12.07.2011

Scientists at two European Union agencies have combined their expertise to analyse Member State data and compile the first joint EU report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic bacteria affecting humans, animals and food. Compiled by the EFSA and ECDC, the report indicates that resistance to antimicrobials was observed in zoonotic bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which may cause infectious diseases transmissible between animals and humans and which can be found in foods. The report also presents antimicrobial resistance data for non-disease causing bacteria such as indicator E. coli and enterococci, that usually do not cause disease in humans.

•Campylobacter: In humans, high levels of resistance were recorded for the antimicrobial ciprofloxacin (47 per cent) as well as for resistance to ampicillin (43 per cent) and nalidixic acid (40 per cent).
•Salmonella: The report shows that resistance to common antimicrobials like ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphonamide was moderate, with around 20 per cent of the tested bacteria considered resistant. Resistance to clinically important antimicrobials – third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones – was below 10 per cent.
•Campylobacter: In animals, showed high levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin. This was in particular the case for chickens (46 per cent in Campylobacter jejuni and 78 per cent in the Campylobacter coli).
•Salmonella: In animals, high levels of resistance were recorded for ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphonamide in chicken meat (27 to 33 per cent). A moderate level of resistance to ciprofloxacin was recorded in chickens and chicken meat (around 20 per cent).