Genomic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Food Chain and Livestock-Associated Salmonella Species. - Related Documents




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662301.0000Genomic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Food Chain and Livestock-Associated Salmonella Species. The rising trend of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by foodborne bacteria is a public health concern as these pathogens are easily transmitted to humans through the food chain. Non-typhoid Salmonella spp. is one of the leading foodborne pathogens which infect humans worldwide and is associated with food and livestock. Due to the lack of discovery of new antibiotics and the pressure exerted by antimicrobial resistance in the pharmaceutical industry, this review aimed to address the issue of antibiotic use in livestock which leads to AMR in Salmonella. Much attention was given to resistance to carbapenems and colistin which are the last-line antibiotics used in cases of multi drug resistant bacterial infections. In the present review, we highlighted data published on antimicrobial resistant Salmonella species and serovars associated with livestock and food chain animals. The importance of genomic characterization of carbapenem and colistin resistant Salmonella in determining the relationship between human clinical isolates and food animal isolates was also discussed in this review. Plasmids, transposons, and insertion sequence elements mediate dissemination of not only AMR genes but also genes for resistance to heavy metals and disinfectants, thus limiting the therapeutic options for treatment and control of Salmonella. Genes for resistance to colistin (mcr-1 to mcr-9) and carbapenem (blaVIM-1, blaDNM-1, and blaNDM-5) have been detected from poultry, pig, and human Salmonella isolates, indicating food animal-associated AMR which is a threat to human public health. Genotyping, plasmid characterization, and phylogenetic analysis is important in understanding the epidemiology of livestock-related Salmonella so that measures of preventing foodborne threats to humans can be improved.202133803844
662210.9999Human health hazards from antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli of animal origin. Because of the intensive use of antimicrobial agents in food animal production, meat is frequently contaminated with antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli. Humans can be colonized with E. coli of animal origin, and because of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents, these bacteria may cause infections for which limited therapeutic options are available. This may lead to treatment failure and can have serious consequences for the patient. Furthermore, E. coli of animal origin may act as a donor of antimicrobial resistance genes for other pathogenic E. coli. Thus, the intensive use of antimicrobial agents in food animals may add to the burden of antimicrobial resistance in humans. Bacteria from the animal reservoir that carry resistance to antimicrobial agents that are regarded as highly or critically important in human therapy (e.g., aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins) are of especially great concern.200919231979
662120.9999Global Emergence of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Food Chains and Associated Food Safety Implications: A Review. Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria represents one of the most important challenges for public health worldwide. Human infections from antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can be transmitted from person to person, via the environment (especially in the hospital environment), or via handling or eating contaminated foods. Colistin is well known as a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of human infections; a recent study performed in the People's Republic of China has revealed that colistin resistance is also conferred by the plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene in Escherichia coli. After that discovery, further plasmid-mediated, colistin resistance genes have been detected. However, to date, only reports on E. coli carrying the mcr-1 gene (E. coli mcr-1(+)) in foodstuff are available. E. coli mcr-1(+) has been isolated from food of animal origin and vegetables; this discovery has opened a debate among food safety experts. This review aims to provide a critical overview of the currently available scientific literature on the presence of the plasmid-mediated, colistin resistance gene E. coli mcr-1 in foodstuffs, focusing on the main implications and future perspectives for food safety.201931339371
500630.9999Genomic insights of mcr-1 harboring Escherichia coli by geographical region and a One-Health perspective. The importance of the One Health concept in attempting to deal with the increasing levels of multidrug-resistant bacteria in both human and animal health is a challenge for the scientific community, policymakers, and the industry. The discovery of the plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance (mcr) in 2015 poses a significant threat because of the ability of these plasmids to move between different bacterial species through horizontal gene transfer. In light of these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that countries implement surveillance strategies to detect the presence of plasmid-mediated colistin-resistant microorganisms and take suitable measures to control and prevent their dissemination. Seven years later, ten different variants of the mcr gene (mcr-1 to mcr-10) have been detected worldwide in bacteria isolated from humans, animals, foods, the environment, and farms. However, the possible transmission mechanisms of the mcr gene among isolates from different geographical origins and sources are largely unknown. This article presents an analysis of whole-genome sequences of Escherichia coli that harbor mcr-1 gene from different origins (human, animal, food, or environment) and geographical location, to identify specific patterns related to virulence genes, plasmid content and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as their phylogeny and their distribution with their origin. In general, E. coli isolates that harbor mcr-1 showed a wide plethora of ARGs. Regarding the plasmid content, the highest concentration of plasmids was found in animal samples. In turn, Asia was the continent that led with the largest diversity and occurrence of these plasmids. Finally, about virulence genes, terC, gad, and traT represent the most frequent virulence genes detected. These findings highlight the relevance of analyzing the environmental settings as an integrative part of the surveillance programs to understand the origins and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.202236726572
