Michaël Timmermans

Dr. Michaël Timmermans

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 June 2021 in International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MTMichaël Timmermans
Michaël Timmermans
PWPierre Wattiau
Pierre Wattiau
ODOlivier Denis
Olivier Denis
CBCécile Boland
Cécile Boland

29 July 2024 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MDMichèle Driesen
Michèle Driesen
MTMichaël Timmermans
Michaël Timmermans
MCMickaël Cargnel
Mickaël Cargnel
XSXavier Simons
Xavier Simons
MFMaria Eleni Filippitzi
Maria Eleni Filippitzi
CBCécile Boland
Cécile Boland
Linezolid is a critically important antimicrobial used in human medicine. While linezolid is not licensed for food-producing animals, the veterinary use of other antimicrobials, such as phenicols (e.g., florfenicol), could cross/co-select for linezolid-resistant (LR) bacteria. Such LR strains pose a great concern for public health due to their potential transfer between animals and humans. This study explored possible associations between epidemiological risk factors, including phenicol use, and the occurrence of LR bacteria, such as enterococci and staphylococci, in poultry, pigs, and veal calves in Belgium. Florfenicol use significantly increased the likelihood of harboring LR bacteria in veal calves, sows, and fattening pigs, particularly for the digestive tract (odds ratio (OR): [3.19–5.29]) and the respiratory tract (OR: [6.11–9.09]). LR strains from feces from fattening pigs were significantly associated with production type (OR: [3.31–44.14]) and the presence of other animal species (OR: 0.41). The occurrence of LR strains in the respiratory tract from sows was also significantly associated with using antimicrobials other than florfenicol (OR: 10.07) and purchasing animals (OR: 7.28). Our study highlights the potential risks of using certain veterinary antimicrobials, such as florfenicol, in food-producing animals and emphasizes the need for responsible antimicrobial use to safeguard both animal and public health.