Antibiotic Use in Alpine Dairy Farms and Its Relation to Biosecurity and Animal Welfare.

Giovanni Cunial,Jacopo Tarakdjian,Francesca Menegon,Guido Di Martino,Debora Dellamaria,Grazia Manca,Katia Capello,Sara Andreatta,Giovanni Farina,Dario Pasqualin

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11020231

Abstract

The quantification of antimicrobial usage (AMU) in food-producing animals can help identify AMU risk factors, thereby enhancing appropriate stewardship policies and strategies for a more rational use. AMU in a sample of 34 farms in the Province of Trento (north-eastern Italy) from 2018 to 2020 was expressed as defined daily doses for animals per population correction unit according to European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption guidelines (DDDvet) and according to Italian guidelines (DDDAit). A retrospective analysis was carried out to test the effects of several husbandry practices on AMU. Overall, the average AMU ranged between 6.5 DDDAit in 2018 and 5.2 DDDAit in 2020 (corresponding to 9 and 7 DDDvet, respectively), showing a significant trend of decrement (−21.3%). Usage of the highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) was reduced by 83% from 2018 to 2020. Quarantine management, available space, water supply, animals’ cleanliness and somatic cell count had no significant association with AMU. Rather, farms with straw-bedded cubicles had lower AMU levels than those with mattresses and concrete floors (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study evidenced a decrement in AMU, particularly regarding HPCIA, but only a few risk factors due to farm management.

Highlights

The usage of antimicrobials (AMU) to treat large animal populations in intensive livestock production is necessary to avoid animals suffering from bacterial infections and, to guarantee animal health and welfare [1], but it comes with side effects.antimicrobial use in both humans and animals leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [2,3,4,5].AMR is a global threat for both human and animal health, as it might compromise the effectiveness of infections’ treatment [4,6,7]
Antimicrobials classified as highest priority critically important (HPCIA), ranged between 23.52% and 5.32% DDDAit of the total antimicrobial usage (AMU)
The use of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) was reduced by 83% from 2018 to 2020 (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The usage of antimicrobials (AMU) to treat large animal populations in intensive livestock production is necessary to avoid animals suffering from bacterial infections and, to guarantee animal health and welfare [1], but it comes with side effects.antimicrobial use in both humans and animals leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [2,3,4,5].AMR is a global threat for both human and animal health, as it might compromise the effectiveness of infections’ treatment [4,6,7]. The usage of antimicrobials (AMU) to treat large animal populations in intensive livestock production is necessary to avoid animals suffering from bacterial infections and, to guarantee animal health and welfare [1], but it comes with side effects. Antimicrobial use in both humans and animals leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [2,3,4,5]. AMR is a global threat for both human and animal health, as it might compromise the effectiveness of infections’ treatment [4,6,7]. Misuse, underdosing and overuse of antimicrobials are the strongest drivers for AMR [8,9]. Action plans on AMR were developed both at a national and international level [9,10,11].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion