Xenobiotics and Broiler Microbiota: Molecular Insights into Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance and Food Safety Implications for Human Health

Abstract

Antibiotics have played an evolving role in poultry production, generally transitioning from widespread use to more precise and controlled applications. Despite this shift, the long-term consequences of earlier practices continue to affect current and future generations. This review aims to explore the multifaceted consequences of antibiotic use in poultry production, with particular emphasis on the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Evidence demonstrates that antibiotic use affects the gut microbiome, often resulting in long-lasting decreased diversity and restructuring of the bacterial communities. Moreover, consequences extend to the surrounding environment, including the airborne microbiome, water systems, and poultry litter, where alterations in microbial communities tend to be more subtle, whereas changes in genetic elements related to resistance are often more pronounced (drift). The emergence and persistence of resistance in these environments facilitate the spread of resistance genes across ecological boundaries, contributing to the broader dissemination of AMR. These findings highlight the complex, interconnected nature of AMR, underscoring the urgent need for responses grounded in the One Health framework. Such approaches are essential for safeguarding both public and environmental health while maintaining sustainable poultry production practices.

Keywords

• poultry
• antibiotics
• antimicrobial resistance
• One Health