Use Of Antimicrobials In Animals Research Articles

Ten-Year Antimicrobial Resistance Trend in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) Isolated from Dogs and Cats Admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Italy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common occurrence in cats and dogs. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance trends helps in the prudent selection of suitable antimicrobial agents. However, there are limited available data on this matter in Italy. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the trends of antimicrobial resistance in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from cats and dogs over ten years (January 2014 to October 2023). Three hundred thirty-nine UPEC strains were isolated from urine samples submitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Torino (Italy). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted for up to 11 classes of antibacterials, categorized into four categories (A, B, C, and D) following the European Medicine Agency guidelines for prudent antimicrobial use in animals. The results reveal a higher resistance towards compounds in categories C and D, while fewer isolates were resistant to antibacterials in categories B and A. Resistance has steadily increased from 2014 to 2019. Starting from 2020, a decline in resistance is evident in all four categories. The reduction is more pronounced for the categories subject to the greatest restrictions under European and national legislation. The change in resistance trend is in line with findings from other European countries and food-production animals in Italy.

Antimicrobial Use in Cats in a University Veterinary Hospital in Central Italy: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Monitoring antimicrobial use is crucial for understanding current prescribing practices. Such information helps in establishing stewardship programs for effectively using antimicrobials and combating resistance to them. Objectives: This study describes how antimicrobials are prescribed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa and compares how the internal medicine and intensive care units differ in their usage of antimicrobials. Methods: The study involved cats that were presented in the units in 2021 and 2022. Antimicrobial prescriptions were obtained via the hospital's management software (OCIROE). Results: In a population of 1164 non-surgical cats with 397 antimicrobials prescribed, the most prescribed ones were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in the internal medicine unit and ampicillin in the intensive care unit. Twenty-five percent of all antimicrobials were Highest-Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials or Antimicrobial Advice Ad Hoc Expert Group Category B. The oral route was the main route of administration in the internal medicine unit, while parenteral was the most common route used in the intensive care unit. Most antimicrobials were prescribed to treat pathologic conditions affecting the urinary (39%), gastroenteric (21%), respiratory (13%), and integumentary (12%) systems. A diagnosis, accurate dosage, and the use of species-approved medications were recorded in the antimicrobial prescriptions. However, only 11% of these prescriptions were supported by antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Conclusions: These results suggest room for improvement, particularly in increasing the use of antimicrobial susceptibility testing to ensure more targeted antimicrobial therapy. Given the importance of antimicrobial resistance and the One Health approach, the study also highlights the need to consider the broader impact of antimicrobial use in animals, including the potential contribution to resistance in bacteria that affect both animal and human health.

Study on knowledge, attitudes and behavioral practices of antimicrobial usage and resistance in animals and humans in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as one of the foremost global public health challenges. While not a new issue, AMR has gained increasing attention due to the rise of multi-resistant pathogenic organisms, leading to higher mortality rates and significant economic burdens. To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Bahir Dar City community regarding human and animal antimicrobial use and AMR, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2023. The study area was selected purposively, and a simple random sampling approach was used to select kebeles, households, and individual participants. A total of 400 participants were enrolled in the study, with 63.25% being male and 31.25% having graduated from secondary school. Additionally, 61.5% of respondents were married, and the majority (46.5%) owned two species of animals. The findings revealed that 48.5% of the participants had moderate knowledge, 57.5% had positive attitudes, and 52.75% demonstrated good practices regarding antimicrobial resistance and usage. Chi-square analysis revealed statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) between respondents’ knowledge level and their educational level, marital status, and position in the house. Attitude level were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with educational level, marital status, occupation, house ownership, and position in the house. Practice level also showed significant association (p < 0.05) with position in the house and occupation. Furthermore, there were significant associations among knowledge, attitude, and practice: knowledge was significantly associated with attitude (χ2 = 209.91, p ≤ 0.001), knowledge with practice (χ2 = 160.43, p ≤ 0.001), and attitude with practice (χ2 = 136.95, p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the study found a moderate level of knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice regarding antimicrobial usage and resistance among participants. It is recommended to promote responsible antimicrobial use across all sectors and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.

