Animal Health Care Research Articles

Antibiotic prescription, dispensing and use in humans and livestock in East Africa: does morality have a role to play?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human and livestock health. Although AMR is driven by use of antimicrobials, it is often attributed to "misuse" and "overuse", particularly for antibiotics. To curb resistance, there has been a global call to embrace new forms of moral personhood that practice "proper" use, including prescription, dispensing and consumption of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics. This paper seeks to reflect on complex questions about how morality has become embedded /embodied in the AMR discourse as presented in the data collected on antimicrobial prescription, dispensing and use in human and livestock health in Tanzania, primarily focusing on antibiotics. This reflection is anchored on Jarrett Zigon's morality framework that is comprised of three dimensions of discourse; the institutional, public, and embodied dispositions. The data we use within this framework are derived from a qualitative study targeting human and animal health care service providers and community members in northern Tanzania. Data were collected through 28 in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions and analysed through content analysis after translation and transcription. In addition, a review of the Tanzania's National Action Plans on antimicrobial resistance was conducted. Application of the framework demonstrates points of convergence and divergence in the institutional morality discourse articulated by the Tanzania National Action Plans, the public discourse and the embodied dispositions/ lived experiences of human and animal health care service providers and community members. We demonstrate that AMR is not just associated with "inappropriate" behaviour on the part of drug prescribers, dispensers, and users but also with shortcomings in health systems and service delivery. Antibiotic dispensing and use practices that may be associated with the development of AMR should not be viewed in isolation from the broader health context within which they occur.

Pharmacist and veterinarian collaboration in Klang Valley, Malaysia: A veterinarians' perception

BackgroundThe collaboration between pharmacists and veterinarians plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal animal healthcare. Understanding the willingness of veterinarians to collaborate with pharmacists and analyzing the prescribing trends by veterinarians are essential factors in improving the quality of veterinary care. By analyzing these aspects, valuable insights can be gained to enhance interprofessional collaboration and optimize medication management in veterinary practice. ObjectivesTo examine the willingness of veterinarians towards interprofessional collaboration with community pharmacist. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 40 veterinary clinics in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data was collected via online using Google Forms from registered veterinarians working in private veterinary clinics in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Descriptive statistics and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS version 27. ResultsThe overall willingness of veterinarians to collaborate with community pharmacists was measured with a median score of 51 out of 75. The results indicated that 55 % of veterinarians demonstrated high willingness to collaborate. Specifically, 52.5 % of veterinarians had a positive attitude towards collaboration, 55 % recognized the roles of pharmacists positively, and 57.5 % identified barriers to collaboration. These findings highlight a generally positive inclination towards interprofessional collaboration among veterinarians. ConclusionMore veterinarians demonstrated a positive willingness to collaborate with pharmacists for optimal patient care. However, several constraints were identified, including a lack of face-to-face communication, concerns about pharmacists' knowledge or skills in veterinary medicine, and financial interests. Addressing these issues could further enhance collaboration between veterinarians and pharmacist.

Rabies, The Administration of Vaccines and Public Health Concern, Neglected Challenges and Historical Perspective in China

