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Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal System and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 9635

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Dr. Carla Miranda

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1. Department of Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences, Advanced Polytechnic and University Cooperative CRL (CESPU CRL), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
2. Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV-REQUIMTE), University NOVA of Lisboa, Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
3. Toxicology Research Unit (TOXRUN), University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
Interests: microbiology; One Health; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobials; microbial genetics; virology; infectious diseases
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Dear Colleagues,

Inappropriate and overuse of antimicrobials, in particular antibiotics, in human and veterinary medicine are classified as the main key factor for the emergence of new drug-resistant microorganisms. In animals, antimicrobials are used for different purposes, such as therapeutic and prophylactic, to maintain performance and animal welfare. Although a variety of multidisciplinary measures have been implemented to mitigate animal antimicrobial usage, it is estimated that the amount of antibiotic consumption will double between 2010 and 2030 in livestock production. On the other hand, the sale online of veterinary antibiotics without a prescription trend increased, and data on antimicrobial administrated on pets are limited. These factors can contribute to increasing the presence of microorganisms with resistance genes in animals. Consequently, resistance from pets and food-producing animals can be transmitted to humans by close contact or the food chain, as well as to the environment. The identification of the gap in control and register systems, as well as continuous monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial usage in animals are essential to improve antimicrobial stewardship and change/upgrade the measures on a global scale.

This Special Issue aims to provide the opportunity to publish original research papers and reviews on antimicrobial usage, evaluating the impact on animal health, including the design and implementation of programs, measures and research, cross-sectional survey design, and implications in tackling antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Carla Miranda
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

antibiotic use
antimicrobials
antimicrobial resistance
livestock
pets
One Health

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

0 pages, 2162 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of the Impact of an OPEN Stewardship Generated Feedback Intervention on Antibiotic Prescribing among Primary Care Veterinarians in Canada and Israel

by Kamal R. Acharya, Adar Cohen, Gabrielle Brankston, Jean-Paul R. Soucy, Anette Hulth, Sonja Löfmark, John S. Brownstein, Nadav Davidovich, Moriah E. Ellen, David N. Fisman, Jacob Moran-Gilad, Amir Steinman, Derek R. MacFadden and Amy L. Greer

Animals 2024, 14(4), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040626 - 16 Feb 2024

Viewed by 578

Abstract

An interrupted time-series study design was implemented to evaluate the impact of antibiotic stewardship interventions on antibiotic prescribing among veterinarians. A total of 41 veterinarians were enrolled in Canada and Israel and their prescribing data between 2019 and 2021 were obtained. As an intervention, veterinarians periodically received three feedback reports comprising feedback on the participants’ antibiotic prescribing and prescribing guidelines. A change in the level and trend of antibiotic prescribing after the administration of the intervention was compared using a multi-level generalized linear mixed-effect negative-binomial model. After the receipt of the first (incidence rate ratios [IRR] = 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79, 0.98), and second (IRR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97) feedback reports, there was a reduced prescribing rate of total antibiotic when other parameters were held constant. This decline was more pronounced among Israeli veterinarians compared to Canadian veterinarians. When other parameters were held constant, the prescribing of critical antibiotics by Canadian veterinarians decreased by a factor of 0.39 compared to that of Israeli veterinarians. Evidently, antibiotic stewardship interventions can improve antibiotic prescribing in a veterinary setting. The strategy to sustain the effect of feedback reports and the determinants of differences between the two cohorts should be further explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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12 pages, 1328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Use in On-Farm Hatching Systems vs. Traditional Hatching Systems: A Case Study

by Julia G. Jerab, Ilias Chantziaras, Tommy Van Limbergen, Johan Van Erum, Filip Boel, Erik Hoeven and Jeroen Dewulf

Animals 2023, 13(20), 3270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13203270 - 19 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1331

Abstract

On-farm hatching is a relatively new method in the broiler industry, in which fertilized broiler eggs are transported to the farms at the stage of 17–19 days of incubation. Once hatched, the broiler chicks have direct access to feed and water. Previous studies have shown on-farm hatching to increase animal welfare and intestinal development. However, no studies have yet aimed to quantify and compare the antimicrobial use in on-farm hatched flocks with that of traditionally hatched flocks. In this study, information on antimicrobial use (AMU) was collected from 211 Belgian conventional broiler farms, including data from 2244 traditionally hatched flocks and 227 on-farm (NestBorn) hatched flocks. On-farm hatched flocks had significantly (p < 0.001) more antimicrobial-free flocks (n = 109, 48.01%) compared to traditional flocks (n = 271, 12.08%) and a 44% lower (p < 0.01) treatment incidence (TI) at flock level (TI 8.40 vs. TI 15.13). Overall, the farms using traditional hatching had 5.6 times (95% CI 3.6–8.7) higher odds to use antimicrobials than the farms using on-farm hatching. Treated on-farm hatched flocks received three times less lincomycin-spectinomycin (linco-spectin) and less (routine) treatments at the start of the production round. However, both traditional and on-farm flocks experienced outbreaks later in the production round. These results show that on-farm hatching can contribute to the reduction in antimicrobial use in conventional broiler production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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18 pages, 4136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extraintestinal E. coli Populations Pre- and Post-Antimicrobial Therapy on Broilers Affected by Colisepticemia

