Modelling framework to quantify the risk of AMR exposure via food products – example of chicken and lettuce
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex issue where microorganisms survive antimicrobial treatments, making such infections more difficult to treat and represents a global threat to public health.
This project sought to enable the production of more efficient, reproducible, and multi-factorial AMR risk assessments. The use of these models will also allow for better prioritisation of risk management interventions and the improved techniques to limit the spread of AMR and promote antimicrobial stewardship in the food chain.
Ausvet created models models in a user-editable form, including graphical user interface and comprehensive annotation, to allow for their adaptation to new and emerging risks. To test the adaptability of the tool to various pathogens and different food production chains, two combinations of microorganisms and two very different food productions were used: the chicken and the lettuce production chains.
The results showed that the model outputs were consistent with the existing scientific literature and therefore provided reliable results. One of the major strengths of the tool is its adaptability and flexibility to test new microorganisms and/or steps of the food value chains.
The project report is available here.