Antimicrobial Resistance: A Looming Threat in Veterinary Medicine

 A blog by International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), India.

A blog written By: Adarsh Bhambri & Vrinda Borkar.

One Health is

“an approach to address a health threat at the human-animal-environment interface based on collaboration, communication, and coordination across all relevant sectors and disciplines, with the ultimate goal of achieving optimal health outcomes for both people and animals; a One Health approach is applicable at the subnational, national, regional, and global level” 

 

What is the exact difference in antimicrobials and antibiotics?

Any drug, which kills or damages growth of any microbes including bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. are called antimicrobials.  Antimicrobials is a broader concept, which encompasses all the drugs, which affects different microbes while Antibiotics are the drugs, which kills or retards the growth of bacteria.

Antibacterial medications are derived from bacteria or moulds. While the term "antibiotic" technically refers to antimicrobials sourced from bacteria or moulds, it is commonly used interchangeably with "antibacterial medication."

Antibiotics work through various mechanisms of action, including:

• Inhibiting cell wall synthesis
• Increasing cell membrane permeability
• Interfering with protein synthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, and other metabolic processes (e.g., folic acid synthesis)

Antibiotics can interact with other medications, affecting their serum levels by altering their metabolism or through other mechanisms. Clinically significant interactions typically involve drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, where toxic levels are close to therapeutic levels. Additionally, certain medications can influence antibiotic levels, either increasing or decreasing their effectiveness.Many antibiotics are chemically related and are therefore classified into groups. While drugs within the same class share structural and functional similarities, they often differ in their pharmacological properties.

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ANTIBIOTICS*

Antibiotic Stewardship:

Optimal selection, dosage, duration of antimicrobial treatment that results in the best clinical outcome for treatment or prevention of infection with minimal toxicity and should not subsequently result in AMR._ Gerding DN. The search for good antimicrobial stewardship. Jt Comm J Qual Improv. 2001;27(8):403-404

WHY ANTIBIOTICS STEWARDSHIP IS NECESSARY?**

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) represents a grave global health challenge, transcending human and veterinary medicine. Defined as the ability of microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites—to withstand the effects of antimicrobials, AMR jeopardizes effective treatments, leading to increased mortality, economic losses, and compromised public health.

The Rise of AMR in Veterinary Medicine

The veterinary field, integral to food security and public health, plays a critical role in the AMR crisis. Antibiotics are extensively used in veterinary medicine to treat infections, prevent diseases, and promote growth in livestock. However, the indiscriminate and prolonged use of antimicrobials in animals has accelerated the emergence of resistant strains.

 

Several factors contribute to the rise of AMR in the spectrum of veterinary

1. Overuse in Food-Producing Animals: Antibiotics are often administered to livestock as growth promoters or prophylactics in densely populated farming systems, creating an environment conducive to the development of resistance. The biggest myth, which breeders have, is that antibiotics will help the animal grow and the animal will not be infected.
2. Lack of Regulation: Inadequate regulation and monitoring of antibiotic usage in animals have led to the misuse of these critical drugs.
3. Transmission to Humans: Resistant bacteria in animals can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, consumption of contaminated food products, or environmental pathways.
4. Insufficient Diagnostics: The absence of rapid and affordable diagnostic tools in veterinary clinics leads to empirical treatments, increasing the likelihood of inappropriate antibiotic use. In addition, antimicrobial sensitivity testing is not affordable to the owners and refusal to wait until the report arrives is the major cause of initiating empirical treatments.

RISE OF AMR 

Consequences of AMR in the Veterinary Sector

1. Therapeutic Failures: Resistant infections in animals result in prolonged illness, increased mortality, and higher treatment costs.
2. Economic Losses: AMR reduces productivity in livestock industries due to decreased growth rates, higher veterinary expenses, and trade restrictions.
3. Public Health Threat: The One Health framework underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Resistant pathogens originating in animals pose a significant risk to human health.

 

Combatting AMR in Veterinary Medicine: A multifaceted approach is essential to overcome or reduce AMR in the veterinary field:

1. Promoting Responsible Use: Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs ensures judicious use of antibiotics in animals.
2. Strengthening Policies: Regulatory frameworks must limit the use of critically important antibiotics in veterinary practice and enforce stringent monitoring. For instance, in India, owners can buy antibiotics without proper prescription. To avoid this proper rule must be implied.
3. Advancing Diagnostics: Developing advanced affordable diagnostic tools that can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
4. Raising Awareness: Educating veterinarians, farmers, breeders and all the animal handlers about the risks of AMR.
5.  Innovative Alternatives: Exploring non-antibiotic alternatives, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vaccines, can reduce dependence on antimicrobials.

 

Three interdependent sectors i.e. human health, animal health and ecosystem approached holistically while studying one health. Antimicrobial Resistance is a silent epidemic that threatens the efficacy of veterinary medicine and the broader ecosystem. Addressing this crisis requires a collaborative effort from governments, veterinarians, researchers, and the public. By adopting responsible practices and innovation, the veterinary sector can play a pivotal role in combating AMR, safeguarding animal health, and ensuring global health security.

• https://www.cdc.gov/antimicrobial-resistance/about/index.html
• https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/bacteria-and-antibacterial-medications/overview-of-antibacterial-medications
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771420301087
• * https://www.mdpi.com/antibiotics/antibiotics-13-00271/article_deploy/html/images/antibiotics-13-00271-g001-550.jpg
• ** https://www.vet.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/styles/imgfield_fw/public/dissemination.jpg?itok=zHxrO9oP

 A blog by International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), India

A blog written By: Adarsh Bhambri & Vrinda Borkar.

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