by Frédérique Pasquali, Cecilia Crippa, Antonio Parisi, Alex Lucchi, Lucia Gambi, Alessandra Merlotti, Daniel Remondini, Maurizio Stonfer and Gerardo Manfreda

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2590; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162590 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 811

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of E. coli during enrofloxacin therapy in broilers affected by colisepticemia. Three unrelated farms with ongoing colibacillosis outbreaks were sampled at day 1 before treatment and at days 5, 10 and 24 post-treatment. A total of 179 E. coli isolates were collected from extraintestinal organs and submitted to serotyping, PFGE and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against enrofloxacin. PFGE clusters shifted from 3–6 at D1 to 10–16 at D5, D10 and D24, suggesting an increased population diversity after the treatment. The majority of strains belonged to NT or O78 and to ST117 or ST23. PFGE results were confirmed with SNP calling: no persistent isolates were identified. An increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones in E. coli isolates was observed along the treatment. Resistome analyses revealed qnrB19 and qnrS1 genes along with mutations in the gyrA, parC and parE genes. Interestingly, despite a fluoroquinolone selective pressure, qnr-carrying plasmids did not persist. On the contrary, two conjugative AMR plasmid clusters (AB233 and AA474) harboring AMR genes other than qnr were persistent since they were identified in both D1 and D10 genomes in two farms. Further studies should be performed in order to confirm plasmid persistence not associated (in vivo) to antimicrobial selective pressure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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12 pages, 477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Antibiotic-Resistant and Virulence Genes of Enterococcus Detected in Calf Colostrum—One Health Perspective

by Sandra Cunha, Carla Miranda, Ângela Martins, Rúben Soares, Manuel Maia, Filipe Silva, Gilberto Igrejas and Patrícia Poeta

Animals 2023, 13(12), 1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121900 - 07 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Enterococci are considered among the most prevalent global multidrug-resistant microorganisms globally. Their dissemination is a global concern, particularly by food-producing animals for both animals and humans. The aim of this study was to identify the species and investigate the antibiotic resistance and virulence profile of Enterococcus in bovine colostrum. Out of 88 presumptive Enterococcus isolates, species identification and susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials were tested using the disk diffusion method. An analysis of the antibiotic resistance and virulence genes was performed on the most prevalent species, using specific PCR assays. Enterococcus faecalis (54.5%), E. faecium (14.8%) and E. gallinarum (6.8%) were the identified species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. gallinarum in bovine colostrum. The majority of the isolates showed resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin (95.9%), erythromycin (80.7%), tetracycline (80.7%) and streptomycin (58%). Ninety-two percent of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. The most frequently detected resistance genes were tet(K) (61.1%), tet(M) (75.9%), tet(L) (90.7%), erm(B) (55.6%) and ant(6)-Ia (46.3%). The most prevalent virulence factors were cpd, esp, agg and cylL_L. Enterococcus faecium showed a higher probability of carrying the erm(C), tet(M), ace and gel(E) genes (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that colostrum can constitute an important reservoir and vehicle for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes to the three niches included in a One Health perspective (humans, animals and the environment), highlighting the importance of hygiene sanitary measures to mitigate colostrum microbial contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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10 pages, 551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic Resistance of Enterococcus Species in Ornamental Animal Feed

by Rúben Soares, Carla Miranda, Sandra Cunha, Luís Ferreira, Ângela Martins, Gilberto Igrejas and Patrícia Poeta

Animals 2023, 13(11), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111761 - 26 May 2023

