prophylactics of bacterial infections and in feed to promote growth. The use of antimicrobial agents causes problems in the therapy of infections through the selection for resistance among bacteria pathogenic for animals or humans. Current knowledge regarding the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals, the quantitative impact of the use of different antimicrobial agents on selection for resistance and the most appropriate treatment regimes to limit the development of resistance is incomplete. Programmes monitoring the occurrence and development of resistance are essential to determine the most important areas for intervention and to monitor the effects of interventions. When designing a monitoring programme it is important to decide on the purpose of the programme. Thus, there are major differences between programmes designed to detect changes in a national population, individual herds or groups of animals. In addition, programmes have to be designed differently according to whether the aim is to determine changes in resistance for all antimicrobial agents or only the antimicrobial agents considered most important in relation to treatment of humans. In 1995 a continuous surveillance for antimicrobial resistance among bacteria isolated from food animals was established in Denmark. Three categories of bacteria, indicator bacteria, zoonotic bacteria and animal pathogens are continuously isolated from broilers, cattle and pigs and tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents used for therapy and growth promotion by disc diffusion or minimal inhibitory concentration determinations. This programme will only detect changes on a national level. However, isolating the bacteria and testing for several antimicrobial agents will enable us to determine the effect of linkage of resistance. Since 1995 major differences in the consumption pattern of different antimicrobial agents have occurred in Denmark. The Danish monitoring programme has enabled us to determine the effect of these changes on the occurrence of resistance. The Danish monitoring is, however, not suited to determine changes on a herd level or to detect emergence of new types of resistance only occurring at a low level.200415525370
421010.9999Epidemiology of resistance to antibiotics. Links between animals and humans. An inevitable side effect of the use of antibiotics is the emergence and dissemination of resistant bacteria. Most retrospective and prospective studies show that after the introduction of an antibiotic not only the level of resistance of pathogenic bacteria, but also of commensal bacteria increases. Commensal bacteria constitute a reservior of resistance genes for (potentially) pathogenic bacteria. Their level of resistance is considered to be a good indicator for selection pressure by antibiotic use and for resistance problems to be expected in pathogens. Resistant commensal bacteria of food animals might contaminate, like zoonotic bacteria, meat (products) and so reach the intestinal tract of humans. Monitoring the prevalence of resistance in indicator bacteria such as faecal Escherichia coli and enterococci in different populations, animals, patients and healthy humans, makes it feasible to compare the prevalence of resistance and to detect transfer of resistant bacteria or resistance genes from animals to humans and vice versa. Only in countries that use or used avoparcin (a glycopeptide antibiotic, like vancomycin) as antimicrobial growth promoter (AMGP), is vancomycin resistance common in intestinal enterococci, not only in exposed animals, but also in the human population outside hospitals. Resistance genes against antibiotics, that are or have only been used in animals, i.e. nourseothricin, apramycin etc. were found soon after their introduction, not only in animal bacteria but also in the commensal flora of humans, in zoonotic pathogens like salmonellae, but also in strictly human pathogens, like shigellae. This makes it clear that not only clonal spread of resistant strains occurs, but also transfer of resistance genes between human and animal bacteria. Moreover, since the EU ban of avoparcin, a significant decrease has been observed in several European countries in the prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci in meat (products), in faecal samples of food animals and healthy humans, which underlines the role of antimicrobial usage in food animals in the selection of bacterial resistance and the transport of these resistances via the food chain to humans. To safeguard public health, the selection and dissemination of resistant bacteria from animals should be controlled. This can only be achieved by reducing the amounts of antibiotics used in animals. Discontinuing the practice of routinely adding AMGP to animal feeds would reduce the amounts of antibiotics used for animals in the EU by a minimum of 30% and in some member states even by 50%.200010794955
