A high number of antimicrobial-resistant genes have been found in pig faeces at a commcerical farm in a Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) study.
The research was carried out during a single production cycle on a commercial pig unit with a high antimicrobial usage.
The study found antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) gene counts were high but relatively stable over time, suggesting the genes had become integrated into the faecal microbial community.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the resistance was not high enough to prevent the use of antimicrobials being given to pigs still working on the farm.
A total of 144 different resistant genes were identified on the farm, with individual genes present in the tens, hundreds and thousands of millions per gram of pig faeces.
Professor Michael Hutchings, head of animal and veterinary sciences at SRUC, said: “At the start of the study, we hoped to find two or three genes to follow their numbers through the pig production cycle. The richness of AMR genes and their numbers were unexpected.”
The study was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Scottish Government with the work conducted by SRUC in partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
A high number of antimicrobial-resistant genes have been found in pig faeces at a commcerical farm in a Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) study.
The research was carried out during a single production cycle on a commercial pig unit with a high antimicrobial usage.
The study found antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) gene counts were high but relatively stable over time, suggesting the genes had become integrated into the faecal microbial community.
However, the resistance was not high enough to prevent the use of antimicrobials being given to pigs still working on the farm.
A total of 144 different resistant genes were identified on the farm, with individual genes present in the tens, hundreds and thousands of millions per gram of pig faeces.
Professor Michael Hutchings, head of animal and veterinary sciences at SRUC, said: “At the start of the study, we hoped to find two or three genes to follow their numbers through the pig production cycle. The richness of AMR genes and their numbers were unexpected.”
The study was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Scottish Government with the work conducted by SRUC in partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS