Reduction in Antimicrobial Use and Resistance to Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli in Broiler Chickens, Canada, 2013-2019

Antimicrobial use contributes to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In 2014, the poultry industry in Canada initiated its Antimicrobial Use Reduction Strategy to mitigate AMR in the poultry sector. We monitored trends in antimicrobial use and AMR of foodborne bacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter) in broiler chickens during 2013 and 2019. We quantified the effect of antimicrobial use and management factors on AMR by using LASSO regression and generalized mixed-effect models. AMR in broiler chickens declined by 6%-38% after the decrease in prophylactic antimicrobial use. However, the withdrawal of individual compounds, such as cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, prompted an increase in use of and resistance levels for other drug classes, such as aminoglycosides. Canada's experience with antimicrobial use reduction illustrates the potential for progressive transitions from conventional antimicrobial-dependent broiler production to more sustainable production with respect to antimicrobial use.

Automated summary

Canada's poultry industry successfully reduced antimicrobial resistance in broiler chickens by reducing the use of antimicrobials, but the withdrawal of individual drug classes led to an increase in the use and resistance levels of other drug classes.