From farm to fork: The fight against antibiotic resistance in poultry

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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an escalating threat driven by the overuse of antibiotics, with poultry farming at the heart of the issue. What once served as a shield against disease and a tool for growth now fuels the rise of resistant infections, endangering both human and animal health. In India, the rampant misuse of antibiotics in poultry has triggered serious public health concerns, including life-threatening infections in children.

Combatting AMR calls for more than quick fixes—it demands a thoughtful approach. Strengthening hygiene practices, embracing responsible antibiotic use, and exploring alternatives like vaccines and probiotics are essential steps.

Antimicrobial medicines are crucial for treating infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, overusing these medications has allowed bacteria and other microorganisms to become resistant. This rising issue, known as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), poses a serious global health threat. Misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health, as well as in agriculture, spreads resistance genes and contributes to a “Silent Pandemic” that could lead to more deaths than other causes by 2050. AMR makes it harder to treat infections from resistant pathogens, impacting both people and animals. It occurs when bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses evolve, making common treatments like antibiotics less effective. Tackling this problem is essential for protecting health and ensuring effective disease treatment.

Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin antibiotics in 1928 marked the advent of modern antibiotics, bridging ancient practices with current medical practices. Following World War II, the “golden era” of antibiotic discovery resulted in identifying numerous antibiotics still in use today. Antimicrobial medicines are essential medicines given in modern healthcare to treat common infections and perform critical medical procedures, including cancer treatments, cesarean sections, and other surgeries.

Today, the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials for treating and preventing infections have led to genetic changes in pathogens, facilitating their emergence and spread. Between 2000 and 2010, global antibiotic use surged by 36%, and infectious diseases now account for 20% of worldwide mortality. In hospitals, multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections significantly increase healthcare costs and prolong patient stays, with 15% of hospital-acquired infections linked to MDR organisms that have no effective treatment options.

According to the 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 2.8 million AMR infections and 35,000 deaths each year in the U.S. In North America, AMR now causes over 2 million infections annually, resulting in 23,000 deaths. Meanwhile, Europe reports around 700,000 cases of AMR infections, leading to 33,000 deaths each year.

Use of antibiotics in poultry production

The poultry industry began using antibiotics in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s. Initially, these antibiotics were primarily employed to treat specific bacterial infections in poultry. However, their role has evolved, and they are now increasingly being used as growth promoters and disease preventatives to support large-scale production. Given that poultry is a significant global food industry, producing over 90 billion tons of chicken meat annually, the demand for various antimicrobial agents has surged. In many countries, antimicrobials are often viewed as substitutes for effective biosecurity and hygiene practices on farms.

While antibiotics can enhance productivity in poultry farming, their excessive use to meet high production demands poses significant health risks. When antibiotics are administered, they kill off non-resistant bacteria, allowing stronger, resistant strains to survive and multiply. These resistant bacteria can then share their resistance genes with other bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat in humans. If poultry products become contaminated with these resistant strains, the risks extend to consumers, complicating the treatment of infections and potentially leading to serious health issues.

Over the past few decades, India’s poultry production has undergone a massive transformation, evolving from a backyard activity to a major commercial venture. This shift has led to the establishment of integrated farming systems that combine poultry with other agricultural practices, such as crop production and fisheries. In these systems, antibiotics are used not only for protection against bacteria and pathogens but also for growth promotion.

Many people may wonder how they are exposed to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) even if they haven’t directly consumed antibiotics. The answer lies in the food we eat. When livestock and poultry are treated with antibiotics, resistant bacteria can develop in their systems. These bacteria can contaminate meat, eggs, and dairy products during processing and handling. When consumers eat these contaminated foods, they can inadvertently introduce resistant bacteria into their own bodies. Additionally, resistant strains can spread through the food supply, affecting not only those who consume animal products but also those who come into contact with contaminated surfaces or products. This means that AMR can affect anyone, even if they haven’t taken antibiotics themselves, highlighting the importance of addressing antibiotic use in agriculture for public health.

This growing reliance on antibiotics has led to severe public health challenges in India. Alarmingly, a child dies every nine minutes from antibiotic-resistant infections, and approximately 50,000 infants are at risk of fatal sepsis due to ineffective antibiotics. As the poultry industry continues to expand, it is crucial to address these health risks while balancing the need for productivity in food production.

Key antibiotics utilized in poultry farming

Chickens are often given a variety of antibiotics through their daily food and water. The Poultry Extension highlights some of the most commonly used ones:

– Aminoglycosides: Used to treat intestinal infections.

– Bambermycins: Prevent bacterial cell wall formation.

– Beta-lactams: Includes penicillins and cephalosporins.

– Ionophores: Help prevent intestinal infections.

– Lincosamides: Treat joint and bone infections.

– Macrolides: Address necrotic enteritis, a condition caused by overeating.

– Quinolones: Broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against many bacteria.

– Streptogramins: Inhibit cell wall formation and protein synthesis, used to prevent and treat necrotic enteritis.

– Sulfonamides: Fight pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.

Effective strategies for combating AMR in poultry

As poultry consumption rises, the high density of animals in production flocks increases the risk of spreading infectious agents, including antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. Several pathogens in poultry flocks, meat, and eggs are challenging to eliminate, requiring improvements throughout the production system.

Interventions in poultry production can be divided into pre-harvest and post-harvest measures. Pre-harvest strategies aim to maintain animal health and prevent infections by administering protective compounds through feed or water.

As per Dr Beena C Joseph, expert in Poultry Science, “Antibiotics were used earlier in commercial poultry diets as growth promoters to enhance growth and reduce mortality. However, the emerging concern on AMR has resulted in the supplementation of alternative sources having desired goals in livestock and poultry diets. One such alternative is prebiotics which are non-digestible food ingredients that are activating the beneficial bacterial metabolism in the gut. On the other hand, probiotics which are live beneficial bacteria are also widely used as alternatives to antibiotics”

Post-harvest efforts aim to reduce or eliminate pathogens in poultry carcasses and eggs. This includes applying treatments to food products, packaging, and processing equipment to minimize contamination and spoilage. Maintaining good hygiene practices throughout the entire production chain—from the farm to processing facilities—is also vital. For example, transporting birds under stressful conditions can lead to loose feces, increasing the risk of cross-contamination during transit.

To reduce antimicrobial use, implementing innovative hygiene practices in housing and feeding systems is essential. Alternatives such as vaccines and dietary supplements can also play a significant role. Educating farmers and veterinarians about responsible husbandry practices further supports these initiatives. Together, these strategies are crucial for managing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and protecting public health.

Future Ahead

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a serious challenge to public health, especially within the poultry industry, which plays a crucial role in global meat production and ultimately affects human health. The rampant use of antibiotics in poultry farming compromises livestock health and poses risks to humans, highlighting the urgent need for action.

To effectively tackle this issue, a comprehensive strategy is important. This strategy should promote responsible antibiotic use, implement hygienic breeding practices, enhance biosecurity measures, and explore innovative alternatives like vaccines. By taking these steps, we can reduce reliance on antibiotics and curb the spread of resistant strains.

While the challenges are significant, there is hope. With concerted effort and collaboration across the industry, we can create a sustainable future that safeguards health for both animals and humans.