title: Nonmedical Uses of Antibiotics: Time to Restrict Their Use?
abstract: The global crisis of antibiotic resistance has reached a point where, if action is not taken, human medicine will enter a postantibiotic world and simple injuries could once again be life threatening. New antibiotics are needed urgently, but better use of existing agents is just as important. More appropriate use of antibiotics in medicine is vital, but the extensive use of antibiotics outside medical settings is often overlooked. Antibiotics are commonly used in animal husbandry, bee-keeping, fish farming and other forms of aquaculture, ethanol production, horticulture, antifouling paints, food preservation, and domestically. This provides multiple opportunities for the selection and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Given the current crisis, it is vital that the nonmedical use of antibiotics is critically examined and that any nonessential use halted.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University Of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard William
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University Of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hrushi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University Of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laura Jane Violet
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Piddock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000633:toxicity; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D014943:Global Health; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D014260:Triclosan / Q000633:toxicity; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D018505:Waste Management / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004202:Disinfectants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; D014260:Triclosan