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Agriculture

Research Uncovers Link Between Antimicrobial Usage and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria on Pig Farms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pig farms in Japan with high antimicrobial usage have a higher risk of developing multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Escherichia coli, according to a new study. The researchers analyzed the genomes of 195 E. coli strains from pigs on 13 farms with diverse antimicrobial administration strategies and found a significant correlation between antimicrobial usage and the number of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes. The study suggests that routine prophylaxis with antimicrobials on pig farms can promote the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed 195 E. coli strains from pigs on 13 farms in Japan, with a focus on the impact of antimicrobial usage on antimicrobial resistance.
  • A total of 61 acquired antimicrobial resistance genes (aARGs) were identified, spanning 13 distinct antimicrobial classes.
  • The researchers found a significant correlation between antimicrobial usage and the number of aARGs in E. coli strains.
  • The four farms with the highest usage of antimicrobials, which administered them orally as routine prophylaxis, showed significantly higher proportions of multidrug-resistant genotypes at all stages compared to farms without routine prophylaxis.
  • Co-occurrence network analysis suggested that genetic linkages among aARGs may promote co-selection, thereby acting as a driving force in the emergence of MDR strains under routine prophylaxis treatment.

Statistics:

  • 195 E. coli strains were analyzed from pigs on 13 farms in Japan.
  • 61 acquired antimicrobial resistance genes (aARGs) were identified, spanning 13 distinct antimicrobial classes.
  • 4 farms with the highest usage of antimicrobials showed significantly higher proportions of multidrug-resistant genotypes at all stages.
  • The number of frequently detected aARGs was more strongly correlated with total antimicrobial usage than with the usage of the corresponding antimicrobial classes.

Sources:

  • Risk of multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli associated with routine antimicrobial prophylaxis on pig farms. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, 2025;3(1):59.
  • NewsRx. Kurume University School of Medicine Reports Findings in Escherichia coli (Risk of multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli associated with routine antimicrobial prophylaxis on pig farms). Agriculture Week. July 17, 2025; p 163.

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