663240.9999Genes 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
500750.9999Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens in Germany: A comprehensive analysis of occurrence and resistance development in animal, food, and environmental sources. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem affecting both humans and animals. Multidrug resistance (MDR) infections are predominantly caused by a group of bacteria known as ESKAPE pathogens, namely Enterococcus (E.) faecium, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae, Acinetobacter (A.) baumannii, Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species. They are among the top threats to public health worldwide as their acquisition of AMR genes has significantly diminished available treatment alternatives for severe infections, increased disease burden, and elevated mortality rates due to treatment failures. The current review aimed to investigate the occurrence and resistance development of the Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens, E. faecium and S. aureus, in animals, food, and environmental sources in Germany. S. aureus has been extensively investigated in human medicine, and there is a decent knowledge regarding their presence in animals, food, and the environmental health sectors. However, limited published work exists on E. faecium in non-human samples. MDR isolates of both bacteria, harbouring resistance genes conferring resistance to several antimicrobial classes, have been detected in various companion animals and livestock species, as well as food and environmental samples across different regions of Germany. Notably, isolates with identical genotypes have been found in both animals and farm employees, underscoring the potential for cross-infection between animals and humans. This review highlights the impact of E. faecium and S. aureus in non-human sources in Germany and emphasizes the importance of addressing MDR from a One-Health perspective.202540535975
662760.9999Antibiotic resistance profiles on pathogenic bacteria in the Brazilian environments. The present study aimed to elaborate a review of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in soil, food, aquatic environments, cattle, poultry, and swine farms in Brazil. Initially, the literature database for published papers from 2012 to 2023 was Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and Google Scholar, through the descriptors: antimicrobial resistance, resistance profile, multidrug resistance, environmental bacteria, and pathogenic bacteria. The studies demonstrated the prevalence of pathogenic and resistant bacteria in environments that favor their rapid dissemination. Bacteria of medical importance, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio spp., were present in samples from animal farms and foods, including cheese and milk, urban aquatic environments, hospital effluents, and shrimp farms. Studies suggested that important bacteria have been disseminated through different niches with easy contact with humans, animals, and food, demonstrating the danger of the emergence of increasingly difficult conditions for treating and controlling these infections. Thus, better understanding and characterizing the resistance profiles of bacteria in these regions, mainly referring to MDR bacteria, can help develop solutions to prevent the progression of this public health problem.202337043091
662670.9999Multidrug-resistant pathogens in the food supply. Antimicrobial resistance, including multidrug resistance (MDR), is an increasing problem globally. MDR bacteria are frequently detected in humans and animals from both more- and less-developed countries and pose a serious concern for human health. Infections caused by MDR microbes may increase morbidity and mortality and require use of expensive drugs and prolonged hospitalization. Humans may be exposed to MDR pathogens through exposure to environments at health-care facilities and farms, livestock and companion animals, human food, and exposure to other individuals carrying MDR microbes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies drug-resistant foodborne bacteria, including Campylobacter, Salmonella Typhi, nontyphoidal salmonellae, and Shigella, as serious threats. MDR bacteria have been detected in both meat and fresh produce. Salmonellae carrying genes coding for resistance to multiple antibiotics have caused numerous foodborne MDR outbreaks. While there is some level of resistance to antimicrobials in environmental bacteria, the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has driven the selection of a great variety of microbes with resistance to multiple antimicrobials. MDR bacteria on meat may have originated in veterinary health-care settings or on farms where animals are given antibiotics in feed or to treat infections. Fresh produce may be contaminated by irrigation or wash water containing MDR bacteria. Livestock, fruits, and vegetables may also be contaminated by food handlers, farmers, and animal caretakers who carry MDR bacteria. All potential sources of MDR bacteria should be considered and strategies devised to reduce their presence in foods. Surveillance studies have documented increasing trends in MDR in many pathogens, although there are a few reports of the decline of certain multidrug pathogens. Better coordination of surveillance programs and strategies for controlling use of antimicrobials need to be implemented in both human and animal medicine and agriculture and in countries around the world.201525621383
