IRRATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND THE EMERGENCE OF BACTERIAL RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS IN CHILDREN

Introduction: Since the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is typically tied to specific geographical areas, it is very important to know the sensitivity of some bacteria to antimicrobial drugs in that particular area for the application of appropriate empiric treatment of certain infections. Children, especially very young children, are at high risk of developing infections caused by microorganisms resistant to antibiotics. This is directly related to the use of antimicrobial agents in food production. Objective: Determine the relationship between the emergence of urinary tract infections’ resistance causative agents to antibiotics in children aged up to 6 years in relation with animal origin nutrition of a child. Methods: Observational cross-sectional method was used to study the frequency of antibiotic resistance in bacteria triggering urinary tract infections in relation with children consuming animal products during the surveyed period. Results: Correlating the survey data on children's nutrition and laboratory tests of resistance in bacteria causing urinary tract infections in children, a statistically significant incidence of antibiotic resistant infections in children who consumed animal products (meat, milk, fish and eggs) was found. Resistance was found to: cefazoline in 26 (31%) patients (p = 0.008), cefuroxime axetil in 15 (18%) (p = 0.048), cefotaxime in 9 (11%) (p = 0.010), ceftazidine in 5 (6%) (p = 0.001), cefepime in 3 (3.5%) (p = 0.001), cefixime in 12 (14%) (p = 0.046) cefpodoxime in 17 (20%) (p = 0.025), to kanamycin 15 (18%) (p = 0.004), and to ciprofloxacin in 2 (2.3%) children (p = 0.018). Conclusions: The investigation found a statisticly significant link between the rate of antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections triggerng bacteria and consumption of animal products. More stringent scrutiny of antibitic use in agriculture, veterinary practice and food industry is needed.