In March, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a report compiling data on antimicrobial resistance in key pathogenic bacteria. The report is entitled ‘The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2022-2023’.
This report presents the main results of the harmonised surveillance of antimicrobial resistance 2022-2023 in Salmonella spp, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. The surveillance data highlights :
- An upward trend in resistance to ciprofloxacin in Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. strains found in humans in more than 50% of responding European countries.
- An upward trend in ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella spp. and E.coli strains found in poultry.
- Almost 50% of the European countries that contributed to this surveillance work showed a decrease in macrolide resistance in Campylobacter spp. strains found in humans.
- A significant drop in resistance to penicillins and tetracyclines was also observed in Salmonella Typhimirium strains isolated from humans.
- An increase in the incidence of wild E.coli versus a decrease in beta-lactamase-producing E.coli in strains found in animals.
Overall, the conclusions drawn from these data present the ‘One Health’ approach as essential to the fight against antimicrobial resistance, and therefore emphasise the need for collaboration between the various sectors.
