Antibiotic Resistance in Livestock: A Literature Review of Its Consequences and International Effort on Human Antimicrobial Agents Resistant Crisis

Abstract

Background: Despite their benefits, the overuse of antibiotics in livestock has resulted in negative consequences to human health and the augmenting of an antibiotic-resistant crisis. Countries worldwide have conducted analyses and confirmed the growth of bacterial strains immune to most antibiotics. The widespread use of antibiotics is shown in various sectors, including human medicine and agriculture, leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Purpose: This comprehensive literature review focuses on finding the connection between the usage of antibiotics in livestock, the transfer of antibiotic resistance to humans through consumption and exposure, and international efforts to find solutions to antimicrobial alternatives. Methods: A review of literature on Antibiotic resistance in livestock was conducted using the NIH and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles and reports on antimicrobial use and resistance. Inclusion criteria were studies showing how antibiotic use in livestock impacts human health through meat consumption and farming exposure, and exclusion criteria were analysis of environmental contamination issues. Conclusion: Antibiotic usage in livestock causes the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which harms humans and wildlife populations. Therefore, limitations and regulations on the use of antibiotics are set to avoid drug-resistant evolution. In addition, some alternatives to antibiotics include pre-and-probiotics, vaccines, and essential oils to protect livestock against common diseases. Other alternatives to antibiotics may be more cost-efficient and may not be therapeutically effective as a lifelong course of antibiotics. However, it is an entirely separate problem to develop a feasible program for the subsidization of non-antibiotic treatment by the agricultural industry