Study finds resistance to critically important antibiotics in uncooked meat sold for human and animal consumption in Barcelona, Spain has found substantial levels of resistance to critically-important antibiotics in meat sold for human and animal consumption. The study is by Dr. Jordan Sealey, Professor Matthew Avison and colleagues from the University of Bristol, UK.in the UK is regulated by the UK Government Food Standards Agency to ensure it falls within bacterial limits deemed safe.
Samples were enriched and plated onto agar containing common antibiotics—amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, spectinomycin and streptomycin, of which some are considered critically important for human health, to test for resistant E. coli.to spectinomycin and streptomycin, and 47% of samples were positive for resistance to critically important fluoroquinolones.
The authors say,"While most people know that if they don't use proper hygiene when handling uncooked meat they can pick up ',' most people are not aware that you can also pick up antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogens.
The authors conclude,"This study confirms that uncooked meat carries multiple resistant E. coli, commonly including resistance to critically important antibiotics important for human health. If ingested, these bacteria can enter the gut, and may cause resistant opportunistic infections in the future. It is therefore very important that people cook meat thoroughly before eating, and use appropriate hygiene practices during meat preparation.