Reaching consensus amongst international experts on the use of high importance-rated antimicrobials in animals – a Delphi study

In Australia, antimicrobials are given an importance rating by the Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on antimicrobial resistance. High importance antimicrobials are those essential for the treatment or prevention of infections in humans, where there are few or no treatment alternatives. In this study we consulted with experts from across human and animal health using the Delphi consensus-building process to establish the circumstances under which antimicrobials with high importance to human health could be used in animals in Australia. We used three rounds of online surveys. Group responses were provided to participants in each subsequent round to facilitate convergence of opinion. Consensus was defined as 80 % or more of respondents selecting the same option for a question. By the end of the third round, consensus was achieved on eight items. This included the use of high importance antimicrobials being appropriate if culture and sensitivity testing indicated the organism was resistant to low- and medium-rated antimicrobials that could be used to treat the case. If any high-importance antimicrobials are prescribed for animals there was also agreement that a clear indication for this use and justification for antimicrobial choice must be recorded in the medical history, along with the dose rate, route of administration, the duration and the time point for review of the condition and associated antimicrobial therapy.Appropriateness of use of high importance antimicrobials in critically ill animals where culture and sensitivity results are not available is still undefined. Further work is also required to establish which particular organisation should be notified of the use of high importance antimicrobials not registered for use in animals. The Delphi process was valuable in facilitating consensus amongst international experts from a broad range of health backgrounds and experience.

Proximate Analysis and Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli in Street Vended Ready to Eat Edible Larvae of Rhynchophorus phoenicis in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Rhynchophorus phoenicis, known as the African palm tree larva weevil or edible worm, is a popular edible insect in southern Nigeria and other African countries. These larvae, by-products of oil palm and palm trees, are consumed roasted or boiled and are known for their nutritional and medicinal properties. In Nigeria, they are widely sold along highways in states like Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers, and the upper Cross River basin. Preparation methods include consuming them raw, boiled, fried, smoked, or in stews and soups. Typically, the larvae are washed, skewered, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and grilled. They are juicy and have a taste reminiscent of Torzo or cow intestines. Despite their popularity, edible worms pose safety and health concerns due to contamination and the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in animals and humans has led to the development of resistant microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, which has been increasingly reported in food poisoning outbreaks. There is limited data on the incidence and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli in ready-to-eat foods in Nigeria, prompting this study. The study aimed to determine the proximate composition, occurrence, and antibiotic-resistant pattern of Escherichia coli from edible larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis). Objectives included determining the proximate composition of the larvae, the occurrence of Escherichia coli in them, and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Fifty ready-to-eat food samples of edible larvae were randomly collected from hawkers. These samples, often partially exposed and poorly packaged, were transported to the microbiology laboratory for analysis. Sterilized glassware and media were used, including Nutrient Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) Agar, and Mueller Hinton Agar. Samples were diluted using peptone water, and bacteriological determination involved homogenizing 25 grams of the sample in 225 ml of peptone water, followed by serial dilutions. Aliquots were inoculated on EMB Agar plates, and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and colonies were counted and recorded as colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g). Isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods and biochemical tests. Proximate analysis revealed moisture (35.49%), carbohydrate (6.01%), protein (20.73%), ash (1.25%), lipid (22.3%), and fiber (14.23%) content. Bacterial counts ranged from 8.1 x 10^7 to 6.34 x 10^8 cfu/g, with the highest count at the Checkpoint sample and the lowest at Elele-Alumini. Of the 27 isolates, 15 (55.56%) were confirmed as E. coli, with 18.52% of samples exceeding the acceptable microbiological limit (≥10^7 CFU/g). Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed all isolates resistant to augmentin, penicillin, cephalosporin, and ofloxacin, with 46.67% resistance to sulfamethoxazole and streptomycin.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Rural Communities Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance and Climate Change in Adadle District, Somali Region, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Study.

