Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry Meat in the Mediterranean Region: Prevalence, Public Health Implications, and Control Strategies: A review

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered one of the major threats to public health in the 21st century, and the role of animal-derived foods in the development and spread of resistant bacteria is now globally recognized. Poultry meat, as the most-consumed source of animal protein worldwide, has been consistently associated with the carriage of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria across several foodborne pathogens. The excessive and misuse of antimicrobials for therapeutic, prophylactic, and growth-promoting purposes in the poultry sector have accelerated the development of antibiotic resistance, which may contribute to human exposure through the food chain. Recent investigations have documented the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria and mcr-1 -associated colistin-resistant strains in broiler meat, highlighting a potential public health concern regarding AMR transmission through the food chain. The continued emergence and dissemination of zoonotic pathogens constitute a critical global health challenge; accordingly, mitigating these risks to human, animal, and environmental health necessitates the execution of a comprehensive One Health framework. Despite multiple national surveillance initiatives, substantial gaps continue in the comparative assessment of AMR trends, policy heterogeneity, and the degree of One Health integration across Mediterranean countries. This review intends to address these deficiencies by synthesizing current evidence on AMR in poultry meat, with particular emphasis on the Mediterranean region, and by critically evaluating intervention measures to reduce associated human health risks.