Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae from Veterinary Farms: Current Trends, Challenges, and One Health Implications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Enterobacteriaceae is a global health crisis that threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics in both human and veterinary medicine. Veterinary farms represent important reservoirs for resistant bacteria, particularly multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus spp., and Enterobacter spp. These pathogens are capable of disseminating resistance determinants such as blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaNDM, and mcr genes through horizontal transfer in farm environments, the food chain, and human–animal interfaces. Evidence from Iraq and other regions demonstrates the high prevalence of β-lactamase genes in clinical, foodborne, and animal isolates, underscoring the interconnectedness of human and veterinary health (1–5). The increasing detection of carbapenem- and colistin-resistant isolates in livestock, despite the restricted use of these antibiotics in animals, highlights the complexity of AMR spread and its environmental dimension. This mini-review synthesizes current knowledge on the drivers of resistance in veterinary farms, key resistant Enterobacteriaceae, molecular mechanisms of resistance, zoonotic and environmental transmission, global surveillance trends, and mitigation strategies. Strengthened stewardship programs and integrated One Health approaches are urgently required to slow the emergence and dissemination of resistant Enterobacteriaceae.