Resistance to tetracycline in Escherichia coli isolates from poultry meat: epidemiology, policy and perspective
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Date
2017Author
Ljubojević, Dragana
Pelić, Miloš
Puvača, Nikola
Milanov, Dubravka
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Show full item recordAbstract
Food borne transmission of antibiotic resistant strains of Escherichia coli from
contaminated food has been recognised as an important hazard for human
health in the past few decades and pathogenic strains of E. coli have long been
considered as serious zoonotic hazards. Poultry meat is attractive for consumers
worldwide, so the measures to preserve the safety of poultry meat are important
issues. Tetracyclines are one of the most frequently used antibiotics in poultry
farming and are still used in human medicine. The widespread use of
tetracyclines in poultry farming may have resulted in the development and
transmission of resistance strains from poultry to humans via the food chain.
The relationship between the use of tetracyclines and the presence of resistant
strains of E. coli in poultry meat, mainly due to the irregular use of antibiotics,
is reviewed in this paper. The need for prudent use of antibiotics, particularly those
which are used in human medicine is highlighted. Continuous monitoring and
reporting on incidents in the future should improve the current regulations.