Some bacteria in humans, animals and foods continue to exhibit resistance to widely used antimicrobials, says the latest report on antimicrobial resistance in bacteria (AMR) from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The report's findings highlight that AMR poses a serious threat to public and animal health. Infections caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria cause around 25 000 deaths each year in the EU.
Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a major concern as it endangers human and animal health. We have made considerable efforts to stop its increase, but this is not enough. We have to be faster, stronger and act on several fronts. This is why the Commission will launch a new action plan this summer which will provide a new framework for coordinating future actions to reduce the spread of AMR."
The report shows that, in general, multidrug resistance in bacteria of Salmonella it is high across the EU. However, experts note that resistance to antimicrobials of primary importance, used in the treatment of severe cases of infection by Salmonella in humans, it remains low. Salmonellosis, the disease caused by these bacteria, is the second most commonly reported foodborne disease in the EU.
Says Mike Catchpole, Scientific Director of ECDC: “Especially worrying is the fact that some types of Salmonella common in humans, such as the SalmonellaTyphimurium monophasic, have a very high multidrug resistance. The cautious use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine is extremely important in addressing the challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance. We all have a responsibility to ensure that antibiotics continue to be effective."
The report also highlights that levels of antimicrobial resistance in Europe continue to vary by geographic region, with countries in northern and western Europe generally having lower levels of resistance than those in southern and eastern Europe. Marta Hugas, Head of EFSA's Biological Hazards and Contaminants Unit, says: “These geographical variations are probably due to differences in the use of antimicrobials in the EU. For example, countries where actions have been taken to reduce, replace and rethink the use of antimicrobials in animals show lower levels of antimicrobial resistance and a declining trend”.
This year's publication of the report is accompanied by a data visualization tool, which shows, country by country, data on the levels of resistance of some bacteria found in food, animals and humans.
Explore the data: Antimicrobial resistance in Europe
The report also includes the following findings with possible public health consequences:
- antibiotic resistance was detected for the first time carbapenems as part of the EU-wide annual monitoring of animals and food. Carbapenems are usually the final treatment option for patients infected with bacteria resistant to other available antibiotics. Very low levels of resistance have been observed in bacteria E. coli found in pigs and pork.
- E. coli extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producer it has been found in beef and pork, pigs and calves. Bacteria that produce ESBL enzymes show multidrug resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, which include penicillin derivatives and cephalosporins. The prevalence of E. coli ESBL producer ranged from low to very high across countries (read more on our data visualization tool).
- It has been found colistin resistance at very low levels Salmonella and E. coli present in pigs and cattle. The use of colistin to control infections in animals, particularly pigs, is commonly accepted in some countries. In particular circumstances it can be used in humans as an antibiotic of last resort.
- Beyond the 10% of the bacteria of Campylobacter coli found in humans showed resistance to two major antimicrobials (fluoroquinolones and macrolides), which are used to treat severe infections from Campylobacter in man. Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported foodborne disease in the EU.
- Scientific Reports: The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2015
Information notes
This year's report presents the results of the analysis of data submitted by Member States for 2015, targeting pigs and cattle. Next year the report will cover broilers, laying hens and turkeys.
Related news: WHO publishes list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed
