Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop resistance to antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics. AMR endangers human and animal health and there is increasing recognisiton that antimicrobial resistance can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.
The statement focuses on
- Expanding surveillance training for veterinary pathologists in the UK to cover all animals including pets, horses and fish.
- Further research and evaluation into the efficacy and safety of alternatives to antimicrobials such as bacteriophages, viruses that can kill bacteria, metal derived compounds that can be developed for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and probiotics, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria in farm animals.
- Investment in the development of veterinary vaccines and the promotion of their use.
- The development of rapid diagnostic tests to quickly identify infections, resistance and thus, the correct antimicrobial to use, reducing a reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics which can lead to the development of AMR.
- Improved data collection to optimise antimicrobial stewardship. Farmers should be further supported in using the Medicine Hub1, a database managed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board that helps farms record antibiotic use as participation in cattle and sheep farms remains low. In addition, initiatives to collect and report data on antibiotic sales and use in pets should be widened through additional funding and incentives.
Dr Pamela Kelly, Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist and Veterinary Pathology Specialty Advisory Committee Chair said
'Antibiotics are critical to human and animal medicine, but the emergence of antimicrobial resistance is of global concern. These recommendations will support veterinary microbiologists and pathologists to tackle the rise of resistance'.
Addressing AMR requires a 'One Health' approach which 'recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment, (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent'2.
Veterinary microbiologists and pathologists play a critical role in monitoring and preventing AMR, leading efforts in disease surveillance, diagnosis and antimicrobial stewardship, ensuring responsible antimicrobial use.
Read the position statement here:
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