title: Agricultural Applications for Antimicrobials. A Danger to Human Health: An Official Position Statement of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.
abstract: The use of antibiotics in agriculture, particularly in food-producing animals, is pervasive and represents the overwhelming majority of antibiotic use worldwide. The link between antibiotic use in animals and antibiotic resistance in humans is unequivocal. Transmission can occur by ingesting undercooked meats harboring resistant bacteria, by direct contact of animals by animal handlers, and by various other means. Antibiotics used in aquaculture and antifungals used in horticulture are also an evolving threat to human health. Regulations aimed at decreasing the amount of antibiotics used in food production to limit the development of antibiotic resistance have recently been implemented. However, further action is needed to minimize antibiotic use in agriculture. This article describes the extent of this current problem and serves as the official position of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists on this urgent threat to human health.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Samuel L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - St. Francis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dilworth
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Emily L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Heil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Services, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut.|Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Nailor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D000383:Agriculture / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity; D007880:Legislation, Drug / Q000639:trends; D012957:Societies, Pharmaceutical; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D016573:Agrochemicals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D019155:Veterinary Drugs
keywords: antifungals; antimicrobial stewardship; aquaculture; farming; growth promotion; horticulture; resistance