Otherindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-CHK-04 standard review
EU report on antibiotic resistance in food animals
The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2021-2022.
Overview
EFSA, ECDC. EFSA J 2024 · PMID 38419967 · DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8583
Resistance in poultry-linked bacteria is common and varies by country, but key indicators improved in several countries.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: high
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
AMR in Salmonella, Campylobacter, indicator E. coli, MRSA in humans, animals, food
- How was the study done?
EU harmonised AMR monitoring report
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
Not stated in abstract; EU MSs
- What was actually found?
Resistance differed greatly between countries; resistance to common antimicrobials frequent in Salmonella and Campylobacter; increasing resistance to a critically important antimicrobial in poultry-associated Salmonella and Campylobacter from humans in at least half of reporting countries; encouraging progress in key outcome indicators in several MSs over 7 years.
- How large was the observed effect?
Descriptive; trend analysis
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
The problem is real in the EU too, but monitored.
- What are the study's limitations?
Country variation in sampling
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports, with nuance.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Directly EU.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Not consumer risk per meal.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- EFSA, ECDC
- Journal
- EFSA J
- Year
- 2024
- Identifier
- PMID 38419967 DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8583
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
EFSA declarations of interest
2. Research question
AMR in Salmonella, Campylobacter, indicator E. coli, MRSA in humans, animals, food
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Other – EU harmonised AMR monitoring report
- Population
EU MSs
- Country
EU
- Period
2021-2022
- Sample size
Not stated in abstract
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Harmonised monitoring
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Not applicable
- Comparator
Countries; time trends
- Endpoints
Resistance levels
- Statistical methods
Descriptive; trend analysis
5. Actual results
- Results
Resistance differed greatly between countries; resistance to common antimicrobials frequent in Salmonella and Campylobacter; increasing resistance to a critically important antimicrobial in poultry-associated Salmonella and Campylobacter from humans in at least half of reporting countries; encouraging progress in key outcome indicators in several MSs over 7 years.
- Absolute risks
Not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Follow-up needed on CP-producing E. coli.
6. Strengths
- Harmonised data
7. Weaknesses
- Country variation in sampling
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- not assessable
- Rationale
Surveillance.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Not applicable.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
11. Independent contrary findings
Downward trends in some countries.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Directly EU.
13. Overall methodological judgement
AMR from poultry is an EU concern, improving in places.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | high |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | moderate |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
2023-2024 data.