There is an urgent need for interventions in addressing the rapid and disproportionate impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change (CC) on low- and middle-income countries. Within this context, it is important to understand indigenous knowledge in rural communities, which are highly affected. This study examined knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding AMR and CC in the Adadle district, Somali region, Ethiopia, utilizing mixed methods, including 362 surveys and 12 focus group discussions among rural communities. Findings showed that 39% and 63% of participants were familiar with AMR and CC, respectively. Of those surveyed, 57% attributed AMR to inappropriate antimicrobial use in animals and humans, while CC was often associated with Allah/God. Multivariable analysis indicated that males exhibited superior knowledge and a positive attitude towards AMR and CC. Additionally, individuals aged 26-35 and 36-45 years showed heightened awareness of AMR and CC, respectively. Moreover, participants who were government employees, pastoralists, and business owners showed better knowledge on CC compared to family caretaker. Religious education and households with more than six members were linked to lower AMR knowledge. This study underlines a greater awareness of CC than AMR and highlights gender-based disparities, recommending integrated educational AMR programs targeting different demographics through a One Health lens, actively involving females, and incorporating local beliefs and practices.

Antimicrobial resistance of E. coli strains in ready-to-eat red meat products in Nakuru County, Kenya

The demand for Ready-To-Eat (RTE) meat products is rising especially to the busy urban dwellers. Handling, processing, and selling methods of RTE contaminate them with pathogens. However, there is lack of evidence of the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of the pathogens. In this study, 105 RTE meat products were sampled across Nakuru County and assessed for Escherichia coli load, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and presence of AMR genes. All the sampled meat products were contaminated with coliforms and E. coli but levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) with location of sample collection and type of RTE. Antimicrobial susceptibility test results of 30 E. coli isolates indicated high prevalence of the isolates’ resistance to co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, streptomycin, and ampicillin at 80%, 73%, 67%, and 67%, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was highest towards ciprofloxacin and amikacin at 100% and 80%, respectively. All the 30 E. coli isolates showed 14 different AMR patterns, where each isolate was resistant to at least 2 antibiotics; a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of greater than 0.2. Meat samples collected from one sampling location, Salgaa had the highest number of multi-drug resistant E. coli isolates (88.9%). Molecular identification of AMR genes in four MAR isolates showed that tetA (for tetracycline resistance) and sul1 (for co-trimoxazole resistance) genes were present in all (100.0%) the isolates, while blaTEM (for ampicillin resistance) and strA (for streptomycin) genes were both present in two isolates. The four isolates were not E. coli O157 as confirmed by PCR for the O157 lipopolysaccharide O-antigen synthesis gene rfbE-O157. This study demonstrated the presence of MAR E. coli in RTE red meat products sold in Nakuru County, which is a human and animal public health concern, hence a need to urgently regulate and monitor the use of antimicrobials in animals.

Quality of Data Recording and Antimicrobial Use in a Municipal Veterinary Clinic in Ghana.

The recording of antimicrobial use data is critical for the development of interventions for the containment of antimicrobial resistance. This cross-sectional study assessed whether dissemination activities and recommendations made after an operational research (OR) study in 2021 resulted in better data recording and improved the use of antimicrobials in a rural veterinary clinic. Routinely collected data from treatment record books were compared between 2013 and 2019 (pre-OR) and from July 2021 to April 2023 (post-OR). The most common animals presenting for care in the the pre - and post OR periods were dogs (369 and 206, respectively). Overall, antimicrobial use in animals increased from 53% to 77% between the two periods. Tetracycline was the most commonly used antimicrobial (99%) during the pre-OR period, while Penicillin-Streptomycin was the most commonly used antimicrobial (65%) during the post-OR period. All animals that received care at the clinic were documented in the register during both periods. Whereas the diagnosis was documented in 269 (90%) animals in the post-OR period compared to 242 (47%) in the pre-OR period, the routes and dosages were not adequately recorded during the both periods. Therefore, the quality of data recording was still deficient despite the dissemination and the recommendations made to some key stakeholders. Recommendations are made for a standardized antimicrobial reporting tool, refresher training, and continuous supervisory visits to the clinic.

Analytic and heuristic process for prudent antimicrobial use in animals: What are triggers and how do they work?

