Blog

15 Sep 2021

Supply and delivery of antimicrobials in smallholder livestock productions system in Uganda

Scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Makerere University, and Institute of Virology and Immunology have assessed the use of antimicrobials in smallholder livestock systems in Uganda. Their findings, which are published in the Journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Science show that antibiotics and anti-helminthics are readily available over-the-counter to livestock keepers in the country and antibiotics sales contribute a third of the profit for veterinary drug stockists.

30 Aug 2021

Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa: challenge to address while safeguarding farmers

A perspective by Christian Ducrot et al. (2021) published in the Journal of Emerging Infectious Disease evaluates the challenges faced by farmers in Africa. The perspective acknowledges that Africa reports lowest usage of antimicrobials in the world, however, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens isolated from animals and animal products remains high. The authors, who are from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and French research organisations namely, The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), and Institute of Research and Development (IRD), advocate for policies that consider specific farmer needs, including improved access to veterinary drugs, and improved regulation of their use.

12 Apr 2021

OIE release their fifth annual report on Antimicrobial Agents intended for use in animals

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has published its 5th report on Antimicrobial Agents intended for use in animals where 160 countries (156 members, one non-contiguous territory and three non-OIE members) have contributed data. OIE has been engaged in combating antimicrobial resistance through a One Health approach. Globally very little information is available on resistance patterns in animal pathogens or in animal commensal bacterial. OIE recognises that surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in animal microorganisms is an important to assess the level and evolution of AMR in animals and later to provide a better understanding of the AM use and AMR epidemiology.

1 Mar 2021

Q&A with IWMI's researcher on AMR water modelling

Mahesh Jampani, researcher at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a water quality and modelling expert with over 12 years of experience in national and international research projects including water quality management, geochemistry, contaminant transport modelling, and socio-environmental impact assessment on water resources. Supported through the CGIAR AMR Hub, at IWMI he is responsible for investigating the sources, loads, transport and fate of antimicrobial compounds, antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibacterial resistance genes (ARGs) in water systems. Ekta Patel, scientist and communications manager at ILRI interviewed him about his research activities.

15 Jan 2021

AMR Newsletter 5

July - Dec 2020

Wishing all our partners and stakeholders and happy new year. As we embark on 2021, we hope to continue to stay safe and commence many field activities.

While the most part of 2020 was virtual, the CGIAR AMR Hub made several virtual visits and established new partners. We look forward to strengthening these collaborations and partnerships in the new year. Stay Safe!

14 Dec 2020

Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock: Antimicrobials in livestock from scrutiny to action in low –income countries.

Antimicrobials are used to treat infections and are an asset to human and animal health and calls for prudent use to maintain its efficacy. Globally, only 50% of antibiotics are being used correctly and if left unchecked, the World Bank projects that the AMR crisis could negatively impact global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with reduction as large as the one provoked by the 2008 global financial crisis. However, those in low and middle-income countries would be most affected and driving more people into poverty. A virtual event organized a day before WAAW 2020 by the Livestock Antimicrobial Partnership (LAMP)-network hosted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), was attended by nearly 250 participants, and included distinguished speakers from the World Bank, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), SLU and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières International.

21 Nov 2020

CGIAR AMR Hub strengthens partnerships and research to reduce agriculture-associated antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries

The CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub, which is hosted and led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is working the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), World Fish and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to address agricultural-associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The research is largely supported by the CGIAR Research Program (CPR) on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) as well as Livestock and Fish CRPs. Projects undertaken in Africa and Asia aim to reduce the burden of agriculture associated AMR.

15 Sep 2020

The British Poultry Council report reductions in antibiotics use

The British Poultry Council (BPC) Antibiotic Stewardship play a critical role in delivering good bird health and welfare, safeguarding the efficacy of antibiotics and help to produce food that is trusted by consumers. The recently published 2020 BPC report has shown reduced use of antibiotics in the last few years.

14 Jul 2020

AMR Newsletter 4

January - June 2020 Issue 4

We hope that this finds all of you keeping well under these unprecedented times of COVID-19. We commenced the year well but right as we were getting into the last month of the first quarter, we were railroaded with COVID-19 so this issue highlights six months of activities. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of addressing AMR as it is a faceless silent pandemic. With this in mind, CGIAR AMR Hub plans to oversee activities using a One Health approach and we look forward to working with you in this endeavor. Stay Safe!

20 May 2020

Addressing antibiotic resistance in the Jordan Valley

The ReWaterMENA project, a multi-partner, four-year initiative that started in 2018 aims to expand the safe reuse of water in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The project is regional in scope and has specific activities in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. In Jordan, activities are conducted in partnership with the Royal Scientific Society.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) also known as the silent pandemic, is a serious global health threat and low- and middle-income countries are likely to be the most affected in terms of economic burden and public health. Deaths from drug resistant infections are projected to increase from 700,000 to 10 million annually. Antibiotics have found their way into wastewater and recently more studies have highlighted the role of wastewater as a significant environmental reservoir of AMR. This environment is conducive for the global spread of multi-resistant bacteria and other microorganisms and for antimicrobial resistant genes to persist. Wastewater treatment processes can assist in removing or reducing the antimicrobial resistant bacterial load. However, the impact on the resistant genes is limited as they are not degradable and therefore are able to spread amongst other microbial communities in the environment through gene transfer, a process by which bacteria transfer resistant genes. In addition, another growing area of concern is the uptake of these antibiotics by crops irrigated by treated wastewater.

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