A new joint report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicates that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in common foodborne bacteria, specifically Salmonella and Campylobacter, remains a public health concern across Europe. These bacteria can spread from animals and food to humans, potentially causing severe infections that may require antimicrobial treatment.
The new joint report from EFSA and ECDC indicates that antimicrobial resistance in common foodborne bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter remains a significant public health concern across Europe.
Key Findings: The Persistent Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance
Widespread and Concerning Resistance Levels
The report reveals that resistance to commonly used antimicrobials persists in foodborne bacteria across the continent. This widespread resistance makes infections harder to treat, limiting available options for effective antimicrobial therapies.
Ciprofloxacin: A Growing Challenge
A high proportion of Campylobacter and Salmonella from humans and food-producing animals show resistance to ciprofloxacin. This is particularly alarming as resistance in human Salmonella infections has increased. Consequently, ciprofloxacin is no longer recommended for human Campylobacter infections due to its widespread ineffectiveness, and its use in animals has also been restricted.
Resistance to Other Key Antimicrobials
Beyond ciprofloxacin, the report notes that Salmonella and Campylobacter from both humans and food-producing animals also exhibit resistance to ampicillin, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. These are other crucial antimicrobials often relied upon for treating bacterial infections.
Alarming Emergence: Carbapenemase-Producing E. coli
The detection of carbapenemase-producing E. coli in food-producing animals and meat in several countries is a serious concern. Carbapenems are considered last-resort antimicrobials for humans and are not authorized for animal use. The increasing number of reported detections necessitates further urgent investigation to understand and mitigate this threat.
Resistance to crucial antimicrobials like ciprofloxacin remains high, and the worrying emergence of carbapenemase-producing E. coli in the food chain underscores the persistent and evolving nature of the AMR threat.
Encouraging Developments: Glimmers of Hope in the Fight Against AMR
Despite the ongoing challenges, the report also identifies several positive trends, indicating that concerted efforts can yield results.
Positive Declines in Resistance
Several countries have reported encouraging decreases in resistance to specific antimicrobials over time. For Salmonella, a significant decline in resistance in bacteria from humans to ampicillin and tetracyclines has been observed over the past decade in numerous countries. Similar positive trends were also noted in food-producing animals.
Erythromycin's Resilience Against Campylobacter
Resistance to erythromycin, a first-line treatment for Campylobacter infections, has thankfully decreased in some countries. This positive development is seen in both humans and certain food-producing animals, offering more effective treatment options where resistance has fallen.
Low Combined Resistance to Critically Important Antimicrobials
The report highlights that combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials remains generally low in Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. This suggests that while individual resistances are present, the bacteria are not yet widely resistant to multiple last-resort treatments simultaneously.
Stabilization and Improvements in E. coli Resistance
While improvements have slowed in some areas, particularly concerning E. coli resistance levels in poultry, certain countries have successfully reduced AMR in food-producing animals, contributing to an overall EU-level improvement. This demonstrates that targeted interventions can effectively manage and reduce resistance levels.
Despite widespread resistance concerns, there are encouraging developments, including declining resistance to ampicillin and tetracyclines in Salmonella, reduced erythromycin resistance in Campylobacter, and generally low combined resistance to critically important antimicrobials.
The Path Forward: Sustained Action and a One Health Approach
The findings from this joint report clearly underscore the critical importance of ongoing, coordinated action against antimicrobial resistance. When bacteria develop resistance, infections become significantly more challenging to treat, leading to limited and often more aggressive treatment options.
Resistance patterns vary significantly between countries, bacteria, and antimicrobials. These variations are attributed to diverse factors, including differences in antimicrobial usage, farming practices, animal health measures, and infection prevention strategies.
A One Health approach, which acknowledges the profound interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and food production, is considered absolutely essential to tackle AMR effectively.
Continued responsible use of antimicrobials across all sectors, combined with effective infection prevention, robust animal health, and stringent food safety practices, is crucial. These integrated efforts are vital to slow the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria, thereby safeguarding public health throughout Europe.