The use of Bacteriophage or their proteins as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock production

Abstract

The global demand for high quality meat products is continually increasing which in turn favours higher production rates. Antibiotics have been used as growth promoters in livestock production since the 1950’s, their use increases feed efficiency and growth but also promotes the evolution of antibiotic resistance. These multidrug resistant bacteria contaminate human feed stuffs but also the environment and ground water bodies via manure spreading on pasture. Bacteriophage specificity means commensal microflora can go unharmed during treatment, which is particularly useful when treating ruminants. On the other hand this may lead to a delay in therapy while the clinician is trying to identify the pathogen in order for the therapy to be effective.