BfR Symposia on Food-associated Viruses and Antibiotic Resistance in the Food Chain
Dec 20, 2018 - Foods
BfR Symposia on Food-associated Viruses and Antibiotic Resistance in the Food Chain
As part of two events at BfR on food-associated viruses and antibiotic resistance in the food chain, the BfR published a summary:
"... the number of foodborne diseases caused by viruses is steadily increasing. For example, Hepatitis E is being transmitted more frequently through food from infected pigs and wild animals. Cases of foodborne infections with Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus are also on the rise. To address the growing significance of these viruses, a European reference laboratory for foodborne viruses has been established. Although methods for detecting 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 declined significantly in Germany in recent years. Since 2011, the quantities of antimicrobial veterinary drugs dispensed to veterinarians have been recorded in Germany. Since then, these quantities have continuously decreased from 1706 tons (t) in 2011 by 57% to approximately 733 t in 2017, while meat production continues to rise. The frequency of antibiotic therapy in livestock in Germany is also decreasing, as shown by the BfR's research project VetCAb (Veterinary Consumption of Antibiotics).
During the same period, antibiotic resistance in some bacteria in the food chain has decreased. A study for the period from 2009 to 2016 shows that the proportion of resistant strains of E. coli found in broiler chickens and turkeys has significantly decreased against the majority of the antibiotics tested in the study. Especially classes of drugs that are used in large quantities or frequently in livestock show a declining trend in both usage volumes and resistance rates of E. coli. However, the study also shows that there are still high resistance rates in both poultry chains, so they can still be of significant importance as a source of resistant germs and their resistance genes in humans.
No all-clear can be given for the fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics. Resistances against these have increased in some bacterial species in recent years. There was also no significantly declining trend in therapy frequency for them. Scientists therefore recommend monitoring this trend closely in the future.
Resistance to so-called reserve drugs presents a particular challenge. These are used in human medicine when the efficacy of other antibiotics has already been ruled out. Due to the increase in resistance against other substances, the WHO has upgraded the importance of the polypeptide antibiotic colistin. However, the substance has so far been one of the most frequently used substances in animal husbandry. Due to their importance, worldwide coordinated measures are necessary to limit the spread of colistin resistance. In the future, a restrictive use of such reserve drugs is essential. ..."
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