Antimicrobial resistance: a growing concern

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat to the health of humans and animals alike. As antibiotics are becoming less effective, we risk losing lifesaving therapies. Simple bacterial infections which we can manage well today could become dangerous to us again, even in countries where advanced healthcare is readily available. Pets, horses, and livestock animals need effective protection, too. What do all of us need to know about antimicrobial resistance, and how can the animal health industry help curb this mega challenge?

Visualization of bacteria floating in a circle and a bottle with pills. Arrows point from the bottle to the bacteria and vice versa.

A One Health concern

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35,000 people die in the U.S. every year due to antibiotic-resistant infections, and in the European Union, the loss of lives is estimated at 33,000 per year. By 2050, the global toll could be as high as 10 million people dying each year. Pets may also be affected. While there is no comprehensive monitoring data about global levels, various nations have conducted studies. Portuguese researchers analyzed bacteria from samples that were gathered over the span of 16 years, uncovering rising levels of resistance in cats and dogs over time. In Canada, researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical samples and fecal samples from dog parks, much like German researchers did in a survey that involved mouth swabs.

Resistance to antibiotics can occur naturally, but the issue is exacerbated by inappropriate and excessive use of antimicrobials in both human healthcare and the agriculture sector. So let’s take a look at some of the factors that lead to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics misuse and overuse is one key factor that contributes to antimicrobial resistance. This can include using antibiotics to fight viral diseases like colds and flu in human health. In animal health, this can include using antibiotics as growth pr

A complex problem that requires many solutions

Human and animal healthcare professionals, the agricultural sector, policy makers, scientists, and communities all need to work together to curb antimicrobial resistance. And we need to tackle it from many different angles.

One important option is to develop the next generation of antibiotics. Researchers from academic institutions and the private sector are urgently working towards this goal, with Boehringer Ingelheim investing USD 50 million in antibiotic R&D for human use within the AMR Action Fund. Education is key, too. Human healthcare professionals can contribute towards educating patients about how to take antibiotics correctly. In veterinary health, Boehringer Ingelheim addresses the importance of antimicrobial resistance prevention for livestock farmers and veterinarians in various educational programs about, such as our own Swine Academy and Milk Quality Academy.

Reducing the use of antibiotics in swine farming can be achieved through preventive healthcare and early disease detection.

Policy makers can develop clear guidelines that limit unnecessary use. And let’s not forget that there are plenty of technologies already out there that serve as important alternatives to the use of antibiotics in the agricultural sector. Let’s take a look at how we can avoid antimicrobial resistance in the swine industry, for example.

Vaccines and integrated health management

“Prevention and early identification of health issues are two key drivers to reduce the use of antibiotics in swine production. Through our continued leadership in the swine vaccines market we have been at the forefront of driving the reduction in antibiotics usage with our ‘Prevention Works’ program,” explains Markus Hammer, Global Head of Swine at Boehringer Ingelheim.

“The focus of our integrated health program is to bring together data to help us to identify leading indicators of swine health issues. Through these alerts we are able to build new health programs allowing earlier diagnosis and treatment. By treating earlier, we can reduce both antibiotic interventions and pig mortality. In the future through creating digital documentation we will be able certify pigs as ‘antibiotic free’, helping to create new value for sustainable farming practices.” In the coming years, these and similar technologies will become ever more important – be it in swine, poultry, or cattle farming.

Why we need to protect the efficacy of antibiotics

Pill bottle with white pills spilling out

In human medicine, the benefits of antibiotics are clear to most everybody. In 1900, 194 of every 100,000 U.S. residents died from tuberculosis, which at the time was among the three leading causes of death. Today, the U.S. have one of the lowest case rates in the world, in no small part thanks to the discovery of antibiotics.

What is lesser known but equally important is that veterinarians will also continue to need potent antibiotics as part of their toolbox. Despite vaccination, pneumonia is a common disease of different farm animal species. Mastitis treatment improves the welfare of cows, prevents culling, and improves milk quality. And when pets or horses need surgery, preventive use of antibiotics may be required to avoid infection – just like with people.

Biosecurity, preventive healthcare, and the development of next-generation antibiotics will be key to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. We are proud to be part of a global movement to protect humans and animals from the effects of antimicrobial resistance.