Rabies virus is transmitted via contact of saliva of a rabid animal with a person ,s mucosa or a skin lesion. It is a fatal encephalomyelitis caused by members of expanding Lyssavirus genus, and the genus included 17 species. The aim of this literature review is to survey on rabies and vaccination in China, threats and challenges to eliminate it, especially in China. The information provided is obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical observations and studies which were gathered from various literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords were dogs, glycoprotein, lyssavirus, post-exposure prophylaxis, and rabies virus. Rabies virus is a bullet shaped enveloped virion, and the classical rabies virus and its field strains are discovered worldwide and induces to rabies in animals and humans. In recent years, China has made wonderful and significant achievements in rabies prevention and control, and currently, the mortality and incidence rate of human infection with rabies have decreased to the minimum level historically, which has caused a notable foundation for the ultimate elimination of human rabies. Generally, five proteins are available in mature rabies virus particles, phosphoprotein, nucleoprotein, glycoprotein, matrix protein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The main carriers of rabies in China are dogs which are accountable for most of the human rabies deaths in China. Most common way of entry of rabies virus into the body is both via infected neural tissue through open cuts in the skin and salvia. The most notable parameters which limit rabies vaccinations are limited laboratory-based surveillance, diminished community outreach and education, underestimation of the population at risk, irregular vaccine applications in space and time, inaccessible naïve free-ranging dogs, exclusion of puppies, cold chain failure, translocation of cases, effect of other species, including cats, wildlife, and livestock, accessibility to remote hotspots, competing priorities, lack of adequate resources, impact of poverty on responsible social ownership and routine animal health care, cultural disparities, Sisyphean fatigue, frustration and staff burn-out. Rabies remain a public health problem and continue to present health risks for both animals and human; It is important to improve access to PEP in endemic countries where human rabies deaths still happen, but the big problem is its costs that should be curtailed and surveillance strengthened for controlling and eliminating it.

Defense mechanisms of Salmonella against antibiotics: a review

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogenic bacterium that causes salmonellosis worldwide. Also, Salmonella is considered a serious problem for food safety and public health. Several antimicrobial classes including aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, phenols, and β-Lactams are used to treat Salmonella infections. Antibiotics have been prescribed for decades to treat infections caused by bacteria in human and animal healthcare. However, intensive use of antibiotics resulted in antibiotic resistance (AR) among several foodborne bacteria including Salmonella. Furthermore, multi-drug resistance (MDR) of Salmonella has increased dramatically. In addition to MDR Salmonella, extensively drug resistant (XDR) as well as pan drug resistant (PDR) Salmonella were reported globally. Therefore, increasing AR is becoming a serious universal public health crisis. Salmonella developed many mechanisms to ensure its survival against antimicrobials. The most prominent defense mechanisms against these antibiotics include enzymatic inactivation, expelling drugs from the cell through efflux pumps, altering the structure of drugs, and changing or protecting the targets of drugs. Additionally, the formation of biofilms and plasmid-mediated AR by Salmonella, enhancing its resistance to various antibiotics, making it a challenging pathogen in both healthcare and food industry settings. This review focuses exclusively on providing a detailed overview of the mechanisms of AR in Salmonella.

Utilization and associated determinants of multi-sectoral approach in zoonotic disease surveillance among animal and human healthcare workers in Nakuru County, Kenya

Background Zoonoses are naturally transmissible between humans and animals. Globally, they account for more than 60% of human infections, 75% of emerging infections, 2.7 million human deaths, and 10% of the total DALYs lost yearly in Africa. In the last three decades, Kenya has had sporadic outbreaks of zoonoses. To increase the speed of reporting and efficiencies in detection and control, a multi-sectoral collaboration in zoonotic disease surveillance (MZDS) between human and animal health workers is essential. In an effort, Zoonotic disease unit (ZDU) in Kenya has been established at national and county levels. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the level of utilization of multisectoral collaboration and its associated determinants in zoonotic disease surveillance among animal and human healthcare workers in Nakuru County. Quantitative data was gathered from 102 participants and qualitative data from 5 key informants. To test for significant differences, Chi-square and independent t-test were used. Results MZDS utilization level was 16% and the factors associated with MZDS utilization include; knowing what MZDS entails, education level, sector affiliation, trainings, supportive infrastructure, budget allocation and data storage. Lack of financing and poor coordination are hindrances to MZDS. Conclusion There is need to finance MZDS activities, strengthen coordination mechanisms, carry out more sensitization and trainings among animal and human healthcare workers.

