<
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/30/unregulated-antibiotic-use-in-animal-research-likely-contributes-to-human-drug-resistance-study-finds>
"Chronic and unregulated use and disposal of antibiotics in animal research
facilities is contributing to the emergence of drug-resistant superbugs that
could pose a threat to human health, according to new research.
A study published in the journal
Plos One found widespread and excessive use
of antibiotics, unregulated access to critical drugs and disposal practices in
laboratory rodent facilities were likely contributing to the global health
problem of antimicrobial resistance.
The survey of 95 laboratories in Australia and New Zealand found 71% routinely
used antimicrobial drugs, which include antibiotics. Common practices included
antibiotic dosing of rodent drinking water and inappropriate disposal of
medicated water and food.
Lead author Dr Rebbecca Wilcox, a laboratory animal veterinarian at RMIT and
infectious diseases researcher, said animal laboratories had unregulated access
to antibiotics from veterinary wholesalers and chemical suppliers, and none of
the checks and balances required for doctors or veterinarians prescribing them.
Survey responses from laboratory veterinarians and facility managers showed
they were using antibiotics that “aren’t used in other animal sectors” and were
“considered drugs of last resort”, she said. “We are using them in ways that a
lot of the time we can avoid.”
The World Health Organization has called antimicrobial resistance one of the
top threats to global public health.
Wilcox said antibiotic resistance was “a coming pandemic”.
“It is going to mean that routine procedures like hip replacements, knee
replacements, caesareans, surgery for cancer, chemotherapy, are not going to be
feasible. They are going to be life-threatening,” she said."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