The over and misuse of antimicrobials in animal agriculture causes a prevailing crisis for humans, animals, and the environment. From the One Health approach perspective, the formation process of adopting prudent antimicrobial use (AMU), once established, can be used to mitigate this crisis. The study aimed to determine the analytic-based and heuristic-based process that evoked prudent AMU among animal farmers by synthesis of stimulus-organism-response framework and dual-system theory and to explore gender differences on risk-benefit trade-offs. A structural equation model was employed to test the proposed hypotheses with field survey data from 1100 small-scale farmers. The results reveal that for the analytic-based process, social influence, antimicrobial-related threats, and self-efficacy are all salient stimuli having indirect effects on intention via the two organisms of perceived risks and perceived benefits. For heuristic-based process, farmers' altruistic value orientations are positively associated with intention. An interesting fact is that threat awareness has two opposite effects on intention, namely, the suppression effect and the enhancement effect. Moreover, the negative effect of perceived risks on intention is greater among female farmers, compared to male counterparts. These findings provide valuable insights for the forming of theory-based intervention strategies to perfect China's national action plan.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Small Animal Veterinarians on Antimicrobial Use Practices Impacting the Selection of Antimicrobial Resistance in Dogs and Cats in Illinois, United States: A Spatial Epidemiological Approach

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in animals and humans has been associated with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, which has become a global public health concern. Veterinarians' practice locations and their knowledge and opinions on antimicrobial resistance may influence their antimicrobial prescription practices, which could impact the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study used a spatial modeling approach to identify areas where veterinarians are knowledgeable about factors that impact the selection of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, we sought to identify regions with higher- and lower-than-expected response rates to our survey to aid future antimicrobial stewardship efforts. A total of 83 veterinarians who treated dogs and/or cats across 34 different Illinois counties responded to our online survey. Most of the responders (90.9%) considered that insufficient doses or duration of antibiotic treatments contribute the most to the selection of antimicrobial resistance. A high proportion of veterinarians (78.7%) attended educational programs on antimicrobial use and resistance; however, only 46.2% were knowledgeable about the current antimicrobial resistance profiles of prevalent bacteria in their area. A mean knowledge score for each county was calculated based on the responses of veterinarians to the survey questions. Local Moran's I statistic was used to identify counties with high and low knowledge scores. A high knowledge score area in the northeast region and a low knowledge score area in the southeast of Illinois were identified. Using scan statistics with a Poisson model that accounted for the estimated number of veterinarians in a county, a higher-than-expected response rate area was identified in central-east Illinois and a lower-than-expected area in the northeast. This study showed the effectiveness of using geographic analysis and spatial statistics to identify locations where future antimicrobial stewardship programs should focus.

Why Veterinarians (Do Not) Adhere to the Clinical Practice Streptococcus suis in Weaned Pigs Guideline: A Qualitative Study.

The Netherlands has been very successful in the last decade in reducing antimicrobial use in animals. On about a quarter of farms, antimicrobial use in weaned pigs remains relatively high. As Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infections are responsible for a high consumption of antimicrobials, a specific veterinary guideline to control S. suis was developed, but seemed to be poorly adopted by veterinarians. Guided by the theoretical domains framework, the aim of this study was to identify determinants influencing veterinarians' adherence to this guideline. We interviewed 13 pig veterinarians. Interviewees described multiple approaches to managing S. suis problems and adherence to the guideline. Mentioned determinants could be categorized into 12 theoretical domains. The following six domains were mentioned in all interviews: knowledge, skills, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, social influences, and environmental context and resources. The insights derived from this study are relevant for understanding factors influencing veterinarians' adoption of scientific evidence and guidelines and can be used to develop evidence-based implementation strategies for veterinary guidelines.

Scenario planning: An alternative approach to European Commission for combating antimicrobial resistance by 2050

Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major health challenges of the future, but the concrete impact of counteracting measures is still unclear. To study possible outcomes within the European Union, a scenario analysis for the year 2050 was performed on the possible influence of the European Commission (EC). Methods: Scenario planning and development of strategies based on different scenarios. Results: Rational use of antimicrobials in animals and humans, surveillance and monitoring, new antimicrobial therapies, travel and globalization, exposure to the environment, and awareness were recognized as the main driving elements. Four Scenarios were developed: An efficient and impli-cated EC sorts out AMR; An implicated but unsuccessful EC withstands AMR; AMR is managed regardless of the EC disinterest; and A neutral and inefficient EC fails to manage AMR. Conclusion: All the strategies developed on the basis of the four scenarios probe for an increase in European Union's dedication to achieve positive outcomes. These include the development of effective legislation and international coordination. Acknowledgment: Peter Schröder-Bäck, Helmut Brand and Kiranjeet Kaur’s contribution is co-funded through a grant of the European Commission within the Erasmus+ programme (Project: Prevent it. Project reference: 598515-EPP-1-2018-1-IN-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP). Conflict of interests: None declared.