Environmental bacterial load during surgical and ultrasound procedures in a Swedish small animal hospital

BackgroundEnvironmental bacteria in animal healthcare facilities may constitute a risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Knowledge of the bacterial microflora composition and factors influencing the environmental bacterial load can support tailored interventions to lower the risk for HAI. The aims of this study were to: (1) quantify and identify environmental bacteria in one operating room (OR) and one ultrasound room (UR) in a small animal hospital, (2) compare the bacterial load to threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities, (3) characterise the genetic relationship between selected bacterial species to assess clonal dissemination, and (4) investigate factors associated with bacterial load during surgery.Settle plates were used for passive air sampling and dip slides for surface sampling. Bacteria were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption—Time Of Flight. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution. Single nucleotide polymorphism-analysis was performed to identify genetically related isolates. Linear regression was performed to analyse associations between observed explanatory factors and bacterial load.ResultsThe bacterial load on settle plates and dip slides were low both in the OR and the UR, most of the samples were below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities. All settle plates sampled during surgery were below the threshold values suggested for use in human clean surgical procedures.Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were the dominating species. There was no indication of clonal relationship among the sequenced isolates. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants were revealed.Air change and compliance with hygiene routines were sufficient in the OR. No other factors possibly associated with the bacterial load were identified.ConclusionsThis study presents a generally low bacterial load in the studied OR and UR, indicating a low risk of transmission of infectious agents from the clinical environment. The results show that it is possible to achieve bacterial loads below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities in ORs in small animal hospitals and thus posing a reduced risk of HAI. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants indicates that resistant bacteria can persist in the clinical environment, with increased risk for HAI.

Perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among animal healthcare practitioners in South Africa.

The South African government recognises the value of traditional healing and supports an integrated healthcare system. In the veterinary field, successful integration depends on the perceptions of different animal healthcare practitioners (AHCPs). This study aimed to determine the perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among state-employed veterinarians and animal health technicians in the North West province. A mixed model questionnaire and non-probability sampling gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 53 participants. Statistical and thematic analysis processes were applied to quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Overall, 77.4% of participants were aware of ethnoveterinary medicine practices. Approval of the use of ethnoveterinary medicine by farmers was above-average at a mean of 3.57, standard deviation (s.d.) = 1.016 on a 5-point Likert scale. However, 65.9% doubted the effectiveness of ethnoveterinary medicine, which suggests tolerance but no appreciation of its value. The Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between district municipality of employment and awareness at χ2= 17.490,df= 3,p= 0.001. Thematic analysis of comments showed that some participants perceived ethnoveterinary medicine as unscientific and interfering with Western veterinary medicine, while some considered it a good complement to Western veterinary medicine. The study also found that 20.8% of AHCPs use ethnoveterinary medicine to treat certain diseases. In conclusion, the lack of appreciation for ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs may hinder government-proposed integration, emphasising the need for programmes to improve perceptions among these stakeholders.Contribution:This is first such study to report on perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs, and assess their readiness for an integrated animal health system.

DNA barcoding and phylogenetic relationships of ecologically and commercially important seaweed species from the Azores (NE Atlantic)

Marine natural resources are increasingly demanded to support the livelihoods and wellbeing of humans facing multiple and simultaneous crises across the planet. Seaweeds, in particular, are renowned sources of bioactive marine compounds used for various purposes, including human and animal nutrition, soil fertilization, and healthcare markets. DNA-based tools are being adopted in integrative taxonomy and ecological research, as well as to monitor the supply chain of commercially important species. This research provides novel insights into the population genetics, phylogenetic relationships, and haplotype network of six commercially significant seaweed species that are abundant in the Azores archipelago and currently traded for industrial applications. This study provides a detailed assessment of the genetic diversity of the red seaweeds Asparagopsis armata, Asparagopsis taxiformis, and Pterocladiella capillacea, and the brown seaweeds Halopteris scoparia, Zonaria tournefortii, and Cystoseira pustulata, contributing with 17 newly generated barcodes of COI, rbcL, and 28S rDNA gene records from the Azores region to the reference databases. Understanding the species identification and population dynamics is critical for understanding species composition in biodiversity hotspots. This knowledge supports taxonomy, conservation, environmental protection, and the sustainable use of marine resources.

