Antimicrobial Usage Monitoring Systems and Stewardship of Antimicrobials in Animal Health: Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

The inappropriate and overuse of antimicrobials, in particular antibiotics, in human and veterinary medicine are classified as the main factors contributing to the emergence of new drug-resistant microorganisms. In animals, antimicrobials are used for different purposes, such as therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, 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 online sale of veterinary antibiotics without a prescription has increased, and data on antimicrobials administrated to pets are limited. These factors 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 and continuous monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial usage in animals are essential to improving antimicrobial stewardship and changing/upgrading these measures on a global scale.

This Special Issue aims to provide authors with the opportunity of publishing 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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