PARMA, ITALY – A study stating resistance to antimicrobials is found among the most common zoonotic bacteria originating from animals and food in the European Uinon (E.U.), such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, has been published by the European Food Safety Authority (E.F.S.A.). Zoonotic bacteria resistant to antimicrobials are of concern since they might compromise the effective treatment of diseases in humans, E.F.S.A. relays.

According to the study, resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, sulphonamide and tetracycline was commonly found among tested zoonotic bacteria. Several member states reported resistance to fluoroquinolones, macrolides or third-generation cephalosporins, which are important antibiotics in treating diseases in humans. High levels of fluoroquinolone resistance were recorded in Salmonella in poultry and in Campylobacter in poultry, pigs and cattle, as well as in broiler meat.

From 2004-2007, 26 member states sent their data to E.F.S.A.’s Zoonoses unit for the report, which is the third and final part of E.F.S.A.’s annual “Community Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses and Zoonotic Agents in the European Union in 2007”. This study also covered zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks in the E.U.