Antimicrobial resistance in Brachyspira – An increasing problem for disease control

David J. Hampson*, Kittitat Lugsomya, Tom La, Nyree Dale Phillips, Darren J. Trott, Sam Abraham

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Across all bacterial species the continuing reduction in susceptibility to antimicrobial agents is a critical and increasing threat for disease control. This mini-review outlines the extent of this problem amongst anaerobic intestinal spirochaetes of the genus Brachyspira, of which there are currently nine officially recognised species. These include some important pathogens that may cause colitis with diarrhoea and/or dysentery in various mammalian and avian species, but most notably in pigs and in adult chickens. The most economically significant pathogen is Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the spirochaete which causes swine dysentery in countries throughout the world. Control of infections with Brachyspira species has long relied on the prophylactic or therapeutic use of antimicrobials, but increasingly strains with reduced susceptibility and sometimes multidrug resistance to previously effective antimicrobial agents are being encountered. In this mini-review we outline these problems and explain the extent and molecular basis of the emerging resistance. Future control will rely on developing and applying standardised methods for measuring antimicrobial susceptibility; improving surveillance of resistance using traditional phenotypic as well as genomic analysis of known resistance determinants; improving understanding of the molecular basis of resistance to different drug classes; improving farmer and veterinarian education about prudent antimicrobial use so as to reduce selective pressure on the emergence of resistance; and developing alternatives to antimicrobials as a means to control these infections.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-71
JournalVeterinary Microbiology
Volume229
Online published17 Dec 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2019

Funding

The authors wish to acknowledge the Australian Pork Cooperative Research Centre for their support of ongoing research into antimicrobial resistance and control of Brachyspira infections. DJH received financial support for this work from City University of Hong Kong (project number 9676006).

Research Keywords

  • Antimicrobials
  • Brachyspira
  • Disease control
  • Resistance
  • Spirochaetes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Antimicrobial resistance in Brachyspira – An increasing problem for disease control'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this