Antimicrobial Resistance Remains High in Key Pathogens, Warn EFSA and ECDC

Recent surveillance data reveal that resistance to commonly used antimicrobials—such as ampicillin, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides—remains consistently high in both humans and animals for key pathogens including Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Resistance in E. coli is also frequently observed in animals, although Salmonella resistance in laying hens remains low. These are the main findings of a report released today by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

A comprehensive One Health approach is vital to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Robust surveillance systems, prudent use of antimicrobials, and intersectoral collaboration are key to mitigating the risks posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread between animals and humans.

Rising resistance to ciprofloxacin—a fluoroquinolone critically important for treating Salmonella and Campylobacter infections—is of increasing concern. The report found growing resistance in Salmonella Enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni from human samples in over half of the European countries that submitted data.

Extremely high levels of ciprofloxacin resistance were also observed in Campylobacter from food-producing animals and in Salmonella and E. coli from poultry.

These trends are particularly troubling, as the World Health Organization’s 2024 list of priority pathogens classifies non-typhoidal Salmonella resistant to fluoroquinolones as a high-priority threat.

By contrast, resistance to other critically important antimicrobials used in human medicine remains uncommon in Salmonella and Campylobacter, in both humans and food-producing animals.

Although carbapenem resistance remains rare, occasional detection of carbapenem-resistant E. coli in food and animals warrants continued vigilance and further epidemiological investigations. This is especially important given that carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales are recognized as a critical public health threat.

To support this effort, EFSA will publish the first in a series of opinions in 2025 on the current state of emergence and spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in the EU/EEA and Switzerland’s food chain.

Still, the report highlights some positive trends. Nearly half of the European countries that provided data reported a decline in Campylobacter resistance to macrolide antibiotics—both in C. jejuni and C. coli from human cases. Additionally, resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from humans to penicillins and tetracyclines has decreased over time.

Significant upward trends in the key outcome indicator for full susceptibility of E. coli, as well as notable declines in the prevalence of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli, show encouraging progress in reducing AMR among food-producing animals in several EU Member States over the past decade.

Despite these improvements, antimicrobial resistance remains a major threat to public health. Coordinated action through a One Health approach is essential.

Key measures include promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials, improving infection prevention and control, investing in research for new treatments, and implementing strong national policies to effectively combat resistance. (Photo: Freepik)