FDA May Approve Cattle Drug Which Could Lead To Drug Resistant Superbugs

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Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 04 Mar 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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The FDA may approve Cefquinome, an antibiotic, for cattle use. Cefquinome is currently used for human gastrointestinal diseases, as well as meningitis. According to an article in the Washington Post, giving this drug to cattle could lead to the emergence of superbugs - bugs that are resistant to drugs that are currently given to humans.

Many experts believe antibiotics are already being overused. Rather than approving more of them for animal use, we should be doing the opposite. The Veterinary Medical Advisory Committee, which advises the FDA, rejected the drug's approval (for the use with cattle) last year. However, according to the Washington Post, it looks as though the FDA may well go ahead with the approval.

Because of procedural technicalities, it might be hard to reject the drug unless it can be proven to undermine treatment for food-borne illnesses.

Even though there is not direct link between giving Cefquinome to cattle and human mortality, experts worry that we may be driving more resistant genes into the human population - when it starts it cannot be reversed.

Cefquinome was developed by Intervet International for the treatment of respiratory disease in cattle. However, there are several drugs already in use which are effective.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
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