NIFA-Funded Researchers Investigate Antimicrobial Resistance

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.27 million people died in 2019 directly from bacterial AMR. Additionally, it contributed to the death of 4.95 million people. Globally, antibiotics are used significantly in both human medicine and agriculture. 

In agriculture, antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics are used to treat diseases and maintain animal health. To reduce potential negative impacts from the use of antibiotics and identify alternative strategies for mitigating AMR in the food chain, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funds research that investigates AMR using a systems approach that transcends disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences.  

In 2024, NIFA invested $2.6 million in projects as part of the Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance Across the Food Chain program area priority within NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. This program area priority outlines a systems-based integrated program that empowers interdisciplinary teams to develop, refine and disseminate science-based knowledge about food and agricultural management and production practices that can mitigate or reduce the risk of AMR along the food chain. 

Learn more about some of the AMR research funded by NIFA. 

At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Randall Singer is focused on reducing the amount of antibiotics used to treat Clostridial dermatitis (CD) in turkeys, one of the most important diseases in turkey production. This bacterial disease represents the majority of antibiotic use in turkey production. “To help the U.S. turkey industry reduce the need for antibiotics, we must find ways of reducing the incidence of Clostridial dermatitis,” Singer said. “However, we will never eliminate this disease entirely, and therefore we must also help veterinarians ensure they are practicing good antibiotic stewardship when treatment is needed. We believe that the only way we will see major improvements in antibiotic stewardship and consequent reductions in antibiotic resistance associated with turkey will be through a highly integrated collaboration with the U.S. turkey industry.”  

Singer’s project was designed in collaboration with veterinarians at the largest turkey companies in the United States – in total, those that produce more than 75% of turkey annually. Using a dynamic web-based dashboard tools, industry collaborators will be able to evaluate options for reducing the incidence of CD. The tools will show the user outcomes such as expected reductions in antibiotic resistance associated with each intervention option as well as the costs associated with each of these strategies.  

“Tools such as these will help ensure the long-term sustainability of U.S. turkey production because the end-users of these tools will be able to identify effective interventions that have an effect on multiple outcomes of concern while also maximizing the return on investment of these strategies,” Singer said. “This project is highly collaborative with veterinarians and other professionals within the U.S. turkey industry and should greatly improve our understanding of the key disease that necessitates the majority of antibiotic use in turkey production.” 

At Cornell University, Dr. Casey Cazer is developing new analytic tools using machine learning to monitor AMR. She is testing these tools on E. coli in cattle, which is important as resistant E. coli can be transmitted from cattle to humans through raw and undercooked beef products, direct contact or the environment. “Overall, our research will improve antimicrobial resistance surveillance and help us understand and respond to changes in antimicrobial resistance,” Cazer said. 

At the University of Vermont, Dr. John Barlow is studying how AMR pathogens spread between cattle and humans on dairy farms. He is leveraging emerging advanced molecular genetic approaches to AMR surveillance, which have the potential to increase the ability to monitor AMR because the methods are faster and less labor intensive. This will allow for more frequent and more comprehensive surveillance. In parallel, his lab is exploring how veterinarians perceive AMR on dairy farms and the potential value of molecular genetic data to inform farmers about AMR. “This project will address that gap in knowledge and will contribute to our ability to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in agricultural production systems, with a focus on small- to medium-sized dairy farms,” Barlow said. 

Dr. En Huang at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is assessing the prevalence of AMR in retail vegetables and determining critical factors contributing to AMR transmission in vegetable production and supply chains. “Food is an important vehicle for transmitting foodborne microorganisms,” Huang said. “Fresh vegetables may serve as an important reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes.” Extension educators will disseminate the research results to farmers, the produce industry, consumers and the public to mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance in vegetable products. The project is a collaborative effort involving Dr. Xinhui Li from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Dr. Xu Yang from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, and Dr. Erin DiCaprio from University of California Davis. 

Dr. Laura Huber at Auburn University is investigating the impact of antimicrobial use (AMU) on microbial diversity, prevalence of AMR genes, and genes involved in the spread between and within antimicrobial-free and conventional poultry farms. She also is studying bird morbidity and mortality and identifying factors that contribute to health and disease prevention. The research aims to inform best practices to reduce AMU without compromising animal health and productivity. According to Huber, “mitigating AMR in poultry farms will improve food safety in the U.S. by avoiding farm-to-fork transmission of AMR pathogens and improving food production efficiency by reducing recalls.” 

To learn more about NIFA’s support for AMR research and education, visit https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/food-safety/antimicrobial-resistance.