ABSTRACT
Modern porcine-raising practice has provided positive results in pork production, however this practice predisposes the animals to a large number of diseases. The occurrence of infectious diseases has stimulated pork producers to engage in the indiscriminate use of antimicrobial drugs. Escherichia coli is one of the most important pathogens in swine production systems and has been characterized by multi-resistance to antimicrobial drugs. The ability of this bacteria in the horizontal spread of antibiotic resistance is associated to several genetic mechanisms and has many public health implications. Among the problems associated to the spread of multi-resistance are the contamination of humans and animals by pathogenic bacteria of difficult therapeutic control, mainly by contamination of their food and environment. This review aims to discuss important aspects related to the pathogenic potential of E. coli in swine and its resistance to antimicrobial drugs. In addition, it presents some alternatives to the use of antimicrobial drugs in swine production.
KEY WORDS
E. coli
; suínos; promotores de crescimento; resistência; antibioticoterapia