433520.9999Veterinary drug usage and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin. In the production of food animals, large amounts of antimicrobial agents are used for therapy and prophylaxis of bacterial infections and in feed to promote growth. There are large variations in the amounts of antimicrobial agents used to produce the same amount of meat among the different European countries, which leaves room for considerable reductions in some countries. The emergence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes due to the use of antimicrobial agents are well documented. In Denmark it has been possible to reduce the usage of antimicrobial agents for food animals significantly and in general decreases in resistance have followed. Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobial agents may help to slow down the selection for resistance and should be based on knowledge regarding the normal susceptibility patterns of the causative agents and take into account the potential problems for human health. Current knowledge regarding the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals, the quantitative impact of the use of different antimicrobial agents on selection of resistance and the most appropriate treatment regimes to limit the development of resistance is incomplete. Programmes monitoring the occurrence and development of resistance and consumption of antimicrobial agents are strongly desirable, as is research into the most appropriate ways to use antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine.200515755309
421330.9999Fluoroquinolone resistance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella from healthy livestock and poultry in the EU. The potential for transmission of antibiotic-resistant enteric zoonotic bacteria from animals to humans has been a public health concern for several decades. Bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes found in the intestinal tract of food animals can contaminate carcasses and may lead to food-borne disease in humans that may not respond to antibiotic treatment. It is consequently important to monitor changes in antimicrobial susceptibility of zoonotic and commensal organism; in this context, there are a number of veterinary monitoring programmes that collect bacteria in food-producing animals at slaughter and determine their susceptibility against antibiotics relevant for human medicine. The data generated are part of the risk analysis for potential food-borne transmission of resistance. There has been much debate about the use of fluoroquinolones in veterinary medicine, and so, this review will consider the fluoroquinolone data from two surveys and compare them to national surveillance programmes. At the outset, it must be pointed out that there is, however, a lack of agreement between several programmes on what is meant by the term 'fluoroquinolone resistance' through use of different definitions of resistance and different resistance breakpoints. An additional aim of this paper is to clarify some of those definitions. Despite the debate about the contribution of antibiotic use in veterinary medicine to the overall resistance development in human pathogens, the data suggest that clinical resistance to fluoroquinolones in Escherichia coli and nontyphoidal Salmonella is generally uncommon, except for a few countries. Ongoing surveillance will continue to monitor the situation and identify whether this situation changes within the respective animal populations. For the benefit of both the epidemiologist and the clinician, it would be strongly advantageous that national monitoring surveys report both percentages of clinical resistance and decreased susceptibility.201222066763
433440.9999Association between the consumption of antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry and the occurrence of resistant bacteria among food animals. Antimicrobial agents are used in food animals for therapy and prophylaxis of bacterial infections and in feed to promote growth. The use of antimicrobial agents for food animals may cause problems in the therapy of infections by selecting for resistance among bacteria pathogenic for animals or humans. The emergence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes following the use of antimicrobial agents is relatively well documented and it seems evident that all antimicrobial agents will select for resistance. However, current knowledge regarding the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in food animals, the quantitative impact of the use of different antimicrobial agents on selection for resistance and the most appropriate treatment regimens to limit the development of resistance is incomplete. Surveillance programmes monitoring the occurrence and development of resistance and consumption of antimicrobial agents are urgently needed, as is research into the most appropriate ways to use antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine to limit the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.199910493603
393750.9999Design of a system for monitoring antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic, zoonotic and indicator bacteria from food animals. DANMAP is a Danish programme for integrated monitoring of and research on antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from food animals, food and humans. The paper describes how bacteria from broilers, pigs, and cattle are collected, as well as the procedures for data handling and presentation of results. The bacteria from animals include certain pathogens, selected so that they are representative for submissions to Danish diagnostic laboratories, as well as zoonotic bacteria (Campylobacter, Salmonella and Yersinia) and indicator bacteria (E. coli, E. faecium and E. faecalis), from samples collected at abattoirs. The latter samples are selected so that they are representative of the respective animal populations. Therefore, the apparent prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in the populations may be calculated. The isolates are identified to species level and the results of susceptibility testing are stored as continuous variables. All isolates are maintained in a strain collection so that they are available for subsequent research projects. The data handling facilities makes it possible to present results as percent resistant isolates or as the apparent prevalence of resistance in the population, or alternatively as graphical distributions of mm inhibition zones or MIC values. Computer routines have been established that make it possible to detect specific phenotypic expressions of resistance that may be of particular interest.199910783720
