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Industrial Food Animal Production >> Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to public health that we face. Antibiotics have saved countless human lives since their discovery, but overuse of these drugs has led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria around the world. In the U.S., it is estimated that 70 percent of all antibiotics consumed are given to food animals to promote faster growth. This type of usage is hastening the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are also used in animal agriculture to counter diseases that cattle suffer because they are eating an unnatural grain diet.

Recommended resources on this topic:

Reports & Other Documents

Fueling Resistance? Antibiotics in Ethanol Production

Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy, July 2009.

The Landscape of Antibiotic Resistance

N. Rosenblatt-Farrell. Environ Health Perspect, June 2009.

Antimicrobial resistance

World Health Organization, January 2002.

... more

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Molecular Analysis of Escherichia coli from Retail Meats (2002-2004) from the United States National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System

J.R. Johnson, et al. Clin Infect Dis; July 15, 2009.

Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Strains of Clonal Lineages ST398 and ST9 from Swine Carry the Multidrug Resistance Gene cfr

C. Kehrenberg, et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, February 2009.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strain ST398 Is Present in Midwestern U.S. Swine and Swine Workers

T.C. Smith, et al. PLos One; Jan. 23, 2009.

... more

Antibiotic resistant enterococci and staphylococci isolated from flies collected near confined poultry feeding operations

JP Graham, et al. Sci Total Environ; available online Jan. 20, 2009.

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in meat

E. de Boer, et al. Int J Food Microbiol, December 2008.

Industrial Food Animal Production, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Human Health

E.K. Silbergeld, et al. Annual Review of Public Health, April 2008.

Elevated risk of carrying gentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli among U.S. poultry workers

L.B. Price, et al. Environ Health Perspect, December 2007.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in pigs and pig farmers

T. Khanna, et al. Vet Microbiol; Oct. 16, 2007.

The attribution of human infections with antimicrobial resistant Salmonella bacteria in Denmark to sources of animal origin

T. Hald, et al. Foodborne Pathog Dis, Fall 2007.

The persistence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter in poultry production

L.B. Price, et al. Environ Health Perspect, July 2007.

High prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pigs

A.J. de Neeling, et al. Vet Microbiol, June 2007.

Antimicrobial drug resistance of Salmonella isolates from meat and humans, Denmark

M.N. Skov, et al. Emerg Infect Dis, April 2007.

Community-acquired MRSA and pig-farming

X.W. Huijsdens, et al. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob; Nov. 10, 2006.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli: food for thought

P. Collignon and F.J. Angulo. J Infect Dis; July 1, 2006.

Risk management for the limitation of antibiotic resistance – experience of Denmark

H.C. Wegener. Int J Med Microbiol, June 2006.

Antibiotics, animals, and people – again!

S. Falkow and D. Kennedy. Science; Jan. 19, 2001.

Relevant Organizations

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Keep Antibiotics Working (KAW)

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)

... more

Additional Tools & Resources

The Use of Drugs in Food Animals: Benefits and Risks

J.R. Coffman and G.W. Beran. National Academies Press, 1999 (book can be read online for free).

Get Smart on the Farm – Antibiotic Use in Agriculture: Program Materials and Educational Material

Keep Antibiotics Working: Legislation link

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