The Complex Impact of Antimicrobial Use on Antimicrobial Resistance in Swine

Abstract

Due to the crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human medicine there is increasing scrutiny of antibiotic use practices in all health sectors, including food animal health. In veterinary medicine, antibiotics are used to protect animal health and well-being, but there are growing concerns that these uses contribute to the burden of AMR in humans because of potential transmission of resistant organisms or associated resistance genes via the food supply or other pathways. Opportunities exist to bridge knowledge gaps surrounding the complex impact of antimicrobial use (AMU) on AMR in veterinary medicine. The objective of this thesis was to provide historical perspective on AMR in swine (Chapter 1), shed new light on the multifaceted effect that AMU has on AMR in swine (Chapter 2), and evaluate strain profiling of Enterococcus species in swine (Chapter 3). Results from this thesis highlight the complex interaction between AMU and AMR in swine production.