421260.9999Review on the occurrence of the mcr-1 gene causing colistin resistance in cow's milk and dairy products. Both livestock farmers and the clinic use significant amount of antibiotics worldwide, in many cases the same kind. Antibiotic resistance is not a new phenomenon, however, it is a matter of concern that resistance genes (mcr - Mobilized Colistin Resistance - genes) that render last-resort drugs (Colistin) ineffective, have already evolved. Nowadays, there is a significant consumption of milk and dairy products, which, if not treated properly, can contain bacteria (mainly Gram-negative bacteria). We collected articles and reviews in which Gram-negative bacteria carrying the mcr-1 gene have been detected in milk, dairy products, or cattle. Reports have shown that although the incidence is still low, unfortunately the gene has been detected in some dairy products on almost every continent. In the interest of our health, the use of colistin in livestock farming must be banned as soon as possible, and new treatments should be applied so that we can continue to have a chance in fighting multidrug-resistant bacteria in human medicine.202133898852
421770.9999Antimicrobial use and resistance in animals. Food animals in the United States are often exposed to antimicrobials to treat and prevent infectious disease or to promote growth. Many of these antimicrobials are identical to or closely resemble drugs used in humans. Precise figures for the quantity of antimicrobials used in animals are not publicly available in the United States, and estimates vary widely. Antimicrobial resistance has emerged in zoonotic enteropathogens (e.g., Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp.), commensal bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, enterococci), and bacterial pathogens of animals (e.g., Pasteurella, Actinobacillus spp.), but the prevalence of resistance varies. Antimicrobial resistance emerges from the use of antimicrobials in animals and the subsequent transfer of resistance genes and bacteria among animals and animal products and the environment. To slow the development of resistance, some countries have restricted antimicrobial use in feed, and some groups advocate similar measures in the United States. Alternatives to growth-promoting and prophylactic uses of antimicrobials in agriculture include improved management practices, wider use of vaccines, and introduction of probiotics. Monitoring programs, prudent use guidelines, and educational campaigns provide approaches to minimize the further development of antimicrobial resistance.200211988879
663180.9999Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli from Farm Livestock and Related Analytical Methods: A Review. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics for the treatment of human and animal infections has led to the rise of resistance in pathogens and in commensal bacteria. In particular, farm animals may act as vectors for the dissemination of drug-resistant genes because of the intensive use of antibiotics in animal production, enabling resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial agents, including those normally used in human medicine. Escherichia coli, being a widespread commensal, is considered a good indicator of antibiotic use. Ultimately, it is emerging as a global threat, developing dramatically high levels of antibiotic resistance to multiple classes of drugs. Its prevalence in food animals is hence alarming, and more studies are needed in order to ascertain the spread dynamics between the food chain and humans. In this context, great attention should be paid to the accurate detection of resistance by conventional and molecular methods. In this review, a comprehensive list of the most widely used testing methods is also addressed.201829554996
433690.9999Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria-A Review. A global problem of multi-drug resistance (MDR) among bacteria is the cause of hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. In response to the significant increase of MDR bacteria, legislative measures have widely been taken to limit or eliminate the use of antibiotics, including in the form of feed additives for livestock, but also in metaphylaxis and its treatment, which was the subject of EU Regulation in 2019/6. Numerous studies have documented that bacteria use both phenotypis and gentic strategies enabling a natural defence against antibiotics and the induction of mechanisms in increasing resistance to the used antibacterial chemicals. The mechanisms presented in this review developed by the bacteria have a significant impact on reducing the ability to combat bacterial infections in humans and animals. Moreover, the high prevalence of multi-resistant strains in the environment and the ease of transmission of drug-resistance genes between the different bacterial species including commensal flora and pathogenic like foodborne pathogens (E. coli, Campylobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Staphylococcus spp.) favor the rapid spread of multi-resistance among bacteria in humans and animals. Given the global threat posed by