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Microbiologists at the
University of Illinois
discovered that bacteria
in the soil and
groundwater beneath
farms are acquiring
genes resistent to tetracycline, an
antibiotic,from bacteria originating from pigs.
The genes can persist in soil and water-borne
bacteria and could be passed on in the
environment or water.
Researchers studied samples from
farm-waste lagoons and groundwater
reservoirs in two swine farms.
"(The study) is the first of its kind to
demonstrate this kind of broad ecological
presence," says Stuart Levy of Tufts University
in Boston.
Humans becoming more resistant to
antibiotics
Scientists warn farmers should lower their use
of antibiotics such as tetracycline, penicillin
and streptomycin which also helps promote
growth in their animals.
The European Union has banned the use of
such growth promoters. Nearly 70 per cent of
antibiotics produced in the U.S. is channelled
to animals in feed.
A recent study found a more than
three-quarters of bacteria found in the colons
of people in the 1990's carried tetracycline
resistant genes. That's compared with less
than a third before 1970.
Scientists say this proves antibiotic resistant
genes are being passed from the environment
into humans, making it harder for humans to
use antibiotics to battle disease.
"It's like letting the genie out of the bottle...it
looks like there are very few, if any, limits to
how far a resistant gene can spread," says
Abigail Salyers of the University of Illinois.
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