502780.9999Vegetables and Fruit as a Reservoir of β-Lactam and Colistin-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: A Review. Antibacterial resistance is one of the 2019 World Health Organization's top ten threats to public health worldwide. Hence, the emergence of β-lactam and colistin resistance among Gram-negative bacteria has become a serious concern. The reservoirs for such bacteria are increasing not only in hospital settings but in several other sources, including vegetables and fruit. In recent years, fresh produce gained important attention due to its consumption in healthy diets combined with a low energy density. However, since fresh produce is often consumed raw, it may also be a source of foodborne disease and a reservoir for antibiotic resistant Gram-negative bacteria including those producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase, cephalosporinase and carbapenemase enzymes, as well as those harboring the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (mcr) gene. This review aims to provide an overview of the currently available scientific literature on the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, cephalosporinase, carbapenemase and mcr genes in Gram-negative bacteria in vegetables and fruit with a focus on the possible contamination pathways in fresh produce.202134946136
662890.9999Campylobacter and antimicrobial resistance in dogs and humans: "One health" in practice. Increasing antimicrobial resistance in both medicine and agriculture is recognised as a major emerging public health concern. Since 2005, campylobacteriosis has been the most zoonotic disease reported in humans in the European Union. Human infections due to Campylobacter spp. primarily comes from food. However, the human-animal interface is a potential space for the bidirectional movement of zoonotic agents, including antimicrobial resistant strains. Dogs have been identified as carriers of the Campylobacter species and their role as a source of infection for humans has been demonstrated. Furthermore, dogs may play an important role as a reservoir of resistant bacteria or resistance genes. Human beings may also be a reservoir of Campylobacter spp. for their pets. This review analyses the current literature related to the risk of Campylobacter antimicrobial resistance at the dog-human interface.201931599545
5717100.9999Introduction of the transmissible mobile colistin resistance genes mcr-3 and mcr-9 to the USA via imported seafood. The emergence and global dissemination of the mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr) threaten the efficacy of colistin, a high-priority, critically important antibiotic that is used to treat complicated infections with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in humans. The occurrence of mcr in the USA has been suggested to be relatively limited, particularly in bacteria associated with domestic foods and food animals. This is because colistin has neither been marketed nor approved for use in agriculture in the USA. However, mcr-carrying bacteria can occur on foods imported from countries where these genes might be relatively more prevalent. Yet, studies on mcr in vulnerable imported foods in the USA are lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, we assessed the role of imported seafood as a potential carrier of mcr genes to the USA. Imported seafood samples were aseptically collected from eight major retail stores across Georgia, USA. In-depth analyses revealed the occurrence of mcr-9 in bacteria isolated from imported shrimp samples. The mcr-9-carrying bacteria were identified as Serratia nevei, a newly described species that belongs to the Serratia marcescens complex. The mcr-9 in the S. nevei isolates was carried on IncHI2 plasmids that were transferable and conferred colistin resistance to naïve Escherichia coli. Further analysis identified a chromosomal mcr-3.17 in Aeromonas salmonicida isolated from imported scallops. All the mcr-carrying isolates harbored other important antibiotic resistance genes. Taken together, our data showed that imported seafood, specifically shrimps, might be an overlooked source contributing to the introduction and spread of transmissible colistin resistance genes in the USA. IMPORTANCE: Colistin, an important antibiotic, is used to treat certain bacterial infections in humans that can be severe and/or life-threatening. However, these bacteria can acquire the mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes and become resistant to this antibiotic. Plasmid-borne mcr can jump between bacterial species, spreading in bacteria across a variety of hosts and niches. Therefore, monitoring the spread of mcr is critical to maintain the efficacy of colistin. In the USA, the occurrence of mcr in domestically produced food is thought to be limited. In this study, we showed that mcr can be carried into the USA by bacteria on imported seafood. A specific gene, mcr-9, was located on a plasmid that could be transferred to other bacteria. Therefore, imported seafood can be an overlooked source of mcr in the USA. It is important to monitor and assess mcr in imported seafood to control the proliferation of colistin resistance in the USA.202540622135
4871110.9999Colistin: from the shadows to a One Health approach for addressing antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to human, animal and environmental health worldwide. Colistin has regained importance as a last-resort treatment against multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, colistin resistance has been reported in various Enterobacteriaceae species isolated from several sources. The 2015 discovery of the plasmid-mediated mcr-1 (mobile colistin resistance) gene conferring resistance to colistin was a major concern within the scientific community worldwide. The global spread of this plasmid - as well as the subsequent identification of 10 MCR-family genes and their variants that catalyse the addition of phosphoethanolamine to the phosphate group of lipid A - underscores the urgent need to regulate the use of colistin, particularly in animal production. This review traces the history of colistin resistance and mcr-like gene identification, and examines the impact of policy changes regarding the use of colistin on the prevalence of mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli and colistin-resistant E. coli from a One Health perspective. The withdrawal of colistin as a livestock growth promoter in several countries reduced the prevalence of colistin-resistant bacteria and its resistance determinants (e.g. mcr-1 gene) in farm animals, humans and the environment. This reduction was certainly favoured by the significant fitness cost associated with acquisition and expression of the mcr-1 gene in enterobacterial species. The success of this One Health intervention could be used to accelerate regulation of other important antimicrobials, especially those associated with bacterial resistance mechanisms linked to high fitness cost. The development of global collaborations and the implementation of sustainable solutions like the One Health approach are essential to manage AMR.202336640846