the widespread phenomenon of multi-drug resistance among bacteria which are dangerous for humans and animals, the subject of this study is the presentation of the mechanisms of resistance in most frequent bacteria called as "foodborne pathoges" isolated from human and animals. In order to present the significance of the global problem related to multi-drug resistance among selected pathogens, especially those danger to humans, the publication also presents statistical data on the percentage range of occurrence of drug resistance among selected bacteria in various regions of the world. In addition to the phenotypic characteristics of pathogen resistance, this review also presents detailed information on the detection of drug resistance genes for specific groups of antibiotics. It should be emphasized that the manuscript also presents the results of own research i.e., Campylobacter spp., E. coli or Enetrococcus spp. This subject and the presentation of data on the risks of drug resistance among bacteria will contribute to initiating research in implementing the prevention of drug resistance and the development of alternatives for antimicrobials methods of controlling bacteria.202236009947
4337100.9999Monitoring of antibiotic resistance in bacteria of animal origin: epidemiological and microbiological methodologies. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food animals is a major public health threat. Information on the prevalence of resistance to specific drugs in both bacterial and animal species together with changes occurring over time, are necessary to understand the magnitude of the problem and to establish baselines for taking action. The aim of this paper is to define the minimum epidemiological and microbiological requirements for establishing a surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin. Surveillance should involve different bacterial species, veterinary pathogens, zoonotic bacteria and commensal bacteria used as indicators. The collected data should be periodically updated and the reports distributed among practising veterinarians and regulatory authorities. These reports would be a useful tool for developing guidelines for the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine and for action strategies.200010794950
3939110.9999Antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic and commensal bacteria in Europe: the missing link between consumption and resistance in veterinary medicine. The emergence of resistance in food animals has been associated to the consumption of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. Consequently, monitoring programs have been designed to monitor the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This study analyses the amount of antimicrobial agents used in nine European countries from 2005 to 2011, and compares by univariate analysis the correlations between consumptions of each of the following antimicrobial classes; tetracycline, penicillins, cephalosporins, quinolones and macrolides. An overview of resistance in zoonotic and commensal bacteria in Europe focusing on Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter sp. and Enterococcus sp., during the same period of time based on monitoring programs is also assessed. With the exception of cephalosporins, linear regressions showed strong positive associations between the consumption of the four different antimicrobial classes. Substantial differences between countries were observed in the amount of antimicrobials used to produce 1 kg of meat. Moreover, large variations in proportions of resistant bacteria were reported by the different countries, suggesting differences in veterinary practice. Despite the withdrawn of a specific antimicrobial from "on farm" use, persistence over the years of bacteria resistant to this particular antimicrobial agent, was still observed. There were also differences in trends of resistance associated to specific animal species. In order to correlate the use of antimicrobial agents to the presence of resistance, surveillance of antimicrobial consumption by animal species should be established. Subsequently, intervention strategies could be designed to minimize the occurrence of resistance.201424589430
3943120.9999Quinolone resistance in the food chain. Antimicrobials are used in pet animals and in animal husbandry for prophylactic and therapeutic reasons and also as growth promoters, causing selective pressure on bacteria of animal origin. The impact of quinolones or quinolone-resistant bacteria on the management of human infections may be associated with three different scenarios. (i) Quinolone-resistant zoonotic bacterial pathogens are selected and food is contaminated during slaughter and/or preparation. (ii) Quinolone-resistant bacteria non-pathogenic to humans are selected in the animal. When the contaminated food is ingested, the bacteria may transfer resistance determinants to other bacteria in the human gut (commensal and potential pathogens). And (iii) quinolones remain in residues of food products, which may allow the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria after the food is consumed. In this review, we analyse the abovementioned aspects, emphasising the molecular basis of quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp.200818308515
