An affordable and sustainable solution to combat Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to mastitis in livestock and poultry feeding practices is a growing public health concern. Mastitis, a common bacterial infection in dairy cows, is often treated with antibiotics, and when overused or misused, this leads to the development of resistant bacteria. In poultry and livestock farming, antibiotics are also added to feed for growth promotion and disease prevention, resulting in prolonged low-dose exposure that fosters resistance. Resistant bacteria can be transmitted directly to humans through contaminated animal products or through environmental pathways like soil and water contamination. Horizontal gene transfer further spreads resistance, making infections harder to treat over time. To combat AMR, improved hygiene, biosecurity, vaccination, and antibiotic stewardship are essential, along with exploring alternative feed additives like probiotics, prebiotics and plant-based compounds. These sustainable approaches aim to reduce the reliance on antibiotics, protecting both animal and human health from the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections. Regular monitoring and diagnostics ensure precise treatment, and education programs raise awareness about AMR risks. Regulatory policies enforcing responsible antibiotic use in agriculture are also crucial for long-term AMR control.
What Acrovet Animal Health is doing?
Easy-to-Apply Device for AMR Diagnosis
Typically, in healthcare, delayed diagnosis and incorrect medication for bacterial infections contribute to AMR. A patient may initially receive antibiotics but return when symptoms persist, prompting further antibiotic use. Acrovet’s diagnostic solution is designed to reduce diagnosis time, enabling quicker and more accurate treatment. This reduces ineffective antibiotic use, helping to prevent AMR spread. The device is simple, field-applicable, and promotes precise antibiotic stewardship.
The increasing need for clean, safe drinking water is critical as contaminated water serves as a major AMR reservoir. Pollutants, toxic chemicals, and resistant bacteria in water sources are health risks that drive resistance. To address this, Acrovet employs nanohybrid microbots in water treatment—a novel bioremediation method. These microbots are sustainable, stable, and cost-effective, capturing and degrading AMR bacteria in contaminated water. This targeted approach improves water quality and provides a scalable solution to safeguard public health from AMR proliferation in environmental water systems.