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Livestock-Associated Antimicrobial Resistance: A Narrative Review of Cross-Species Transmission and Clinical Significance
Sasan Karimzadeh * , Sonia Nasrolahi
Department of Biology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
Abstract:   (17 Views)
Introduction: The escalating use of antibiotics in livestock production has emerged as a primary driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening both human and animal health globally. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes published literature from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000-2026) on antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals and its implications for human health. Results: Our analysis reveals that approximately 73% of global antibiotic consumption occurs in food-producing animals, with consumption projected to reach 107,472 tons by 2030. We document alarming resistance rates in poultry isolates, including 44.4% amoxicillin resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and widespread colistin resistance mediated by mcr genes across multiple Enterobacterales species. Furthermore, we identify the emergence of critical resistance determinants (tet(X4), cfr, optrA, poxtA) in livestock-associated bacteria that compromise last-resort antibiotics, including tigecycline and linezolid. The convergence of environmental contamination, food chain transmission, and horizontal gene transfer creates an interconnected resistance reservoir that demands urgent One Health interventions. Conclusions: This review synthesizes current knowledge on resistance mechanisms, transmission pathways, and mitigation strategies to inform evidence-based policy decisions. Addressing this crisis requires coordinated action across the human-animal-environment interface, including enhanced surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and investment in alternative strategies.

 
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Livestock industry, Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), Global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, healthcare, Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, Horizontal gene transfer, Zoonotic transmission.
     
Type of Study: Review article | Subject: Microbial pathogenesis
Received: 2026/07/23 | Accepted: 2026/09/10
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.