On November 18, the first day of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Hub hosted a virtual seminar addressing antimicrobial awareness. Launched in 2019 and led by ILRI, the AMR Hub is a global research and development partnership for reducing agricultural-related AMR in low- and middle-income countries.
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) have signed a memorandum of collaboration to strengthen activities to address antimicrobial resistance in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through this collaboration, at the CGIAR AMR Hub ICARS will build training capacity of LMIC partners in antimicrobial susceptibility testing, establish a state-of-the art centre of excellence for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and co-develop capacity for research through exchange programmes at ILRI.
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.
The British Poultry Coucil released its Antibiotic Stewardship report highlighting nearly 75% reduction in total antibiotics in the last decade, 95.5% reduction in the use of critically important antibiotics and 97.2% decrease in the use of fluroquinolones.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
