There are many types of bacteria present on planet earth. Of the ones we know about, the majority are harmless, some beneficial to health, but others exist that can cause disease in animals including us humans. Since the 1950’s, our medical and veterinary professionals have used antibiotic, biocidal (disinfectant), and antiseptic products to control these harmful types. But, these disease causing bacteria are developing resistance to these products. This is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and is a major cause for concern globally. Disease pandemics are known to damage social and economic infrastructure. A viral pandemic could weaken peoples’ immune systems to a point that the patient has no defence against virulent pathogenic bacteria that can’t be controlled by biocides in our hospitals, and that can no longer be controlled within the patient by treatment with antibiotics, due to AMR. Pruex aims to inspire change in our strategy and lead the fight against AMR using what nature has taught us.

In nature, there is a balance of bacterial types, regulated by the way each colony jostles and competes for dominance. There is never a void, there is always bacteria. Humans and animals don’t live in sterile environments. The balance is maintained as healthy when there are more harmless bacteria than there are harmful types. If all types are removed, via heat, or chemical action, for example by disinfection, then a race to repopulate the void ensues. If the race is won by the harmful bacteria, then the risk of animals contracting disease increases. Soil is dominated by harmless bacteria, whereas faeces is dominated by harmful types. In nature, animals are surrounded by soil, and as long as they don’t contaminate their water, bedding or air with faecal bacteria, their risk of contracting bacterial disease is limited.

Pruex apply a one health approach to reduce the threat of AMR globally, working to help professionals in human and animal health sectors do all they can to ensure the good types of bacteria win.

Human misuse of antibiotics and disinfectant is driving the threat of AMR, but press coverage seems to point the blame at veterinary use in agriculture. To succeed in our aim of reducing the risk of AMR, humans can’t divide opinion and concentrate blame on one section of our social and economic infrastructure over another. We have to work as a team and target all areas of concern collectively. A one health approach.

In hospitals, “super bugs” are very problematic. People with no infections catching bacterial disease whilst in hospital. The infections caused by bacteria that are either resistant to disinfection, or that can survive disinfection by being protected in a biofilm, a nest of slime that disinfection can’t totally eradicate from surfaces. From their nest of slime, they quickly win the race to repopulate the void generated by the cleaning process. Biofilm also pose a health problem in our homes, offices, recreational establishments and schools. If soil isn’t dominant, good types of bacteria are not dominant, and a biofilm exists. The infective types of bacteria win the race over the good types. Pruex provide good bacteria in cleaning products that remove biofilm without creating a void and reduce the risk of infective bacteria making people sick. If they’re not infected, they don’t need antibiotics. This reduces the risk of infective bacteria becoming resistant to disinfection and antibiotics.

The immune system has a role to play, for humans and animals alike. Age, stress levels, genetics, diet, exercise, air quality, temperature, humidity, water quality, mental health and wellbeing are all variables that can influence the effectiveness of the immune system in defending people and animals against infections. The role of colostrum in mammals or yolk in birds in ensuring passive immunity from mother to offspring can also determine the strength of the immune system. Pruex apply a two fold strategy to disease prevention, using non infective bacteria to ensure less risk of environmental infections, and dietary products to work with the immune system from within. Protecting from outside and inside the body.

Bacterial infections in our food production systems are problematic, reducing efficiencies, and adding costs to production. Sick animals don’t grow well. Post the second world war, the need for low cost food saw an intensification of agriculture to prevent starvation of human populations. As a result, animals have been kept in large numbers. So water systems have been developed to pipe water to animals. Biofilm is a major problem within these water systems. The tools used by veterinarians to limit the effect of infections have been antibiotics, disinfectants and antiseptics, but the threat of AMR requires a new strategy. Pruex provide dietary products to work from within the animals’ body and good bacteria in cleaning products for surfaces and water systems to remove biofilm without creating a void. This strategy reduces the risk of infective bacteria in the animals’ water and bedding infecting animals and generates lower levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide. Farmers and pet owners alike work with Pruex to ensure a dry bed, clean air and water for their animals, reducing the risk of infection. If the animals aren’t infected, they don’t need antibiotics. This reduces the risk of infective bacteria becoming resistant to disinfection and antibiotics. Consumers can be confident that animals reared in a Pruex barn are healthier.

Pruex aims to lead the global fight against AMR. Please work with us.

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