While drug-resistant bacteria such as E. coli are common in the industrial broiler chicken environment, a new study is the first in the US to show 
exposure occurring at a high level among industrial poultry workers.Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that workers were 32 times more likely to carry E. coli bacteria resistant to the commonly used antibiotic gentamicin than those working in other areas.The results, published in the December 2007 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives, suggest that food processing could play a greater role than previously thought in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. "One of the major implications of this study is to underscore the importance of the non-hospital environment in the origin of drug resistant infections," said Ellen K. Silbergeld, PhD, senior author of the study.Similar results have already been shown in Europe, say the US researchers, although human exposure to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through food has been examined much more extensively than occupational and environmental routes.
exposure occurring at a high level among industrial poultry workers.Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that workers were 32 times more likely to carry E. coli bacteria resistant to the commonly used antibiotic gentamicin than those working in other areas.The results, published in the December 2007 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives, suggest that food processing could play a greater role than previously thought in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. "One of the major implications of this study is to underscore the importance of the non-hospital environment in the origin of drug resistant infections," said Ellen K. Silbergeld, PhD, senior author of the study.Similar results have already been shown in Europe, say the US researchers, although human exposure to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through food has been examined much more extensively than occupational and environmental routes. The findings will lend weight to those who are critical of antibiotic use in the poultry sector. Antibiotic resistant has become a serious problem for public health services around the world.
Currently 16 different antimicrobial drugs are approved for use in US poultry production with gentamicin reported to be the most widely used.
Source:AP-foodtechnology.com
Aporte: Guillermo Figueroa
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario