Report on antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic and commensal bacteria in food-producing animals and meat products - 2014-2021

 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now considered a global emergency, whose growth is primarily due to the improper use of antibiotics. In Italy, two National Plans to Fight Antibiotic Resistance (PNCAR) have been adopted starting from 2017 for the triennia 2017-2020 and 2022-2025. The latest plan is based on the experience gained with the implementation of the previous plan and on international recommendations, with a focus on strengthening surveillance both in human and veterinary fields.

 

 

In the veterinary sector, monitoring of AMR in food-producing animals is implemented based on the Decision (EU) 2020/1729 "on monitoring and reporting on antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic and commensal bacteria". According to the provisions of the aforementioned decision, the Ministry of Health develops and coordinates the National Monitoring Plan on AMR, which is tailored according to a pattern that repeats every other year and it involves conducting antibiotic sensitivity tests on bacterial isolates from samples representative of the national population of:

 

- broiler and fattening turkeys in even years

 

- fattening pigs and cattle under 12 months of age in odd years.

 

 

 

The report , published in January 2024, shows crucial data to assess the effectiveness of the strategies adopted and to guide future initiatives achieved through these monitoring activities. The document aims to make the data more accessible and to provide an overview of the current state of resistance in Italy through representative indicators.

 

 

 

Summary results

 

 

 

Prevalence and trend of multidrug resistance (3+R) for E. coli commensal indicator in the species under investigation

 

1. The data produced by the monitoring plan, based on a nationally representative study design, showed that compared to the European average, in Italy multidrug resistance is widespread in all supply chains with a high proportion of MDR indicator E. coli and a low proportion of Fully Susceptible (FS) isolates.
2. Commensal indicator E. coli isolates showed multidrug resistance up to 8 molecules, and in some supply chains, such as the swine (2019) and bovine (2015) supply chains, up to 9 molecules.
3. Over time, there has been an overall decrease in multidrug resistance and an increase in the fully susceptible population in commensal indicator E. coli isolated from samples of intestinal contents of animals from both broiler and turkey farms:

• Between 2016 and 2020, there was a significant reduction in MDR indicator E. coli
• Between 2016 and 2020, there was a significant increase in the proportion of FS isolates.

1. In the cattle <12 months and pig supply chains, MDR and FS parameters remain fairly stable over time, with no real trends in resistance distribution over the years, however:

• In cattle <12 months, the lowest MDR value was recorded in 2021 and the highest value in the proportion of FS, although there are not significant variations compared to the past
• In pigs, significant variations were reported in 2021, with a reduction in MDR and an increase in the proportion of FS isolates compared to 2019.

 

 

Prevalence and trend for E. coli producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL/AmpC) and carbapenemase producers on the total epidemiological units sampled in the species under investigation

 

 

1. In Italy, since 2014, all supply chains have shown a high proportion of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli compared to the European average.
2. ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli isolates are characterized by very high levels of resistance to almost all molecules tested, and high levels of co-resistance to molecules classified as critically important in humans.
3. In the poultry supply chain, since 2017there has been a considerable decrease in the prevalence of the E. coli ESBL/AmpCpopulation in the samples analysed. These results are likely due to the application of prudent antibiotic use principles in production processes, with an overall reduction in the quantities of antibiotics used during production cycles.
4. Stable picture over time of the E. coli ESBL/AmpC population in the cattle <12 months and fattening pig supply chains, with persistence of higher prevalence compared to the European average.
5. In 2021, a slight decrease in prevalence was recorded in fattening pig samples, both in intestinal content and meat samples, compared to 2019.

 

 

Prevalence of carbapenemase-producing E. coli on the total epidemiological units sampled in the species under investigation (broiler, fattening turkey, pig, cattle <12 months)

 

 

1. In 2019, only one isolate of carbapenemase-producing E. coli was identified in a sample of pig intestinal contents; subsequently, in 2021, 21 isolates of carbapenemase-producing E. coli were found in intestinal content samples from different epidemiological units randomly selected during slaughter.
2. In 2021, for the first time, in the bovine supply chain, 5 isolates of carbapenemase-producing E. coli were identified in samples of intestinal contents of cattle <12 months old.
3. No carbapenemase-producing E. coli has been isolated in the chicken and turkey supply chains.

 

 

 

Further readings

 

 

Report on antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic and commensal bacteria in food-producing animals and meat products - 2014-2021

 

 

Harmonized monitoring plan on antimicrobial resistance of zoonotic and commensal bacteria, year 2024

 

 

 

Commission implementing decision (EU) 2020/1729 of 17 November 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source

Ministry of Health - General Directorate for Food Hygiene and Safety and Nutrition