Antimicrobial resistance in animals: a challenge for veterinary medicine and health

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This review article provides a comprehensive discussion of the factors contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and highlights potential strategies to mitigate this issue, with an emphasis on its importance to veterinary medicine and public health. The article addresses the use of antimicrobials across various sectors, such as human and veterinary clinical practice, animal production, and agriculture, underscoring the interaction between human, animal, and environmental factors, the controversies surrounding their use, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, the mechanisms that modulate bacterial resistance, the dissemination of resistance among bacterial populations, the key drivers contributing to its rise, as well as control and prevention strategies. Finally, the article reviews the current international and national legislation and regulatory framework governing the use of antimicrobials.