Recent research developments in antimicrobial agents & chemotherapy publish this article

January 1^st, 2000

Teshager T., Dominguez L. and Moreno MA.

The current world-wide situation of antimicrobial resistance, mainly due to the usage and abuse of antimicrobial agents in medical and veterinary practices, is alarming and constitutes a major threat to public health. There is a question whether the use of antimicrobials in animals contributes to the increase of resistance in human medicine, and it has been a subject of debate for almost thirty years. However, there is no reliable scientific data and information about the medical impact of the use of antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry. In this paper, we present the establishment of veterinary surveillance networks as an important epidemiological tool for the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance. Taking into account the potential risk to public health, bacteria to be monitored in these surveillance programmes should include at least the important zoonotic (Salmonella, and Campylobacter,) and indicators bacteria (Escherichia. coli, Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis) isolated from healthy food animals, sick animals (specially food animals) and food of animal origin

	Servicio de Zoonosis de Transmisión Alimentaria y Resistencia a Antimicrobianos (ZTA). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111