4120130.9999Transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria from animals to man. Antibiotic resistance develops in zoonotic bacteria in response to antibiotics used in food animals. A close association exists between the amounts of antibiotics used and the levels of resistance observed. The classes of antibiotics routinely used for treatment of human infections are also used for animals either for therapy or for growth promotion. Antibiotic resistance in zoonotic bacteria constitute a public health hazard, primarily through the increased risk of treatment failures. This paper describes the zoonotic bacteria, salmonella, campylobacter, yersinia and entero-haemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Infections with these agents do not generally require antibiotic therapy, but in some cases antibiotics are essential to obtain a successful cure. The levels and types of resistance observed in zoonotic bacteria in some countries, especially the increasing levels of fluoroquinolone resistance in salmonella and campylobacter, gives cause for concern. The principles of controlling resistance development involve infection control at herd level and prudent use of antibiotics.199910783717
6632140.9999Genes conferring resistance to critically important antimicrobials in Salmonella enterica isolated from animals and food: A systematic review of the literature, 2013-2017. Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern, and food systems are a crucial point in the epidemiology of these resistances. Among antimicrobials, critically important ones are therapeutic drugs that should be primarily safeguarded to allow successful outcomes against important bacterial infections in humans. The most important source of antimicrobial resistance has been recognized in the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human and animal medicine, with farming being a critical stage. Products of animal origin are the link between animal and humans and can contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, in particular through bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, commonly present in both animals' gut and food. Salmonella is an important member of this bacterial family due to its pathogenicity, its noteworthy prevalence and the frequent detection of resistance genes in different isolates. In the present systematic review, the distribution of antimicrobial resistance determinants among Salmonella enterica serovars in pigs, cattle and poultry production was investigated in the European context. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in three different databases, and 7955 papers were identified as relevant. After the different steps of the review process, 31 papers were considered eligible for data extraction to gain insight about sources and reservoirs for such genes. Results suggest that despite the increasing attention directed toward antimicrobial resistance in animal production, a wide plethora of genes still exist and further actions should be undertaken to face this challenge.201931442714
4794150.9999Resistance to antibiotics used in dermatological practice. The increased prevalence of bacterial resistance is one of the major problems of medicine today. Antibiotic resistance can be defined as the situation where the minimal inhibitory concentration is greater than the concentration obtainable in vivo. Resistance genes are easily transferred among bacteria, especially bacteria on skin and mucous membranes. In dermatological patients the most important resistance problems are found among staphylococci, Propionibacterium acnes and, to some extent, streptococci. Staphylococcus aureus strains have developed worldwide resistance to penicillin due to betalactamase production in > 90% of cases, and methicillin resistance is now a major problem with resistance levels of > 50% in certain areas of the world. These resistant strains are often multiresistant, and include resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline, with resistance to quinolone developing rapidly. Group A streptococci are still susceptible to penicillin, but increasing problems with erythromycin and tetracycline have been reported. After treatment with both systemic and oral antibiotics, P. acnes develops resistance in more than 50% of cases, and it is estimated that one in four acne patients harbours strains resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin. To limit the development of antibiotic resistance, it is necessary to establish an antibiotic policy (prescription rules, reimbursement strategy, development of both national and local guidelines, and limitations on non-medical use). Clinicians also need access to rapid diagnostic methods, including resistance testing. This may provide further data for surveillance systems, reporting both antibiotic consumption and resistance levels. The involvement of clinical doctors in teaching and research in this area is probably the most important aspect, along with their involvement in the formulation of national and local guidelines. In the future we may consider it more important to ensure that future patients can be offered antibiotic treatment, rather than focusing on the patient presenting today.19989990406