Unleashing the future: Exploring the transformative prospects of artificial intelligence in veterinary science

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative paradigm, promising revolutionary advancements in animal healthcare. Leveraging AI's unparalleled capacity for rapid data analysis significantly enhances diagnostic precision and speed, thereby facilitating informed decision-making by veterinarians. Predictive medicine powered by AI not only anticipates disease outbreaks but also enables tracking zoonotic diseases and predicting individual health risks for animals. AI helps to generate personalized treatment plans by analyzing genetic, environmental, and historical data. Remote monitoring and telemedicine, empowered by AI, overcome geographical constraints and offer continuous care, enabling veterinarians to track vital signs and intervene promptly. However, as AI becomes integral to veterinary practice, ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, transparency, and responsible AI use are crucial. This review explores the scope of AI in enhancing research and drug development, highlighting its ability to improve the discovery process and contribute to novel therapeutic interventions. It emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a delicate balance between AI-driven automation and the expertise of veterinary professionals. As the veterinary community moves toward embracing the transformative potential of AI, this comprehensive examination provides valuable insights into the current scenario. It discusses the challenges, opportunities, implications, and ethical considerations that shape the future of AI in veterinary science.

Fauna sinantrópica e silvestre no ciclo da leptospirose e impactos legais e forenses na “Saúde Única”

The term “synanthropic” qualifies animals that have adapted to living alongside humans, often involuntarily. Synanthropy is characterized by the potential transmission of diseases to humans. The One Health approach increasingly emphasizes the importance of veterinary medicine in animal and environmental healthcare, with a focus on human health. This review aims to identify, understand and discuss the impacts of synanthropic and wild fauna on animal, public and environmental health, as well as legal and forensic aspects within the framework of One Health. The challenges encompassing One Health challenge both veterinary medicine and the law. Veterinary expertise is a resource that can assist in legal matters relating to the environmental management of synanthropic and wild fauna. Humans exposed to synanthropic and wild animals are considered a risk factor for disease transmission. The presence of rodents in urban and rural areas generates economic and health problems as they transmit diseases directly or indirectly. The rodents involved in the transmission of leptospirosis are Rattus rattus, Rattus norvergicus and Mus musculus. Leptospirosis is a neglected disease transmitted both by rodents and wild animals. The understanding of this issue must communicate actions to public authorities to develop health and environmental education policies regarding this fauna in order to reduce, control or eliminate the risks of disease transmission. This review bases its information on the Pubmed platform, Google Scholar, articles and textbooks. Despite existing legislation, leptospirosis is still considered a neglected disease, and synanthropic and wild fauna represent a significant challenge to the One Health concept due to the lack of basic sanitation and poor urban infrastructure that facilitates the presence of this fauna, which cause health and economic problems for the population.

Smallholder livestock farming in the face of climate change: Challenges in the Raya Alamata district of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

AbstractSmallholder livestock farming is a crucial component of African economies, particularly south of the Sahara, sustaining millions of farmers and bolstering food security continent‐wide. Our study investigates into the effects of climate change on smallholder livestock farmers in northern Ethiopia's Raya Alamata district, investigating how farmers are adapting to evolving conditions. A field survey encompassing 177 households within three rural communities, coupled with statistical analysis, revealed that droughts strike once every three seasons, causing water and forage shortages, rangeland deterioration and a surge in livestock diseases and deaths. In seasons marked by dryness and heat, the incidence of livestock illness increased markedly, and daily milk yield per cow plummeted from 4 to 1.66 litres. In response, local farmers have transitioned from open grazing to stall‐feeding, heavily dependent on costly market‐bought feeds. Other significant adaptive measures include providing shelter, bathing livestock during heatwaves and practicing transhumance. To enhance resilience to these issues, we advocate for improved environmental conservation, better access to climate data and resources, better animal health care, and subsidized and readily available feed. Our research underscores the profound adversities confronting smallholder livestock farmers in northern Ethiopia due to climate change, implications that extend to food security and the economic equilibrium of the area and beyond.

