Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is becoming a very serious problem in hospitals. The use of antibiotics in livestock farming is seen as an important source of resistant pathogens. Everyone therefore agrees that antibiotics must be used responsibly. Wageningen UR Livestock Research aims to work together with other universities and research institutes in the battle against unnecessary antibiotic use.
Position paper
Current research into antibiotic resistance is very fragmented. The various organisations involved with this issue – Wageningen UR, the Animal Health Service Deventer (GD), the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University – all have their own expertise and research lines. Wageningen UR Livestock Research is therefore urging the publication of a joint 'position paper' with a research agenda for the future. In this paper the universities and research institutes will indicate how they will jointly tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance, together with government and the business community, to arrive at the best solutions.
Stronger together
The universities and research institutes are very complementary to each other. Wageningen UR Livestock Research and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht have a great deal of fundamental expertise in the field of prevention, diagnostics and treatment; the GD has access to a powerful network of livestock farmers and veterinarians; and the RIVM – from the human health perspective – has a great deal of expertise about the mechanisms behind the development of antibiotic resistance. By joining this expertise together, we will become stronger.
Seeking solutions
Everyone agrees that a solution to antibiotic resistance is required; this is obvious from reading the newspapers. Antibiotic use in livestock farming appears to be an important source of resistant pathogens, such as the hospital bacteria MRSA. Approximately 30% of pig farmers carry this bacteria, and for this reason hospitals often treat them in isolation. Solutions for this problem involve not only the development of alternative medication for sick animals, but also improved livestock housing and nutrition. For example, good intestinal flora ensure that animals do not become sick as quickly, and therefore require fewer antibiotics.