National Science Centre, JPIAMR-ACTION CALL 2021 “Ionophore Coccidiostats: Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance Selection – Clinical Impact and Intervention Strategies” 01.04.2022 – 31.12.2025

Project Leader: Jowita Samanta Niczyporuk, PhD

Funding: 2,159,183.00 PLN

Project Description: Current intensive broiler chicken production is heavily dependent on ionophore coccidiostats used in feed. Since ionophores are not utilized in human medicine, it is commonly assumed that their use has no impact on public health. However, recent evidence suggests that ionophores may contribute to the emergence of vancomycin resistance in enterococci or promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) relevant to medicine in Gram-positive bacteria. The objective of the proposed project is to: describe the outcomes of ionophore use, determine the impact of alternative agents on the clinical spread of key antimicrobial resistance genes. The project will investigate mechanisms of ionophore resistance in enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Within the “One Health” context, geographically diverse populations of poultry, retail poultry meat, environmental samples, and human isolates will be analyzed. Whole genome sequences of bacteria will be used for comparative analyses and investigation of the genetic basis of ionophore resistance. The results obtained will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of ionophore use in poultry production and on public health. In parallel, strategies to reduce ionophore use in broiler chicken production and the impact of ionophores on the spread of AMR genes will be evaluated. This will provide data to reduce the risk of AMR transmission in animal reservoirs and, consequently, the risk to humans. The research findings will constitute an important contribution to the discussion on prophylaxis and balanced use of ionophores in broiler chicken production.