Prebiotic and Probiotic-Based Strategies for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Inappropriate antibiotic use for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases leads to antimicrobial resistance with resultant health hazards to humans and animals. Strict regulations have been imposed by many countries for reducing the usage of antibiotics for preventive and therapeutic purposes in animal farming and aquaculture. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics can be effectively used for control and treatment of diseases in place of antibiotics as prophylactics in cattle farming, including aquaculture. Probiotics are used in human and animal health aimed at improving the digestive health by modulation of gut microbiota, inhibition of colonization of microbial pathogens in the intestines, and increasing the immune status. Prebiotics act by promoting metabolism, the establishment of native intestinal bacteria, and eliminating the pathogenic bacteria, thereby improving health conditions of the host animal. A synbiotic is an amalgam of prebiotics and probiotics, where prebiotic selectively favors growth of probiotic organism(s). The chapter discusses the present uses of probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics, along with the limitations. The need for studies to assure the safety of probiotic organisms used is also presented.