EMA: Reflection paper on use of pleuromutilins in food-producing animals in the European Union: development of resistance and impact on human and animal health

Pleuromutilins are active against Gram-positive bacteria such as streptococci and staphylococci, anaerobic bacteria and Mycoplasmata. They have been used for decades in veterinary medicine for the control of respiratory and intestinal infections in different animal species, especially in pigs and to a lesser extent in poultry and rabbits. The objective of this reflection paper is to summarise current knowledge on resistance development and the potential impact of this resistance on animal and human health.