Zoonotic Resistance Spread tackles the urgent global health crisis of antibiotic resistance, focusing on how the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture facilitates the transfer of resistant bacteria to humans. The book highlights the interconnectedness of animal health, human health, and environmental factors, emphasizing how agricultural practices contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). For instance, the routine use of antibiotics in livestock creates selective pressures, leading to the evolution and proliferation of resistant bacteria that can then jump to humans, threatening our ability to treat common infections.
The book uniquely adopts a “One Health” perspective, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to combat AMR, rather than solely focusing on treatment after infection. It meticulously unfolds, starting with the basics of antibiotic resistance, then examining transmission pathways from animals to humans via agriculture and food, and finally analyzing the public health implications and potential solutions. By drawing on epidemiological studies and genomic analyses, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the problem and possible intervention strategies, valuable for students, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike.
