Antibiotic Use in Agriculture Sara Pratt Antibiotic Background

Antibiotic Use in Agriculture Sara Pratt

Antibiotic Background • The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 • Antibiotics for human use was first introduced in the 1940 s • Considered one of the greatest medical discoveries of the 20 th century • By the 1970 s researchers were already delivering warnings about overuse Superbug: A pathogen that has been modified by evolution or scientists that has grown resistant and powerless to existing antibiotics.

Antibiotic Resistance • Antimicrobial use is a potential cause of the emergence of antibiotic resistance drugs • Scientists have been observing the growing resistance virtually since the introduction of antibiotics • “The emergence of drug resistance has been observed following the introduction of each new class of antibiotics, and the threat is compounded by a slow drug development pipeline and limited investment in the discovery and development of new antibiotic agents” (Landers, et al. )

Antibiotic Resistance • Continued • Resistance spreads when a person takes antibiotic Sensitive bacteria is killed by the antibiotics • Some good bacteria die as well leaving resistant bacteria to grow and multiply • Antibiotic resistance can cause diseases that were once treatable • These illnesses could cause dangerous infections and increased suffering for children, adults, and the elderly

How Antibiotic Resistance Occurs • Antibiotic resistance occurs as a result of natural selection - microorganisms that cause diseases have the ability to mutate naturally - desirable traits that are resistant to bacteria survive and are passed on to offspring - survival of the fittest

Combating Antibiotic • Resistance Both national and international efforts have been formed to curb unnecessary use - It was urged that medical practitioners take extra care to not over prescribe - Veterinarians were also pushed to limit the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food

tory of Antibiotic Use in the Agriculture Industry • 1950 s- the FDA approved antibiotic use in livestock • It was approved for both disease treatment and prevention • Additionally used and initially approved for weight gain • Antibiotics are also used in horticulture

Pros and Cons: Antibiotic Use in Food Animals Shelf life of meat treated with antibiotics is longer Livestock treated live longer Animals receiving antibiotics gain more weight Pros Used for the treatment and prevention Treating animals with antibiotics cuts down of food costs Fluoroquinolones used in livestock animals can contribute to increased resistance in foodborne bacteria Cons Widespread antibiotic use (among humans and livestock) may lead to multidrug resistant pathogens Fluoroquinolones: Are antibiotics that are commonly used to treat illnesses of the respiratory organs and urinary tract.

Antibiotics: Humans vs Food Animals Antibiotics Used in Humans 5% Antibiotics Used in Animals 4% 4% 9% Penicillin 3% Tetracycline 6% Cephalosporin 44% 9% Sulfa Quinolones 14% 15% 5% 41% 11% Ionophores Not Reported Penicillin Other Macrolides Sulfa Tetracyclines Other 30% Ionophores: Only used as animal antibiotics

Antibiotics Use in Agriculture: Fact vs Fiction Fact Antibiotic resistant illnesses are from foodborne pathogens A “withdrawal” period from antibiotics is required before an animal can be processed Over 80% of antibiotics used in the agriculture industry are used on healthy animals After strict testing, if antibiotics are detected, the product is thrown out Drug resistant salmonella in retail meats is becoming a major public health threat Animal antibiotics kill more people each year then cancer Fiction Antibiotics are used in organic farming Antibiotics are only used to treat conditions that arise in horrible factory farm setting

Current Data • Animal Health Institute found that 87% of all recorded antibiotic use in animals was for therapeutic purposes - Out of 17. 8 million pounds of antimicrobials use in the industry, only 3. 1 million pounds were used non-therapeutically • Up to 80 percent of antibiotics used in the United States are given to animals • Millions of people die due to antibiotic resistant pathogen - most occur in a hospital setting

Current Antibiotic Policy in • Food Animals As of 2017, the FDA implemented new antibiotic rules that worked to eliminate, "the growth promotion use of human medically important antibiotics and expanding the list of feed-grade antibiotics classified as Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) drugs, " (Beth Ferry, MSU Extension) - Drugs commonly administered to put on weight would only be available by prescription from a veterinarian - Only a small number of antibiotics are available by prescription only - Most are still readily, easily available - Injectable antibiotics are not included in guidelines

Current Antibiotic Policy in • Food Animals The FDA must approve all antibiotics before they can be use in animals • There is a “withdrawal” period that must elapse before the animal can be processed for meat • Food is vigorously tested and must be discarded if there is any trace of antibiotics • All non therapeutic uses for antibiotics in animals are to be phased out in three years

Legislative Efforts • There has been a big push by different activist groups over this evergrowing antibiotic controversy for more regulation within the agriculture industry • Many believe that a bill needs to introduced that completely phases out the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals • Lobbyists want to introduce incentives for decreasing antibiotic use • Introduce a coordinated effort to better track antibiotic use • Many efforts to introduce harsh legislation stem from false or incomplete facts

Major Drug Resistant Pathogens and How They Relate in Agriculture • Specific bacteria that pose the biggest resistance risk 1. Staphylococcus infections (MRSA) 2. Acinetobacter baumanni 3. Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) 4. Pseudomonas aerugino 5. Streptococcus pneumoniae 6. Neisseria gonorrhea 7. Drug resistant tuberculosis, Clostridium difficile, and Klebeiella species ** All pathogens are either found in hospitals and are not related to food animals or are pathogens that strictly effect humans**

Other Factors Other factor contributing to antibiotic resistance: • Antibiotic resistance occurs as a result of doctor over prescribing medications - 50% of all antibiotic prescribed are unneeded or proven ineffective - “Right now the most acute problem is in hospitals. And the most resistant organisms in hospitals are emerging in those settings, because of poor antimicrobial stewardship among humans” (Thomas Frieden, CDC Director)

The Truth (Or at Least the • Known Truth) • • Studies conclude major drug resistant bacteria is not related to the use of antibiotics in animals Salmonella and Campylobacter are the likely bacteria’s to be transmitted from animals to humans – bacteria’s have not shown increased resistance Antibiotic use is on a per animal basis is declining Antibiotics are being phased out for non therapeutic uses in food animals There already strong regulations in place concerning the use of antibiotics

References American Meat Institute. (n. d. ). The Facts About Antibiotics in Livestock and Poultry Production[Brochure]. Washington, DC: Author. Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in Doctor's Offices. (2017, September 25). Retrieved October 2, 2017, from https: //www. cdc. gov/antibiotic-use/community/about/antibiotic-resistancefaqs. html Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Policy Recommendations to Save Lives. (2011, August 10). Retrieved October 18, 2017, from http: //www. idsociety. org/uploaded. Files/IDSA/ Policy_and_Advocacy/Current_Topics_and_Issues/Advancing_Product_Research_and_Development/ Vaccines/Statements/Combating%20 Antimicrobial%20 Resistance. Policy%20 Recommendations %20 to%20 Save%20 Lives. pdf Fact or Fiction: Common Antibiotic Myths. Retrieved October 25, 2017, from http: //www. ahi. org/issues-advocacy/animal-antibiotics/fact-or-fiction-common-antibioticmyths/ Ferry, B. , Benjamin, M. , & Sprague, M. (2016, March 29). Don't wait, be ready! New antibiotic rules for 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017, from http: //msue. anr. msu. edu/news/dont_wait_be_ready_new_antibiotic_rules_for_2017 Landers, T. F. , Cohen, B. , Wittum, T. E. , & Karson, E. L. (2012). A Review of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: Perspective, Policy, and Potential. Public Health Reports, 127(1), 4 -22. Retrieved October 20, 2017, from https: //www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC 3234384/.