Current Status of Antimicrobial Use in Animals

Antimicrobials are used for preventing and treating infectious diseases in animals and humans. In animals they are also commonly used to improve productivity and welfare. The overuse or misuse of antimicrobials can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which can have serious implications on both human and animal health. It is important to increase AMR awareness and coordinated surveillance at the global, continental, and national levels to quantify antimicrobial usage and monitor AMR spread. This will help to formulate better and effective strategies and policies for the judicious use of antimicrobials and combat AMR.

Evaluating the OH-EpiCap tool using the Danish integrated surveillance program for AMU and AMR as a case study.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered a One Health (OH) challenge, ideally demanding concerted efforts from the animal, human and environmental side. DANMAP, the Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Program, is monitoring AMR and antimicrobial use in animals and humans. OH-EpiCap is an evaluation tool, developed to address essential elements in OH surveillance systems, such as the dimensions of the organization, operational activities and the impact of the surveillance activities. We aimed to evaluate DANMAP using OH-EpiCap and hereby assessed the suitability of OH-EpiCap to evaluate integrated AMR surveillance systems. During the evaluation, the strengths and weaknesses of DANMAP concerning the "OH-ness" of the program were discussed. Furthermore, possible adaptations of the standard operating procedures and governance structure were addressed. Attention was paid to the ability and easiness of DANMAP to cope with current and future challenges connected to integrated AMR surveillance. It was concluded that DANMAP has a strong OH approach covering relevant aspects for humans and animals, whereas environmental aspects are missing. OH-EpiCap proved to be straightforward to use and provided valuable insights. The authors recommend OH-EpiCap to be used by health authorities and stakeholders. It is not suitable for the technical evaluation of a surveillance program.

Antimicrobial use in animals: a journey towards integrated surveillance.

In 2015, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) initiated the annual collection of data on antimicrobials intended for use in animals using a Microsoft Excel questionnaire. In 2022, WOAH initiated the migration to a customised interactive online system: ANIMUSE Global Database. This system enables national Veterinary Services not only to monitor and report data more easily and more accurately, but also to visualise, analyse and use data for surveillance purposes to their own benefit in the implementation of national action plans on antimicrobial resistance. This journey started seven years ago, with progressive improvements in the way data are collected, analysed and reported and continuous adaptations to overcome various challenges encountered (e.g. data confidentiality, training of civil servants, calculation of active ingredients, standardisation to enable fair comparisons and trend analyses, and data interoperability). Technical developments have been key in the success of this endeavour. However, it is important not to underestimate the importance of the human element: to listen to WOAH Members and their needs, and to exchange to solve issues, adapt tools, and gain and maintain trust. The journey is not over yet, and more developments are foreseen, such as to complement current data sources with data collected directly at the farm level; strengthen interoperability and integrated analysis with cross-sectoral databases; and facilitate institutionalisation of data collection and systematic use in monitoring, evaluation, lesson learning, reporting and, eventually, surveillance of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance when implementing and updating national action plans. This paper describes how all these challenges were overcome and how future challenges will be addressed.

Biosecurity and antimicrobial use in broiler farms across nine European countries: toward identifying farm-specific options for reducing antimicrobial usage.

