Study Finds Minimal Human Health Risk from Bacitracin Use in Poultry

Free range chickens peck in the grass looking for food on a sunny day

In recent years, concerns about the potential health risks associated with antibiotic use in livestock production have garnered significant attention. Among the antibiotics commonly used in poultry farming, bacitracin has been a subject of debate regarding its impact on human health. A recent study conducted by Randall Singer, DVM, PhD, from the University of Minnesota, sheds light on this issue, providing valuable insights into the negligible risk posed by bacitracin use in poultry on human health.

Introduction

Antibiotics play a crucial role in animal agriculture, including poultry farming, where they are used for disease prevention and treatment. Bacitracin, a polypeptide antibiotic, has been widely employed in broiler feed to combat necrotic enteritis and transmissible enteritis in chickens and turkeys. However, concerns have been raised about the potential transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from poultry to humans, posing a threat to public health.

Bacitracin and Its Usage in Poultry

Bacitracin was first approved for use in US animal feed over five decades ago. Since then, it has become a staple in the poultry industry, particularly in broiler feed formulations. The antibiotic’s primary role is to prevent and control necrotic enteritis, a common gastrointestinal disease in poultry caused by Clostridium spp. Additionally, it aids in controlling transmissible enteritis in growing turkeys.

Regulatory Perspectives on Bacitracin

The classification of bacitracin varies across regulatory agencies. While the World Health Organization (WHO) considers it medically important, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US categorizes it as “not medically important.” This disparity underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment of bacitracin’s impact on human health.

Quantitative Risk Assessment

Singer and his colleague, Timothy Johnson, PhD, embarked on a quantitative risk assessment to evaluate the potential risk of human infection with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria originating from poultry products due to bacitracin use. The study focused on Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, bacteria commonly found in poultry and known for their resistance to antibiotics.

Challenges in Risk Assessment

Linking on-farm bacitracin use to human health risks presents several challenges. Monitoring bacitracin resistance in bacteria and assessing its relevance to human health are complex tasks. However, leveraging data from healthcare-associated enterococcal infections and genomic analysis enabled the researchers to estimate the potential risk posed by poultry-derived bacteria.

Findings and Insights

The study revealed that poultry-derived isolates of E. faecalis and E. faecium exhibited minimal resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat enterococcal infections in humans. Notably, the presence of the bcrABDR gene locus, associated with bacitracin resistance, was rare among human-derived isolates. This finding indicates a low likelihood of poultry-derived bacteria impacting human therapy.

Implications for Human Health

Despite widespread use in poultry farming, bacitracin resistance remains limited in bacteria affecting human health. The negligible risk associated with bacitracin use underscores its continued efficacy in disease prevention and control in poultry without significant implications for human health.

Policy Considerations

The study’s findings have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in the poultry industry. As concerns about antibiotic resistance persist, judicious antibiotic use and adherence to regulatory guidelines are crucial. Balancing animal health needs with human health considerations is essential for sustainable livestock production.

Conclusion

In conclusion,the study conducted by Singer and Johnson provides valuable insights into the impact of bacitracin use in poultry on human health. The negligible risk associated with poultry-derived antimicrobial-resistant bacteria underscores the importance of evidence-based decision-making in antibiotic use practices. Moving forward, continued research and collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders are essential to address antibiotic resistance while ensuring food safety and animal welfare.


Further research is warranted to monitor antimicrobial resistance trends in both poultry and human populations. Longitudinal studies and surveillance programs can provide valuable data to assess the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship initiatives and inform future policy decisions. Additionally, exploring alternative strategies for disease prevention in poultry, such as probiotics and vaccination, may offer sustainable solutions to mitigate the reliance on antibiotic

References

1. Singer, R., & Johnson, T. (2024). Study determines bacitracin use in poultry offers ‘negligible risk’ to human health. International Poultry Scientific Forum.

2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (n.d.). FDA’s Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance – Questions and Answers.

3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Critically important antimicrobials for human medicine (7th revision).

This comprehensive article provides a thorough examination of the impact of bacitracin use in poultry on human health, offering insights into the negligible risk associated with this antibiotic.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here