3950120.9999Occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on animal farms and in their vicinity in Poland and Ukraine-review. Intensive animal farming emits to the environment very high concentrations of bioaerosol, mainly composed of microorganisms, including antibiotics resistant strains, and their derivatives. Poland is a significant producer of poultry and swine in Europe; Ukraine is located in the immediate vicinity of Poland and the EU. Thus, the review focuses on the presence of potentially pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant zoonotic bacteria and antimicrobial genes in the environment of farms and food of animal origin in Poland and Ukraine. Existing data confirms presence of these bacteria in the food animal origin chain environment in both countries. However, it is difficult to compare the scale of multidrug-resistant bacteria (e.g. MRSA, ESBL) dissemination in Poland and Ukraine with other EU countries due to lack of more extensive studies and large-scale monitoring in these two countries. A series of studies concerning resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from livestock environment have been published in Poland but usually on single farms with a very limited number of samples, and without a genotypic drug resistance marking. From Ukraine are available only few reports, but also disturbing. The risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission does not only concern animal farming, but also other facilities of animal origin food supply chains, especially slaughterhouses.202234870776
5010130.9999Carbapenemase-producing bacteria in food-producing animals, wildlife and environment: A challenge for human health. Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global health problem and one of the major concerns for economic impacts worldwide. Recently, resistance against carbapenems (doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem), which are critically important antimicrobials for human cares, poses a great risk all over the world. Carbapenemases are β-lactamases belonging to different Ambler classes (A, B, D) and encoded by both chromosomal and plasmidic genes. They hydrolyze a broad variety of β-lactams, including carbapenems, cephalosporins, penicillins and aztreonam. Despite several studies in human patients and hospital settings have been performed in European countries, the role of livestock animals, wild animals and the terrestrial and aquatic environment in the maintenance and transmission of carbapenemase- producing bacteria has been poorly investigated. The present review focuses on the carbapenemase-producing bacteria detected in pigs, cattle, poultry, fish, mollusks, wild birds and wild mammals in Europe as well as in non-European countries, investigating the genetic mechanisms for their transmission among food-producing animals and wildlife. To shed light on the important role of the environment in the maintenance and genetic exchange of resistance determinants between environmental and pathogenic bacteria, studies on aquatic sources (rivers, lakes, as well as wastewater treatment plants) are described.201931316921
3929140.9999Genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in bovine mastitis and its possible implications for human and ecological health. Bovine mastitis is a mammary gland inflammation that can occur due to infectious pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which are, respectively, the most prevalent Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria associated with this disease. Currently, antibiotic treatment has become more complicated due to the presence of resistant pathogens. This review, therefore, aims to identify the most common resistance genes reported for these strains in the last four years. During the review, it was noted that bla(Z), bla(SHV,) bla(TEM), and bla(ampC) are the most reported genes for S. aureus and E. coli, associated with drug inactivation, mainly β-lactamases. They are characterized by generating bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, the most common treatment in animal and human bacterial treatments (penicillins and cephalosporins, among others). Genes associated with efflux systems were also present in the two strains and included norA, tetA, tetC, and tetK, which generate resistance to macrolide and tetracycline antibiotics. Additionally, the effects of spreading resistance between animals and humans through direct contact (such as consumption of contaminated milk) or indirect contact (through environmental contamination) has been deeply discussed, emphasizing the importance of having adequate sanitation and antibiotic control and administration protocols.202538916977
4873150.9999Farm animals and aquaculture: significant reservoirs of mobile colistin resistance genes. Colistin resistance has attracted substantial attention after colistin was considered as a last-resort drug for the treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant and/or multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria in clinical settings. However, with the discovery of highly mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, colistin resistance has become an increasingly urgent issue worldwide. Despite many reviews, which summarized the prevalence, mechanisms, and structures of these genes in bacteria of human and animal origin, studies on the prevalence of mobile colistin resistance genes in aquaculture and their transmission between animals and humans remain scarce. Herein, we review recent reports on the prevalence of colistin resistance genes in animals, especially wildlife and aquaculture, and their possibility of transmission to humans via the food chain. This review also gives some insights into the routine surveillance, changing policy and replacement of polymyxins by polymyxin derivatives, molecular inhibitors, and traditional Chinese medicine to tackle colistin resistance.202032114703
