A recent report done by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reveals global use of antimicrobial drugs has decreased by 13% in a span of three years. The report serves as welcome news amid worldwide concern of antimicrobial overuse and resistance.
The report is WOAH’s seventh annual analysis of antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals. The findings of this report outline the global scale of antimicrobial usage, specifically that of widely-used antibiotics.
The 137-page report revealed that in 2021, nearly three-quarters of the study participants no longer use antimicrobial agents for growth promotion in animals. These participants did so either with or without regulations or legislation outlining conditions for use.
Notably, usage of colistin, recognized as the “highest priority critically important” antimicrobial for humans, has been reduced by more than half from 2016 to 2021. This notable reduction in use serves as proof of the implementation of WOAH’s guidance to restrict its use as a growth promoter.
The report also found tetracyclines and penicillin to be the most utilized antimicrobial agents globally, accounting for 35.6 % and 13.3%, respectively.
According to the World Health Organization, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs across all species, humans, animals and plants, is the key force behind the development of dangerous, drug-resistant pathogens. These pathogens pose a major threat to human health.
Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, antimicrobials have served as a key defense against bacteria, and have been used to treat the likes of minor scrapes to severe infections. Commonly used antimicrobial drugs, such as antibiotics, have championed higher standards of living and increased the overall health and well-being of humans, animals and plants, WOAH said.
A decrease in antibiotic efficacy has dire consequences. In a world where antibiotics no longer pack a punch, minor medical practices and surgeries could turn into life-threatening procedures.
Research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019 revealed that each year, 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in the U.S. are directly caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi.
In order to preserve the performance and longevity of our current lineup of antibiotics, their liberal overuse, mismanagement and use for blanket treatment must be addressed, the report said. The development of new antibiotics is an expensive endeavor, both in time and money necessary to bring to fruition.
In fact, the development of a new antibiotic demands a $1 billion investment and a decade of research and development, according to WOAH. With these costs in mind, it is imperative that strategic and forward-thinking antimicrobial use practices are demanded across all industries.
WOAH is not the only group focused on mitigating the impacts of antimicrobial resistance. The Food and Drug Administration is currently in Phase 1 of its five-year action plan to support antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings.
Antimicrobial resistance is more than a theory. Livestock producers are experiencing firsthand the implications of such resistance. According to Cornell researcher Loren Tauer, establishing preconditioning regimens in cattle as an industry norm could greatly reduce the need for antimicrobials in the beef industry.
With increasing scrutiny to implement more stringent use of antimicrobial drugs, it seems as though the war on antimicrobial resistance is only beginning. — Rebel Sjeklocha, WLJ correspondent