Viewed by 1361

Abstract

Enterococcus is a bacterial genus that is strongly associated with nosocomial infections and has a high capacity to transfer and acquire resistance genes. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the presence of Enterococcus species in ornamental animal feed and characterize their antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using 14 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method, complemented by genotypic analysis to identify Enterococcus species and the presence of 14 antimicrobial resistance and 10 virulence genes. From 57 samples of ornamental animal feed, 103 Enterococcus isolates were recovered from 15 bird, 9 fish and 4 reptile feed samples. Enterococcus isolates were highly resistance to rifampicin (78%) and erythromycin (48%), and 48% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. Enterococcus faecalis (36.7%) and E. faecium (31.7%) were the species most frequently identified. Most isolates carried the resistance genes ermB (57%) and tetL (52%) and the virulence genes, cylL (52%) and esp (40%). Enterococcus gallinarum was the species with the highest number of multidrug-resistant isolates (50%) and virulence genes (80%). These results highlight the high levels of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. present in ornamental animal feed and the growing interaction of these animals with humans as a public health concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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11 pages, 4359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trend of Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals from 2018 to 2020 in Nepal

by Nabin Upadhyaya, Surendra Karki, Sujan Rana, Ibrahim Elsohaby, Ramanandan Tiwari, Manoj Oli and Surya Paudel

Animals 2023, 13(8), 1377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081377 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2350

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem and is primarily driven by the widespread overuse of antibiotics. However, antimicrobial use data in animals are not readily available due to the absence of a national database in many developing countries, including Nepal. This study was conducted to estimate the quantities of antimicrobials available in Nepal as an indicator of their use in food-producing animals between 2018 and 2020. Data were collected through surveys targeting major stakeholders: (i) the Department of Drug Administration (DDA), the Government of Nepal (GoN) for the authorized antimicrobials for veterinary use in Nepal, (ii) veterinary pharmaceuticals for antimicrobials produced in Nepal, (iii) the DDA and Veterinary Importers Association for antimicrobials bought by veterinary drug importers, and (iv) the Department of Customs, GoN, for antibiotics sourced through customs. Data showed that in the 3 years, a total of 96 trade names, comprising 35 genera of antibiotics representing 10 classes, were either produced or imported in Nepal. In total, 91,088 kg, 47,694 kg, and 45,671 kg of active ingredients of antimicrobials were available in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. None of the antibiotics were intended for growth promotion, but were primarily for therapeutic purposes. Oxytetracycline, tilmicosin, and sulfadimidine were among the most-used antibiotics in Nepal in 2020. Oxytetracycline was primarily intended for parenteral application, whereas tilmicosin was solely for oral use. Sulfadimidine was available for oral use, except for a small proportion for injection purposes. Aminoglycosides, fluroquinolones, nitrofurans, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines were mostly produced locally, whereas cephalosporins, macrolides and “other” classes of antimicrobials were imported. Amphenicols and penicillins were exclusively imported and nitrofurans were produced locally only. In general, except for tetracyclines, the volume of antimicrobials produced locally and/or imported in 2020 was lower than that in 2018, which corresponded to a decreasing trend in total antimicrobials available. Furthermore, the subsequent years have seen a decrease in the use of critically important antibiotics, particularly class I antibiotics. Finally, this study has firstly established a benchmark for future monitoring of antimicrobial usage in food-producing animals in Nepal. These data are useful for risk analysis, planning, interpreting resistance surveillance data, and evaluating the effectiveness of prudent use, efforts, and mitigation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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14 pages, 1919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Acidulants to Control Salmonella spp. in Rendered Animal Fats and Oils with Different Levels of Unsaturation

by Janak Dhakal and Charles G. Aldrich

Animals 2023, 13(8), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081304 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1325

Abstract

Salmonella-contaminated pet foods could potentially become a source of human salmonellosis. This study evaluated the survival of Salmonella without and with the addition of acidulants in different fat types (chicken fat (CF), canola oil (CO), Menhaden fish oil (FO), lard (La), and tallow (Ta)) commonly used to coat dry pet food kibbles. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of individual acidulants and the combination were determined using the broth microdilution method. Autoclave-sterilized rendered fats were treated with pre-determined concentrations of antimicrobial acidulants (0.5% sodium bisulfate (SBS), 0.5% phosphoric acid (PA), 0.25% lactic acid (LA), etc.) and incubated overnight at 45 °C. The treated fats were inoculated with approximately eight logs of a Salmonella cocktail. Microbiological analyses were conducted separately for the fat-phase and water-phase at predetermined time intervals (0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h) by plating them onto TSA plates. After incubating at 37 °C for 24 h, the plate count results were expressed as log CFU/mL. The MIC of SBS was 0.3125%, and of PA and LA were both 0.1953% against cocktail Salmonella serotypes. We observed a possible synergistic effect when SBS and organic acid were combined. All the acidulant tested at targeted concentrations individually as well as in combination with organic acids were highly effective against Salmonella spp. (non-detectable within 2 h) across different fat types. A potent anti-bactericidal effect leading to non-detectable Salmonella immediately (<1 h) at 45 °C was observed in the aqueous phase of the fish oil system, even without the addition of acidulants. These findings are significant for the dry pet food industries, where potential post-processing contamination of Salmonella could be controlled by treating fats and oils with acidulants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health)

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