Open AccessRole played by the environment in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the food chain
Author(s) -
Koutsoumanis Konstantinos,
Allende Ana,
ÁlvarezOrdóñez Avelino,
Bolton Declan,
BoverCid Sara,
Chemaly Marianne,
Davies Robert,
De Cesare Alessandra,
Herman Lieve,
Hilbert Friederike,
Lindqvist Roland,
Nauta Maarten,
Ru Giuseppe,
Simmons Marion,
Skandamis Panagiotis,
Suffredini Elisabetta,
Argüello Héctor,
Berendonk Thomas,
Cavaco Lina Maria,
Gaze William,
Schmitt Heike,
Topp Ed,
Guerra Beatriz,
Liébana Ernesto,
Stella Pietro,
Peixe Luisa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6651
Subject(s) - biology , biosecurity , antibiotic resistance , food safety , manure , microbiology and biotechnology , food chain , food processing , veterinary medicine , environmental health , food science , ecology , medicine , antibiotics
The role of food‐producing environments in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance ( AMR ) in EU plant‐based food production, terrestrial animals (poultry, cattle and pigs) and aquaculture was assessed. Among the various sources and transmission routes identified, fertilisers of faecal origin, irrigation and surface water for plant‐based food and water for aquaculture were considered of major importance. For terrestrial animal production, potential sources consist of feed, humans, water, air/dust, soil, wildlife, rodents, arthropods and equipment. Among those, evidence was found for introduction with feed and humans, for the other sources, the importance could not be assessed. Several ARB of highest priority for public health, such as carbapenem or extended‐spectrum cephalosporin and/or fluoroquinolone‐resistant Enterobacterales (including Salmonella enterica ), fluoroquinolone‐resistant Campylobacter spp., methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and glycopeptide‐resistant Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis were identified. Among highest priority ARG s bla CTX ‐M , bla VIM , bla NDM , bla OXA ‐48-like , bla OXA ‐23 , mcr , armA , vanA , cfr and optrA were reported. These highest priority bacteria and genes were identified in different sources, at primary and post‐harvest level, particularly faeces/manure, soil and water. For all sectors, reducing the occurrence of faecal microbial contamination of fertilisers, water, feed and the production environment and minimising persistence/recycling of ARB within animal production facilities is a priority. Proper implementation of good hygiene practices, biosecurity and food safety management systems is very important. Potential AMR ‐specific interventions are in the early stages of development. Many data gaps relating to sources and relevance of transmission routes, diversity of ARB and ARG s, effectiveness of mitigation measures were identified. Representative epidemiological and attribution studies on AMR and its effective control in food production environments at EU level, linked to One Health and environmental initiatives, are urgently required.