The water samples were tested in the laboratory of the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can easily spread between the environment, animals and humans, and researchers are addressing this issue from all these perspectives to prevent global threats to public health.
Ohio State University’s antimicrobial management program ensures that antibiotics are prescribed appropriately. Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to the production of resistant bacteria, which poses a major threat to public health.
Newswise — Columbus, Ohio — Understanding that human, animal, and environmental health are intertwined, researchers at Ohio State University’s five colleges and their medical centers are in a unique position to collaborate on a “single health” approach to combat antibiotic resistance Medicinal and provide help to prevent the next global health crisis.
Ohio State University’s Antimicrobial Administration Program (ASP) educates health care workers, veterinarians, students, and patients about the proper and optimal use of antibiotics in humans and animals. Experts from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center collaborate with colleagues in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, public health and food, agriculture and environmental sciences through the Ohio State University Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) to reduce antibiotic resistance . The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has designated Ohio's IDI as one of the eight international reference centers for antimicrobial resistance in the world.
"It is easy for us to focus on our own research fields and our own interests and try to answer questions in this way. However, by combining expertise in different fields to find solutions to problems, we will have a greater impact ," said Thomas Wittum, professor and head of the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
Bacterial infections usually treated with antibiotics are becoming increasingly resistant to these drugs, and bacteria are evolving faster than the development of new therapies, leading to life-threatening diseases. A key factor in the global problem of antimicrobial resistance is the long-term overprescription of antibiotics for human and animal viral diseases, which are ineffective in treatment.
The ASP researchers emphasized the importance of using the antibiotics we have today, which will help maintain their effectiveness in the future while developing new alternatives to antibiotics. ASP works closely with clinicians on guidelines, policies, and prescription recommendations to determine the best antibiotic treatment for infections, while considering cost, toxicity, and concerns about the development of resistance to ensure appropriate use.
Erica Reed, an infectious disease pharmacist at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said: "The more cards you show to bacteria, the easier it is for them to practice bypassing the drug." We have seen patients with life-threatening infections, and we have almost no effective drugs to treat." Ohio State University’s comprehensive multidisciplinary approach has studied the multiple modes of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, whether between humans and animals. The spread is still through waterways that may infect the livestock of the food supply.
A discovery made by Ohio State University veterinary researchers nearly a decade ago led to changes in disinfection practices in environments ranging from hospital rooms to pig farms around the world. Researchers have determined the microorganisms that develop resistance to specific disinfectants and automatically develop resistance to multiple antibiotics.
"Whether it is in the river, sewage treatment plant, veterinary clinic or medical center, they all play a role in the problem and all have potential contributions to the solution," Witham said.
In 2018, the School of Veterinary Medicine launched its own comprehensive antimicrobial management program to help veterinarians and students confidently make informed decisions about antimicrobial use while providing the best care for their animal patients. Next, experts hope to modify the plan and apply it to private veterinary clinics across the state. Reid said that the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of properly managing infections on a global scale. She believes that a management network needs to be established among global partners to help prevent dangerous future infections.
Image source: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Photo caption: The water sample is tested in the laboratory of the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can easily spread between the environment, animals and humans, and researchers are addressing this issue from all these perspectives to prevent global threats to public health.
Image source: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Description: Ohio State University’s antimicrobial management program ensures that antibiotics are prescribed appropriately. Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to the production of resistant bacteria, which poses a major threat to public health.
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