6620160.9999The growing burden of antimicrobial resistance. Since the first usage of antimicrobials, the burden of resistance among bacteria has progressively increased and has accelerated within the last 10 years. Antibiotic resistance genes were present at very low levels prior to the introduction of antibiotics and it is largely the selective pressure of antibiotic use and the resulting exposure of bacteria, not only in humans but also in companion and food animals and the environment, which has caused the rise. The increasing mobility across the globe of people, food and animals is another factor. Examples of this are the international pandemic of different genotypes of CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (particularly CTX-M-14 and -15) and the emergence of the carbapenemase KPC-1 in both the USA and Israel. This review details examples of both the emergence and dissemination through different genetic routes, both direct and indirect selective pressure, of significance resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas/Acinetobacter. The response made by society to reduce resistance involves surveillance, reduced usage, improved infection control and the introduction of new antimicrobial agents. Although efforts are being made in all these areas, there is an urgent need to increase the effectiveness of these interventions or some bacterial infections will become difficult if not impossible to treat reliably.200818684701
4215170.9999Antibiotic usage in animals: impact on bacterial resistance and public health. Antibiotic use whether for therapy or prevention of bacterial diseases, or as performance enhancers will result in antibiotic resistant micro-organisms, not only among pathogens but also among bacteria of the endogenous microflora of animals. The extent to which antibiotic use in animals will contribute to the antibiotic resistance in humans is still under much debate. In addition to the veterinary use of antibiotics, the use of these agents as antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) greatly influences the prevalence of resistance in animal bacteria and a poses risk factor for the emergence of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. Antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and enterococci from animals can colonise or infect the human population via contact (occupational exposure) or via the food chain. Moreover, resistance genes can be transferred from bacteria of animals to human pathogens in the intestinal flora of humans. In humans, the control of resistance is based on hygienic measures: prevention of cross contamination and a decrease in the usage of antibiotics. In food animals housed closely together, hygienic measures, such as prevention of oral-faecal contact, are not feasible. Therefore, diminishing the need for antibiotics is the only possible way of controlling resistance in large groups of animals. This can be achieved by improvement of animal husbandry systems, feed composition and eradication of or vaccination against infectious diseases. Moreover, abolishing the use of antibiotics as feed additives for growth promotion in animals bred as a food source for humans would decrease the use of antibiotics in animals on a worldwide scale by nearly 50%. This would not only diminish the public health risk of dissemination of resistant bacteria or resistant genes from animals to humans, but would also be of major importance in maintaining the efficacy of antibiotics in veterinary medicine.199910551432
3941180.9999Antibiotic Resistance among Gastrointestinal Bacteria in Broilers: A Review Focused on Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. Chickens can acquire bacteria at different stages, and bacterial diversity can occur due to production practices, diet, and environment. The changes in consumer trends have led to increased animal production, and chicken meat is one of the most consumed meats. To ensure high levels of production, antimicrobials have been used in livestock for therapeutic purposes, disease prevention, and growth promotion, contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance across the resident microbiota. Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal microbiota of chickens that can develop strains capable of causing a wide range of diseases, i.e., opportunistic pathogens. Enterococcus spp. isolated from broilers have shown resistance to at least seven classes of antibiotics, while E. coli have shown resistance to at least four. Furthermore, some clonal lineages, such as ST16, ST194, and ST195 in Enterococcus spp. and ST117 in E. coli, have been identified in humans and animals. These data suggest that consuming contaminated animal-source food, direct contact with animals, or environmental exposure can lead to the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Therefore, this review focused on Enterococcus spp. and E. coli from the broiler industry to better understand how antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged, which antibiotic-resistant genes are most common, what clonal lineages are shared between broilers and humans, and their impact through a One Health perspective.202337106925
4203190.9999Control and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in food-producing animals in Japan. Increased antimicrobial resistance in bacteria that cause infections in humans is a threat to public health. The use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals in the form of veterinary medicine and feed additives may lead to the emergence or spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin. In Japan, the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals is regulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and Feed Safety Law to minimise the risk of emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Since December 2003, all antimicrobials used in food-producing animals have been subjected to risk assessment by the Food Safety Commission. In addition, an antimicrobial resistance monitoring programme has been in place since 2000 to monitor the evolution of resistance to different antimicrobials in bacteria in food-producing animals.200920391381