ARS | Publication request: SALMONELLA ISOLATES COLLECTED FROM SWINE FARMS WITH DIFFERENT ANTIMICROBIAL USE PROGRAMS

Submitted to: American Association of Swine Practitioners Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 11, 2000
Publication Date: March 11, 2000
Citation: Cray, P.J., Ladely, S.R., Reeves, D. 2000. Salmonella isolates collected from swine farms with different antimicrobial use programs. American Association of Swine Practitioners Proceedings. P. 335-336

Technical Abstract: The development of resistance in bacteria to antimicrobial agents has emerged as a global problem. Use of antimicrobials in both human and animal populations is being scrutinized in nosocomial infection is most often limited to hospitals. Commensal bacteria can serve as vectors for transfer of resistance genes to zoonotic pathogens. Although use of antimicrobials is contraindicated in most cases of food borne illness, immune status, resulting septicemia, and other factors may warrant their use and resistance to treatment can result in increased morbidity and mortality. In the animal population, antimicrobials are used both therapeutically and non-therapeutically. Therapeutic use is thought to play a minor role in the development of resistance. However, treatment of entire flocks or herds may alter resistance outcome. Conversely, use of antimicrobials in large numbers of animals in low concentrations over long periods of time for prevention of disease and/or performance enhancement is thought to significantly increase resistance. Since use of antimicrobial drugs can result in the selection of bacterial populations that may become resistant, particularly when the antimicrobial is over prescribed or improperly used, any use must be carefully monitored. No consensus has been reached over the non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials in food animal production and debate focuses on the merits and consequences of both therapeutic and non-therapeutic use in animal production. This objective of this study was to determine the effect different antimicrobial use patterns have on the development/transfer/persistence of resistance on the farm.