Papers Summarize Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics
As global pressures mount to reduce the use of antibiotics in food-animal production, scientists work to develop and implement production practices and technologies to cost-effectively protect animal health and performance.
In December 2016, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) held its 2nd International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics in Paris, France.
During the three-day conference, more than 200 participants from academia, government research institutions, regulatory agencies, and animal industries from 25 countries reviewed and discussed existing research and potential for new technologies. The discussions focused on five primary categories:
- Vaccines
- Microbial-derived products
- Phytochemicals
- Immune-related products
- Innovative drugs, chemicals and enzymes
Participating scientists now have published six review articles offering in-depth analysis of potential applications of novel alternatives to antibiotics in food-animal production. Topics for these scholarly papers include:
- Innovative drugs, chemicals, and enzymes within the animal production chain
- Microbial-derived products as potential new antimicrobials
- Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals. Part 1: challenges and needs
- Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals. Part 2: new approaches and potential solutions
- The potential for immunoglobulins and host defense peptides (HDPs) to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal production
- Phytochemicals as antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and enhance host health
