The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2022–2023

Abstract

This report presents the main findings of the 2022–2023 harmonised antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring in Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from humans and food-producing animals (broilers, laying hens and fattening turkeys, fattening pigs and cattle under 1 year of age) and derived meat. For animals and meat, AMR data on indicator commensal Escherichia coli, presumptive extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-/AmpC beta-lactamase (AmpC)−/carbapenemase (CP)-producing E. coli and the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are also analysed. Generally, resistance differed greatly between reporting countries and antimicrobials. A high proportion of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter isolates from humans and animals were resistant to commonly used antimicrobials (ampicillin, tetracycline and sulfonamides) in human and veterinary medicine, although Salmonella isolates from laying hens exhibited lower resistance. In humans, increasing trends in resistance to ciprofloxacin, one of two critically important antimicrobials (CIA) for human treatment, were observed in poultry-associated Salmonella serovars and in Campylobacter, in several reporting countries. Combined resistance to CIA was however observed in a low proportion of isolates except for some Salmonella serovars and C. coli from humans and animals in some countries. In imported fresh meat of broilers and turkeys sampled at border control posts, resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed respectively at very high and moderate levels in Salmonella and indicator E. coli. While CP-producing Salmonella isolates were not detected in animals in 2022–2023, five human cases of CP-producing Salmonella were reported in 2022 and six cases in 2023 (the majority harbouring bla_OXA-48 or bla_OXA-48-like genes). Detection of CP-producing E. coli isolates (carrying bla_OXA-48, bla_OXA-181, bla_OXA-244, bla_NDM-5 and bla_VIM-1 genes) in broilers, fattening turkeys, fattening pigs, cattle under 1 year of age and meat from pigs by seven member states (MSs) in 2022 and 2023, requires a thorough follow-up. The temporal trend analyses in key outcome indicators (complete susceptibility and prevalence of ESBL-/AmpC- producing E. coli) showed an encouraging progress in reducing AMR in food-producing animals in several EU MSs over the last 10 years.