Microbiome for gut health: A modern tool and a target in the effort to address antimicrobial resistance

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern, and it has become a major political, social, and economic burden of our time. The use of antimicrobials in livestock agriculture has been a major focus of this issue since it is one of the potential contributing factors causing human AMR infections. Concerning AMR, projections suggest that by 2050, more people will die of bacterial infections than cancer due to the fact that currently available antimicrobials will no longer be as effective in treating bacterial infections. This will not only affect the health outcomes of humans, but it will also affect those of animals, including production yields of food-producing animals. Therefore, control and prevention of AMR require the exigent adoption of a “One Health” approach through the integration of human, animal, and environmental health. Research on AMR in both human and animals has focused mainly on pathogenic bacterial species which are readily cultured in the laboratory. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing of complex microbial communities (microbiomes) improved our understanding of the ecology of AMR in One Health. This cutting-edge technology enables to track the fate of AMR genes. On the other hand, our understanding is growing in the aspect of reciprocal, intimate relationships between microbiome and host immune system that are orchestrated by preceding microbial encounters and prepare the host for future ones. Antimicrobials alter the structure of the microbiota, expand the host-specific pool of AMR genes and bacteria, degrade the protective effects of the microbiota against invasion by pathogens, and may impair vaccine efficacy. Other strategies including manipulation of the gut microbiome to eliminate antimicrobial resistant bacteria or to boost host immune responses to vaccines may prove valuable in addressing antimicrobial resistance. In recent years, manipulation of the microbiome using microbial-derived products (including fecal transplantation) to improve gut health is becoming a promising alternative to antimicrobials in animal agriculture. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has shown effectiveness in treating certain human diseases such as Clostridium difficile infection, however, the fundamental science behind the application of FMT is still not yet fully understood. With this notion, the application of FMT in livestock agriculture should be cautious and more research efforts are needed. Understanding the role of gut health in achieving optimal production is of essential to discover the most reliable and sustainable alternatives to replace antimicrobial compounds used in livestock.
 
Keywords: Microbiome, Gut Health, Antimicrobial Resistance.

Abstract presented at the 3rd International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics 2019.