Antibiotics as feed additives for livestock: Human health concerns

Abstract

Antibiotics are defined as a category of natural, semi-synthetic or chemical compound with anti-microbial activity, which is extensively used to control and prevent for infectious diseases in animals and humans, and may be added in the feed as growth promoters to promote the growth and development of animals. Until recently, the main concern about inclusion of antibiotics as supplements in animal feeds is connected to antibiotic residues in products (milk, egg and meat) developed from the treated animals. These residues may cause a range of side effects such as immunopathological effects, transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria to humans, mutagenicity, allergy, hepatotoxicity, reproductive disorders, nephropathy, bone marrow toxicity and even carcinogenicity. One of the most significant adverse effect of antibiotic residues is the transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria to the humans due to the mobile properties of resistance. The rising use of antibiotic consumption in India is reflected through emerging drug resistance problem and regulations for the use of antibiotics in animals and human are still very poor. The unnecessary use of antibiotics in food producing animals is contributing to the antibiotic resistance development in zoonotic bacteria. Because of these detrimental effects, it is essential to regulate the antibiotic use in food animals. Farmers and veterinary practitioners should be aware of the problem through education by authorities. Now-adays there are good number of alternatives to antibiotics use; such as probiotics, prebiotics, herbal additives, organic acids, enzymes, active plant metabolites etc. which may boost production performance and immunity of the livestock and poultry without any adverse effect.