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Foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR): an economic concern









Topazio, D., Moledina, A. and LeJeune. J. 2023. Foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR): an economic concern. Rome, FAO.



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    White paper: Antimicrobial resistance in the animal sector in India 2024
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    The phenomenon in which bacteria do not respond to antibiotics, when given in accordance with standard treatment guidelines, is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It leads to prolonged treatment, longer infectivity of the patient, use of additional and expensive investigations and potentially toxic drugs, and huge economic cost to the patient, society, and the country. AMR has been developing rapidly against even newly discovered antibiotics. The bacteria are versatile and ingenious in developing a plethora of defence mechanisms against antibiotics. Many bacterial species have accumulated resistance to multiple drugs. These are known as multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms and in layman language as “superbugs”. The spectrum and reach of MDR pathogens have been rapidly increasing. AMR in animal pathogens makes disease treatments ineffective, increases the severity of the disease, reduces productivity and leads to economic losses. In addition, more than half the quantity of antimicrobials used in animals/fish is excreted as waste contaminating soil, water and the environment. This also contributes to the emergence and spread of AMR through selection pressure on microorganisms in the environment. Besides, antimicrobial usage can lead to antimicrobials residues in the edible animal/fish products which are a public health risk.
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    Book (series)
    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting in collaboration with OIE on Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance: Role of the Environment, Crops and Biocides
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    2019
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    Responding to the request from the 39th Session Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and the ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TFAMR) for information about antimimcrobial resistance, this report provides scientific advice on the subject derived from a joint “FAO/WHO expert meeting on foodborne antimicrobial resistance: role of environment, crops and biocides” on 11-15 June 2018 in Rome, Italy. There is clear scientific evidence that foods of plant origin may serve as a vehicle of foodborne exposure to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Aquaculture products can also carry bacteria that are resistant to medically important antimicrobials. As such, concerted efforts should be made to mitigate their contamination at all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption. Notably, antimicrobials should only be used in crop production according to label guidelines in the context of integrated pest management strategies. To improve food safety, best management practices should be adhered to with respect to the use of human and animal wastes for soil amendment purposes and for the prevention of environmental contamination where aquatic animals are raised for food. Foods of plant and aquatic animal origin food incorporated in to integrated surveillance plans for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring. Because of the theoretical potential for disinfecting chemical to co-select for AMR, biocides should be used according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
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    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Antimicrobial resistance and our food systems: challenges and solution 2016
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    Brochure on antimicrobial resistance. Disease-causing micro-organisms naturally evolve resistance to the medicines used to treat them. The dilemma of antimicrobial medicines is that when they are misused or overused, they can become drivers for increased frequency of AMR emergence and the spread of AMR in pathogens. Medicines that were once effective treatments become less so – or even useless. This is a problem in the human health arena and for veterinary healthcare as well, and it has broader implications for development, people’s livelihoods, and food security

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