Veterinary Telemedicine in Lithuania: Analysis of the Current Market, Animal Owner Knowledge, and Success Factors for Digital Transformation of Clinics.

Veterinary telemedicine is used to provide animal health care information, education, and care remotely. Digital transformation of veterinary clinics is a fundamental process for the evolution of telemedicine and is changing the way veterinary care and animal health services are delivered. This study aimed to evaluate the current televeterinary market and to assess the knowledge of animal owners and clinic managers. The goals of this study were met by conducting an analysis of the current televeterinary market through a pet owner (n = 200) survey as well as clinic owner (n = 5) interviews. In contrast to other countries, only 1.85% of Lithuanian veterinary clinics offered a paid veterinary remote consultation service on their websites. In addition, more than half of animal owners who participated in the survey did not even know that remote veterinary consultations existed. The most important established factors for the success of digital transformation of veterinary telemedicine were investments in the marketing of the services, management leadership, the competencies and experience of veterinarians, convenient working hours for the client, faster service availability, and lower price. It is recommended to involve marketing and information technology company professionals and to invest in the specialty, digital, and communication skills of veterinarians.

Empirical Analysis on Economic Sustainable of Rice Rain-Fed Area in Rural Cambodia

This paper investigates the economic sustainability of Cambodian rural rice farmers. Rice in Cambodia is a stable crop just as in many other Southeast Asian countries. The rice plants not only provide food to people but also a source of feed for livestock. Based on survey about of 6 districts of the rural household in Battambang of Cambodia, a total 204 rice farmers were interviewed and multiple regression models was applied using the method of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to determine the factors affecting the Crop-livestock farmers’ disposable income. The study aggregated the livestock of 3 species including cattle, pig and chicken in cattle unit standard known as Livestock Unit (LU). The result of the empirical analysis shows that many household demography factors as well as the socioeconomic factors influences the disposable income. The findings in the study provide an insight to the government and extension offices on effective development of economic sustainability of rice farming and livestock production system in the regions; investing more in public animal healthcare; ensure stable market prices for both rice and livestock, paying more attention on the factors limiting income in particular to poorer provinces and districts. Provide irrigation facilities accompanied with high technological varieties to encourage the double or even triple rice seasons. In addition, government (especially the ministry of agriculture) should embark on technological transfer among provinces and countries with successful agricultural system, orient farmers on the potential benefits of crop-livestock farming, provide training ground and scheme to local farmers.

Expanding access to veterinary clinical decision support in resource-limited settings: a scoping review of clinical decision support tools in medicine and antimicrobial stewardship.

Digital clinical decision support (CDS) tools are of growing importance in supporting healthcare professionals in understanding complex clinical problems and arriving at decisions that improve patient outcomes. CDS tools are also increasingly used to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices in healthcare settings. However, far fewer CDS tools are available in lowerand middle-income countries (LMICs) and in animal health settings, where their use in improving diagnostic and treatment decision-making is likely to have the greatest impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate digital CDS tools designed as a direct aid to support diagnosis and/or treatment decisionmaking, by reviewing their scope, functions, methodologies, and quality. Recommendations for the development of veterinary CDS tools in LMICs are then provided. The review considered studies and reports published between January 2017 and October 2023 in the English language in peer-reviewed and gray literature. A total of 41 studies and reports detailing CDS tools were included in the final review, with 35 CDS tools designed for human healthcare settings and six tools for animal healthcare settings. Of the tools reviewed, the majority were deployed in high-income countries (80.5%). Support for AMS programs was a feature in 12 (29.3%) of the tools, with 10 tools in human healthcare settings. The capabilities of the CDS tools varied when reviewed against the GUIDES checklist. We recommend a methodological approach for the development of veterinary CDS tools in LMICs predicated on securing sufficient and sustainable funding. Employing a multidisciplinary development team is an important first step. Developing standalone CDS tools using Bayesian algorithms based on local expert knowledge will provide users with rapid and reliable access to quality guidance on diagnoses and treatments. Such tools are likely to contribute to improved disease management on farms and reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use, thus supporting AMS practices in areas of high need.

