Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An overview of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in veterinary medicine and their public health consequences.
- Journal:
- Journal of infection in developing countries
- Year:
- 2014
- Authors:
- Nóbrega, Diego Borin & Brocchi, Marcelo
- Affiliation:
- University of Campinas · Brazil
Plain-English summary
This research discusses a type of bacteria that can make infections in both pets and people harder to treat. These bacteria produce something called extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which can break down common antibiotics used in veterinary medicine. The spread of these bacteria is a big concern because it limits the options for treating infections. There is ongoing debate about how the use of antibiotics in farm animals might affect public health and whether it contributes to the rise of these resistant bacteria. The review aims to explore the presence of ESBLs in animals, their connection to human health, and ways to ensure that antibiotics remain effective.
Abstract
Serious human and animal infections caused by bacteria are usually treated with beta-lactams. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) constitute the most clinically and economically important enzymes that are able to hydrolyze and inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics in veterinary medicine. The spread of ESBLs represents a serious threat to healthcare systems, drastically undermining therapeutic options. The relationship between drug usage and the emergence of resistance has been extensively reported. Nevertheless, the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and the emergence of ESBLs in animals remains a matter of debate. Moreover, there is still controversy about whether antibiotic usage in farm animals poses a potential public health risk. This review will (i) deal with aspects related to the presence of ESBLs in veterinary medicine, (ii) its link with human medicine, and (iii) discuss strategies to be implemented to preserve antimicrobial effectiveness. New insights relative to old questions concerning antimicrobial use in domestic animals are also presented.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25116659/