BfR-symposiaonfoodbornevirusesandantibioticresistancesinthefoodchain
Dec 3, 2018 - Foods
BfR-symposiaonfoodbornevirusesandantibioticresistancesinthefoodchain
As part of two events at the BfR on food-associated viruses and antibiotic resistances in the food chain, the BfR has published a summary:
"The number of foodborne illnesses caused by viruses is steadily increasing. Hepatitis E is increasingly transmitted via food from infected pigs and wild animals. The cases of foodborne infections with noro- and hepatitis A viruses are also rising. To address the growing significance of these viruses, a European reference laboratory for foodborne viruses has been established. Although the detection methods for viruses in food have significantly improved in recent years, extensive research is still needed on how these viruses are transmitted and what measures can prevent their spread."
The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has significantly declined in Germany in recent years. Since 2011, the quantities of antimicrobial veterinary pharmaceuticals supplied to veterinarians have been recorded in Germany. Since then, these quantities have continuously decreased from 1,706 tons in 2011 by 57% to about 733 tons in 2017, while meat production continues to increase. The frequency of antibiotic therapy in livestock in Germany is also declining, as shown by the BfR's research project Vet-CAb (Veterinary Consumption of Antibiotics).
During the same period, antibiotic resistances in some bacteria in the food chain have declined. A study from 2009 to 2016 shows that in naturally occurring E. coli in broilers and turkeys, the proportion of resistant germs to most of the antibiotics tested in the study has significantly decreased. Especially drug classes used in large quantities or frequently in livestock show a declining trend in both consumption and resistance rates of E. coli. However, the study also shows that high resistance rates still exist in both poultry production chains, meaning they may continue to be a significant source of resistant germs and their resistance genes in humans.
No all-clear is given for the antibiotic group of fluoroquinolones. Resistance to these has increased in some bacterial species in recent years. There was also no significant declining trend in the frequency of therapy. Scientists therefore recommend closely monitoring this trend in the future.
A particular challenge is resistances to so-called reserve substances. These are used in human medicine when the effectiveness of other antibiotics has already been ruled out. Due to the increase in resistances to other substances, the WHO has elevated the significance of the polypeptide antibiotic colistin. However, this substance was previously one of the most frequently used substances in animal husbandry. Due to its importance, coordinated global measures are needed to limit the spread of colistin resistances. For this, a restrictive use of such reserve substances is imperative in the future."
The lectures from the events and additional materials are planned to be published on the website in the coming days.
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Source: www.bfr-akademie.de