Improper antibiotic dosing linked to resistant E. coli in meat — DA

Improper antibiotic dosing in livestock has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said some farms administer antibiotics intermittently to livestock to cut costs, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance.

“The practice on farms of administering antibiotics intermittently for preventive medication

“The farm practice of intermittent antibiotic dosing (when the treatment should last seven days but some farmers cut corners to save money) to do preventive medication resulted to not only Salmonella, but also E.coli resistant bacteria which becomes harder to kill with present regular antibiotics,” he told GMA News Online.

He noted that E. coli in raw meats have become resistant to certain antibiotics.

Tiu Laurel's remarks came after the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) reported that Salmonella bacteria in chicken meat had become harder to eliminate with antibiotics.

According to the DOST-FNRI, 94.7% of Salmonella isolates from retail chicken purchased in Metro Manila were resistant to at least one class of antibacterial agent, while 76.3% were multidrug-resistant, meaning they were resistant to three or more classes.

“Yes, Salmonella is becoming harder to eliminate with antibiotics,” Tiu Laurel said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said E. coli is commonly found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. While most strains are harmless, certain types, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe foodborne illness.

The bacteria can spread through contaminated food, including raw or undercooked ground meat, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts, the WHO said.

The DA said its Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) was monitoring farms to prevent the misuse of antibiotics.

“BAI is actively monitoring farms to avoid misuse of antibiotics and prevent resistant salmonella which can affect consumers,” Tiu Laurel said.— MCG, GMA News

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