3940160.9998Chicken Meat-Associated Enterococci: Influence of Agricultural Antibiotic Use and Connection to the Clinic. Industrial farms are unique, human-created ecosystems that provide the perfect setting for the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Agricultural antibiotic use amplifies naturally occurring resistance mechanisms from soil ecologies, promoting their spread and sharing with other bacteria, including those poised to become endemic within hospital environments. To better understand the role of enterococci in the movement of antibiotic resistance from farm to table to clinic, we characterized over 300 isolates of Enterococcus cultured from raw chicken meat purchased at U.S. supermarkets by the Consumers Union in 2013. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were the predominant species found, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing uncovered striking levels of resistance to medically important antibiotic classes, particularly from classes approved by the FDA for use in animal production. While nearly all isolates were resistant to at least one drug, bacteria from meat labeled as raised without antibiotics had fewer resistances, particularly for E. faecium Whole-genome sequencing of 92 isolates revealed that both commensal- and clinical-isolate-like enterococcal strains were associated with chicken meat, including isolates bearing important resistance-conferring elements and virulence factors. The ability of enterococci to persist in the food system positions them as vehicles to move resistance genes from the industrial farm ecosystem into more human-proximal ecologies.IMPORTANCE Bacteria that contaminate food can serve as a conduit for moving drug resistance genes from farm to table to clinic. Our results show that chicken meat-associated isolates of Enterococcus are often multidrug resistant, closely related to pathogenic lineages, and harbor worrisome virulence factors. These drug-resistant agricultural isolates could thus represent important stepping stones in the evolution of enterococci into drug-resistant human pathogens. Although significant efforts have been made over the past few years to reduce the agricultural use of antibiotics, continued assessment of agricultural practices, including the roles of processing plants, shared breeding flocks, and probiotics as sources for resistance spread, is needed in order to slow the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Because antibiotic resistance is a global problem, global policies are needed to address this threat. Additional measures must be taken to mitigate the development and spread of antibiotic resistance elements from farms to clinics throughout the world.201931471308
4990170.9998From soil to surface water: exploring Klebsiella 's clonal lineages and antibiotic resistance odyssey in environmental health. In the last decade, the presence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the environment has been a cause for increasing concern. However, understanding of its contribution to the spread of bacteria remains limited, as the scarcity of studies on how and under what circumstances the environment facilitates the development of resistance poses challenges in mitigating the emergence and spread of mobile resistance factors. Antimicrobial resistance in the environment is considered one of the biggest challenges and threats currently emerging. Thus, monitoring the presence of antibiotic-resistant species, in this particular case, Klebsiella spp., in the environment can be an added value for understanding the epidemiology of infections caused by Klebsiella spp.. Investigating soils and waters as potential reservoirs and transmission vehicles for these bacteria is imperative. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to describe the main genetic lineages present in environmental samples, as well as to describe the multidrug resistance strains associated with each environmental source. The studies analyzed in this review reported a high diversity of species and strains of Klebsiella spp. in the environment. K. pneumoniae was the most prevalent species, both in soil and water samples, and, as expected, often presented a multi-resistant profile. The presence of K. pneumoniae ST11, ST15, and ST147 suggests human and animal origin. Concerning surface waters, there was a great diversity of species and STs of Klebsiella spp. These studies are crucial for assessing the environmental contribution to the spread of pathogenic bacteria.202540012032
4203180.9998Control 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
4997190.9998Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria from Vegetable Foods. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to global health, and its spread through the food chain is gaining increasing attention. While AMR in food of animal origin has been extensively studied, less is known about its prevalence in plant-based foods, particularly fresh and ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables. This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in fresh and RTE vegetables. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular analyses for the characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). A significant proportion of samples were found to harbor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Several ARGs, including those encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and resistance to critically important antimicrobials, were detected. The findings point to environmental contamination-potentially originating from wastewater reuse and agricultural practices-as a likely contributor to AMR dissemination in vegetables. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and ARGs in fresh produce raises concerns about food safety and public health. The current regulatory framework lacks specific criteria for monitoring AMR in vegetables, highlighting the urgent need for surveillance programs and risk mitigation strategies. This study contributes to a better understanding of AMR in the plant-based food sector and supports the implementation of a One Health approach to address this issue.202540732728