Use of Antibiotics among Residents Living Close to Poultry or Goat Farms: A Nationwide Analysis in The Netherlands.

Cornelia C H Wielders,Lidwien A M Smit,Lisette Oude Boerrigter,Wim Van Der Hoek,Inge Roof

doi:10.3390/antibiotics10111346

Cornelia C H Wielders, Lidwien A M Smit + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10111346

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Abstract

Prior regional studies found a high risk of pneumonia for people living close to poultry and goat farms. This epidemiological study in the Netherlands used nationwide antibiotic prescription data as a proxy for pneumonia incidence to investigate whether residents of areas with poultry and goat farms use relatively more antibiotics compared to areas without such farms. We used prescription data on antibiotics most commonly prescribed to treat pneumonia in adults and livestock farming data, both with nationwide coverage. Antibiotic use was expressed as defined daily doses per (4-digit Postal Code (PC4) area)-(age group)-(gender)-(month) combination for the year 2015. We assessed the associations between antibiotic use and farm exposure using negative binomial regression. The amoxicillin, doxycycline, and co-amoxiclav use was significantly higher (5–10% difference in use) in PC4 areas with poultry farms present compared to areas without, even after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, socio-economic status, and goat farm presence. The adjusted models showed no associations between antibiotic use and goat farm presence. The variables included in this study could only partly explain the observed regional differences in antibiotic use. This was an ecological study that precludes inference about causal relations. Further research using individual-level data is recommended.

Highlights

In the Netherlands, livestock farming has intensified in the past decades [1]
Previous studies have shown the significant contribution of agriculture to air pollution, with large quantities of particulate matter (PM), ammonia, and endotoxins emitted by livestock farms [3,4,5,6]
Poultry and goat farm presence, and population size were collected for 4024 4-position Postal Code (PC4) areas in the Netherlands

Summary

Introduction

In the Netherlands, livestock farming has intensified in the past decades [1]. With a population of 17 million people, the Netherlands accommodates more than 100 million broilers and laying hens, 12.2 million pigs, 3.8 million cows and veal calves, 0.9 million sheep, and 0.6 million goats [2]. Previous studies have shown the significant contribution of agriculture to air pollution, with large quantities of particulate matter (PM), ammonia, and endotoxins emitted by livestock farms [3,4,5,6]. Farm-related exposures can lead to airway obstruction and increased respiratory symptoms, especially in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients [7,8]. Air pollution exposure may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections by chronic airway inflammation and reduced host defense function [9,10]

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