The use of antibiotics in livestock farming is a common practice, but a recent study conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the Statens Serum Institut has shown that it can also pose a threat to human health. The study revealed that pigs can transmit multi-resistant bacteria to humans, which can cause serious illnesses. The focus of the study was on Clostridioides difficile, one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. The researchers found that the strains of the bacteria found in pigs were genetically identical to those found in humans, indicating that the bacteria can be transmitted between animals and humans.
The study used DNA sequencing to examine the samples for possible drug resistance. The results showed that the intensive use of antibiotics in livestock farming can promote the spread of resistant pathogens, which can ultimately infect humans. While the study did not conclusively prove that the strains were transmitted from pigs to humans, it did provide evidence that the use of antibiotics in agriculture can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance.
The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is a controversial issue, and several European health organizations have recently recommended reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock farming. However, globally, two-thirds of these drugs are still administered to farm animals, which can lead to the development of resistance that can be transmitted to humans through meat and contact with animals. The study’s lead author, Semeh Bejaoui, warns that the findings suggest that antibiotic resistance can spread further than previously thought, and confirms the links in the resistance chain that lead from farm animals to humans.