Broiler chickens are among the main livestock sectors worldwide. With individual treatments being inapplicable, contrary to many other animal species, the need for antimicrobial use (AMU) is relatively high. AMU in animals is known to drive the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). High farm biosecurity is a cornerstone for animal health and welfare, as well as food safety, as it protects animals from the introduction and spread of pathogens and therefore the need for AMU. The goal of this study was to identify the main biosecurity practices associated with AMU in broiler farms and to develop a statistical model that produces customised recommendations as to which biosecurity measures could be implemented on a farm to reduce its AMU, including a cost-effectiveness analysis of the recommended measures. AMU and biosecurity data were obtained cross-sectionally in 2014 from 181 broiler farms across nine European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain). Using mixed-effects random forest analysis (Mix-RF), recursive feature elimination was implemented to determine the biosecurity measures that best predicted AMU at the farm level. Subsequently, an algorithm was developed to generate AMU reduction scenarios based on the implementation of these measures. In the final Mix-RF model, 21 factors were present: 10 about internal biosecurity, 8 about external biosecurity and 3 about farm size and productivity, with the latter showing the largest (Gini) importance. Other AMU predictors, in order of importance, were the number of depopulation steps, compliance with a vaccination protocol for non-officially controlled diseases, and requiring visitors to check in before entering the farm. K-means clustering on the proximity matrix of the final Mix-RF model revealed that several measures interacted with each other, indicating that high AMU levels can arise for various reasons depending on the situation. The algorithm utilised the AMU predictive power of biosecurity measures while accounting also for their interactions, representing a first step toward aiding the decision-making process of veterinarians and farmers who are in need of implementing on-farm biosecurity measures to reduce their AMU.

Antimicrobial, Multi-Drug and Colistin Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in Healthy Pigs in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study.

There is little published information on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals in Ghana. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with AMR, multi-drug resistance (MDR-resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) and colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in healthy pigs in Accra, Ghana. Rectal swabs obtained from the pigs on 20 farms from January to March 2022, were examined for Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae. AMR was determined using standard microbiological techniques and the mcr-1 gene detected through molecular analysis. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 197 of 200 pigs: these comprised 195 E. coli isolates, 38 Enterobacter spp. and 3 K. pneumoniae, either singly or combined. Over 60% of E. coli were resistant to tetracycline, with 27% and 34% being resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ampicillin, respectively; 23% of E. coli and 5% of Enterobacter spp. exhibited MDR phenotypes. Phenotypic colistin resistance was found in 8% of E. coli and Enterobacter spp., with the mcr-1 gene detected in half. Our study findings should be incorporated into on-going AMR, MDR and colistin resistance surveillance programs in Ghana. We further advocate for tailored-specific education for pig farmers on animal antimicrobial use and for strengthened regulatory policy on antimicrobial usage and monitoring in the animal production industry.

Nordic Vets against AMR-An Initiative to Share and Promote Good Practices in the Nordic-Baltic Region.

In the Nordic countries, antimicrobial use in animals and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance are among the lowest in Europe. The network “Nordic Vets Against AMR” organized a meeting in 2021, with key actors including representatives from universities, veterinary authorities and veterinary organizations in Finland, Norway and Sweden. This paper reflects the most important discussions on education, research, policy and future perspectives, including the experiences of these countries. It concludes that Nordic veterinarians are well placed to lead the way in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and that the sharing of experiences can support colleagues in other countries. Veterinary education must go hand in hand with research activities and continuously updated guidelines and legislation. There is also a need for postgraduate training on antimicrobial resistance and prudent antimicrobial use. The veterinary profession must, by any means necessary, protect the efficiency of antimicrobials for the sake of animal health, animal welfare and productivity, as well as public health. While restrictive use of antimicrobials is crucial, the ability of veterinarians to use this medical tool is also important for the sake of animal welfare and global food security.

2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines.

2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines.

PREVALENCE OF ANTIMICROBIAL-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM IN COMMERCIAL CATTLE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

The use of antimicrobials in animals is broader compared to humans, which can influence the increase in microbial resistance. This study was a systematic review which determined the prevalence of resistant Enterococcus faecium in commercial cattle. Eighteen studies were included, mainly carried out in European countries (n= 9) and in the production (n= 11) and retail (n= 7) environments. The main material used in the detection of the microorganism was milk. The mean prevalence of resistant E. faecium in cattle was 4.3% (95% CI= 2.8–5.0%), but the prevalence in Asia was higher [25.4% (95% CI= 20.5-30.6%)]. There was a higher prevalence in samples from retail (13.7%; 95% CI= 11.5-16.1%) and collected mainly from equipment surfaces (12.5%; 95% CI= 5.5-26.1%) than in the others tested samples. Antibiotics frequently tested were vancomycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin, with resistance percentages of 50%, 59%, 79%, and 94%, respectively. These results reinforce the need to plan interventions to reduce antimicrobials in food-producing animals.