New research highlights a significant threat to public health stemming from the chronic and unregulated use of antibiotics in animal research facilities. A study published in PLOS ONE has uncovered alarming practices in laboratory rodent facilities that contribute to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health concern.
The study, conducted across 95 laboratories in Australia and New Zealand, found that 71% of facilities routinely used antibiotics, often without proper regulation or oversight. Common practices included adding antibiotics to rodent drinking water and improperly disposing of medicated water and food. Dr. Rebbecca Wilcox, the study’s lead author and a laboratory animal veterinarian at RMIT, stated that antibiotics in these facilities are often obtained from veterinary wholesalers and chemical suppliers without the stringent checks required for human or veterinary medical use.
Wilcox expressed concern over the use of antibiotics considered “drugs of last resort” in ways that could often be avoided. The improper disposal of medicated water was also a significant issue, with 81% of facilities disposing of it untreated, posing a risk to the environment and public health. Wastewater from hospitals and health institutions is already a known contributor to environmental antibiotic resistance, and similar practices in animal research facilities could exacerbate the problem.
Antimicrobial resistance is already a critical issue, with the World Health Organization identifying it as one of the top threats to global public health. Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases specialist at ANU, warned that deaths from AMR could reach 10 million annually by 2050, surpassing those from cancer. The misuse of antibiotics in animal facilities represents a microcosm of broader issues contributing to resistance.
Wilcox called for greater awareness and improved practices among researchers, ethics committees, and policymakers. “Now that we have concrete data, we can make recommendations for responsible antibiotic use,” she said, emphasizing the need to address this emerging crisis before it escalates further.
The study underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and better management of antibiotic use in all sectors to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.