Utilization and associated determinants of multi-sectoral approach in zoonotic disease surveillance among animal and human healthcare workers in Nakuru County, Kenya

Background Zoonoses are naturally transmissible between humans and animals. Globally, they account for more than 60% of human infections, 75% of emerging infections, 2.7 million human deaths, and 10% of the total DALYs lost yearly in Africa. In the last three decades, Kenya has had sporadic outbreaks of zoonoses. To increase the speed of reporting and efficiencies in detection and control, a multi-sectoral collaboration in zoonotic disease surveillance (MZDS) between human and animal health workers is essential. In an effort, Zoonotic disease unit (ZDU) in Kenya has been established at national and county levels. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the level of utilization of multisectoral collaboration and its associated determinants in zoonotic disease surveillance among animal and human healthcare workers in Nakuru County. Quantitative data was gathered from 102 participants and quantitative data from 5 key informants. To test for significant differences, Chi-square and independent t-test were used. Results MZDS utilization level was 16% and the factors associated with higher utilization include; knowing what MZDS entails, education level, sector affiliation, trainings, supportive infrastructure and data storage. Lack of financing and poor coordination are hindrances to MZDS. Conclusion There is need to finance MZDS activities, strengthen coordination mechanisms, carry out more sensitization and trainings among animal and human healthcare.

Review of current perspectives and future outlook on bacterial disease prevention through vaccination in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer).

Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, is an important aquatic species in mariculture. Intensive farming of this species has faced episodes of bacterial diseases, including those due to vibriosis, scale drop, and muscle necrosis disease, big belly disease, photobacteriosis, columnaris, streptococcosis, aeromoniasis, and tenacibaculosis. Vaccination is one of the most efficient, non-antibiotic, and eco-friendly strategies for protecting fish against bacterial diseases, contributing to aquaculture expansion and ensuring food security. As of now, although numerous vaccines have undergone laboratory research, only one commercially available inactivated vaccine, suitable for both immersion and injection administration, is accessible for preventing Streptococcus iniae. Several key challenges in developing vaccines for Asian seabass must be addressed, such as the current limited understanding of immunological responses to vaccines, the costs associated with vaccine production, forms, and routes of vaccine application, and how to increase the adoption of vaccines by farmers. The future of vaccine development for the Asian seabass industry, therefore, is discussed with these key critical issues in mind. The focus is on improving our understanding of Asian seabass immunity, including maternal immunity, immunocompetence, and immune responses post-vaccination, as well as developing tools to assess vaccine effectiveness. The need for an alignment of fish vaccines with state-of-the-art vaccine technologies employed in human and terrestrial animal healthcare is also discussed. This review also discusses the necessity of providing locally-produced autogenous vaccines, especially for immersion and oral vaccines, to benefit small-scale fish farmers, and the potential benefits that might be extended through changes to current husbandry practices such as the vaccination of broodstock and earlier life stages of their off-spring.

Effect of Animal-Assisted Education including Animal Health Care on Respectful Recognition of Life and Self-Efficacy of the Children in a Local Children’s center

Effect of Animal-Assisted Education including Animal Health Care on Respectful Recognition of Life and Self-Efficacy of the Children in a Local Children’s center

