Abstract
BackgroundIntensification of livestock production seen in many low- and middle-income countries is often believed to be associated with increased use of antimicrobials, and may hence contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to map antimicrobial use on small- (n = 25) and medium-scale (n = 27) pig farms in north-eastern Thailand, and to compare antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from sows on these farms.MethodsInformation regarding pig husbandry and antimicrobial treatment regimens was obtained by the use of semi-structured questionnaires. Faecal samples were collected from three healthy sows at each farm, and Escherichia coli was cultured and analysed for antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution method. Multilevel regression models were used to compare antimicrobial susceptibility between isolates from small- and medium-scale farms.ResultsAll farms included in the study administered antimicrobials to their sows. Small-scale farmers most commonly (64%) decided themselves when to give antimicrobials and the majority (60%) bought the medicines at the local store or pharmacy, whereas farmers on medium-scale farms always discussed antimicrobial treatment with a veterinarian. Medium-scale farms used a greater diversity of antimicrobials than small-scale farms and did also administer antimicrobials in feed to a higher extent. High levels of antimicrobial resistance to several critically important antimicrobials for human medicine (including ciprofloxacin, streptomycin and ampicillin) were found in isolates from both small- and medium-scale farms. Resistance levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in isolates from medium-scale farms for several of the antimicrobials tested, as well as the level of multidrug-resistance (P = 0.026).ConclusionThe routines regarding access and administration of antimicrobials differed between the small- and medium-scale farms. Although the level of antimicrobial resistance, as well as multidrug-resistance, was higher in isolates from medium-scale farms, it cannot be concluded if this increase is a consequence of a more abundant use of antimicrobials, or a result of differences in administration routines.
Highlights
Intensification of livestock production seen in many low- and middle-income countries is often believed to be associated with increased use of antimicrobials, and may contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance
As Escherichia coli are intestinal commensal bacteria present in both animals and humans, and subjected to a high selection pressure driven by the antimicrobials to which their hosts are exposed, they may serve as a good indicator to monitor the general level of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a human or livestock population [8]
Multidrug-resistance was significantly more commonly observed in isolates from pigs on medium- compared to small-scale farms. These results are in accordance with a study by Love et al [19], where herd size was reported to be positively associated with higher rates of multidrugresistance in E. coli isolated on pig farms in northern Thailand
Summary
Intensification of livestock production seen in many low- and middle-income countries is often believed to be associated with increased use of antimicrobials, and may contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Much of the resistance seen in human medicine originates from inappropriate use in humans [2], antimicrobial use within the livestock sector is believed to contribute to AMR through increased selective pressure and through generating resistance reservoirs [3, 4]. As Escherichia coli are intestinal commensal bacteria present in both animals and humans, and subjected to a high selection pressure driven by the antimicrobials to which their hosts are exposed, they may serve as a good indicator to monitor the general level of AMR in a human or livestock population [8]. Commensal bacteria are normally harmless, they may constitute a reservoir of resistance genes that may be transmitted to pathogenic bacteria [9]
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