Monitoring exposure to antibiotics and assessing the risks associated with antibiotic resistance in the context of the marketing of veterinary antibiotics
Within ANSES, the National Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products authorizes the marketing in France of antibiotic veterinary medicinal products. The monitoring of sales of antibiotics for veterinary use also makes it possible to assess the exposure of animals to antibiotics and to follow the evolution of practices in the different animal species. The information collected is one of the essential elements, along with the monitoring of bacterial resistance, to enable an assessment of the risks associated with antibiotic resistance. This information also makes it possible to propose measures for managing this risk and to monitor their effects.
Study the presence of antibiotics and resistant bacteria in the environment
While antibiotic resistance is a well-studied phenomenon in humans and animals, its spread in the environment is less known. However, some resistance genes that currently pose problems in medicine come from bacteria in the environment. In November 2020, ANSES submitted an expert report on the presence of resistant bacteria and antibiotics in the environment, the first inventory of knowledge on the subject.
Conduct research to better monitor and understand antibiotic resistance
ANSES’s laboratories also carry out numerous research projects which provide better knowledge of antibiotic resistance.
This work may aim to improve surveillance of antibiotic resistance, for example by improving methods for detecting resistant bacteria and the operation of surveillance systems.
Other work aims to better understand how antibiotic-resistant bacteria are selected and disseminated. For this, they adopt a global approach, taking into account humans, animals and the environment.
Research is also being conducted on alternatives to antibiotics. The goal is to use these drugs less and to circumvent the resistance of certain bacteria to antibiotics.
Participate in European and international reference work in the field of antibiotic resistance
ANSES is a World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) collaborating center on veterinary medicinal products and a reference center for antimicrobial resistance for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Within the framework of these mandates, the Agency has an advisory role with these institutions and support for the Member States to guarantee the rational use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine and to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
ANSES’s recommendations for improving the monitoring and fight once morest antibiotic resistance
Promote a global approach, including people, animals and the environment
Some resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes are also found in the environment. The fight once morest antibiotic resistance therefore requires a global approach, including human beings, animals and the environment.
Create a European network for monitoring antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine
Today, only surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in healthy animals and in meat is harmonized at European level. Several countries, including France, also monitor antibiotic resistance in sick animals. The scientists have shown that differences in trends are possible between the data from the monitoring of healthy and sick animals. ANSES, together with various European institutes, is working to create a European network for monitoring antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine (EARS-Vet). Like the monitoring carried out at the national level by Résapath, it would monitor the level of resistance of bacteria taken from sick animals. Its creation would help to better define the proper use of veterinary antibiotics at European level.
Study new bacteria
Currently, only bacteria that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as Salmonella or Campylobacter or considered a good indicator of the level of general antibiotic resistance, such as Escherichia coli, are regularly monitored. However, other bacteria, responsible for diseases causing significant losses in farms and requiring the use of drugs, might also benefit from such monitoring. ANSES is thus exploring the possibility of monitoring the resistance of bacteria which are not currently taken into account in monitoring systems, such as mycoplasmas.
Improve monitoring of environmental contamination
Following the submission in November 2020 of an initial expert appraisal on the presence of antibiotics and resistant bacteria in the environment, ANSES recommends that all studies on antibiotic resistance in the environment follow a set of indicators including: antibiotics, a resistant bacterium and a resistance gene. It also recommends taking into account the fate of drug residues in time and space of contamination.