Study of medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary medical system in riverine areas of Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundThe use of medicinal plants to treat various veterinary illnesses has been practiced for millennia in many civilizations. Punjab is home to a diverse ethnic community, the majority of whom work in dairy farming, agriculture, and allied professions and have indigenous practices of treating animal illnesses using native flora. This study was designed to (1) document and preserve information about the applications of medicinal plant species in ethnoveterinary remedies among inhabitants of Punjab, Pakistan, and (2) identify popular plants for disease treatment by quantitative analysis of the obtained data and to assess the pharmacological relevance of these species.MethodsTo collect data from informants (N = 279), questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used. The ethnoveterinary data were analyzed using principal component analysis, relative frequency citation, fidelity level, relative popularity level, and rank order priority.ResultsA total of 114 plant species utilized in the ethnoveterinary medicinal system were found, which were divided into 56 families and used to treat 16 different illnesses. The Poaceae family, with 16 species, was the most common in the region. The most commonly employed growth form in herbal preparation was herb (49%). The most used part in ethnoveterinary remedies was leaves (35%), while powder was the most commonly used way for preparing ethnoveterinary remedies (51 applications). According to principal component analysis, the most typically used species in the research region were grasses. Five grasses (Arundo donax, Desmostachya bipinnata, Eleusine indica, Hordeum vulgare, and Pennisetum glaucum) showed a 100% FL value when used to treat diuretics, helminthiasis, digestive problems, fever, cough, worm infestation, indigestion, galactagogue, oral infections, and genital prolapse. The maximum value of disease cured level (DCL%) was recorded at 87.6% for endo- and ecto-parasitic ailments in the study area.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that medicinal plants play an important part in satisfying farmers’ animal healthcare demands, making it a feasible practice. The study also provides a wealth of knowledge regarding ethnoveterinary methods for further planning and application, providing an option for farmers who cannot afford allopathic therapy.

A situational analysis of antibiotic prescription, dispensing practices and resistance pattern in Nepal: Are we losing the battle?

Background: Antibiotics are widely utilized to treat infections and provide preventative and therapeutic benefits in animal and human healthcare. However, because of the emergence and spread of resistance mechanisms, which cause bacteria to become less susceptible to antibiotics and other treatments and less effective, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has grown to be one of the most significant worldwide public health concerns. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nepal have a high rate of infectious illnesses and antibiotic resistance, which can lead to both human and financial losses. Methods: The information for the scenario analysis was acquired through a review of published and grey literature, as well as interviews with important stakeholders from all sectors. Conclusion: Besides knowing all the challenges of antibiotic resistance, the programs assuring towards AMR is conducted in Nepal in very infrequent way. The antibiotic use should be optimize by giving various personalized treatment approaches and accurate diagnosis which plays vital roles in minimizing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. We can organize different awareness programs to reduce antibiotic resistance that may enhance the proper use of antibiotic with proper dose and prescription in accordance health care professionals. Interpreting all the problems, government should give more priority to antibiotic resistance and should be able to minimize the problems. If antibiotic resistance is not taken in a very serious way by all the healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, etc. then the battle we are fighting leads to be defeated and problem will never end.

Risk individualisation and moral injury in the treatment of infection as impediments to the tackling of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is subject to extensive risk reduction approaches. A central strategy is reducing the unnecessary use of antimicrobials across agriculture and human and animal health care without jeopardising health outcomes for all species concerned. A prominent framework is antimicrobial stewardship which seeks to balance access to effective infection treatments with ensuring that effective antimicrobials are available for future generations. Balancing these goals has proven challenging and the consumption of antimicrobials and AMR both continue to grow. To shed light on this situation, we examined the risk reasoning that underpins AMR reduction in interviews with 51 practitioners, scientists and policy-makers working on AMR in Australia and the UK. Important themes in our analysis were that action to reduce infection risks clashed with AMR reduction rationalities. Participants were often not able to explain how treating an infection for an individual patient could harmonise with the longer-term goal of AMR reduction. Due to the potential for patient harm, making decisions to use antimicrobials was narrated as individualised and moralised. We argue that more effective AMR reduction depends on addressing this fundamental tension in AMR risk, and its individualising and moralising effects, as the starting point – not the outcome – of policy and practice for AMR reduction.