Mycoplasma, antibiotics in lay, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging problem in human health from the way that we have used antimicrobials. To keep the benefits of antimicrobials there is a need to change the way they have been used. Preventive treatments need to be phased out especially in intensive animal production. In poultry meat and egg production antimicrobials have often been used regularly in the laying period. Evidence presented at this symposium that this is driving antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae where prevention allows benefits to accrue but also resistance in chicken microbiotia including zoonoses to develop. Mycoplasma freedom and/or live mycoplasma vaccination can decrease antibiotic dependence and must be the way ahead.