Antibiotics

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20 pages, 2352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Commensal Staphylococcus spp. Isolates from Chickens in Hungarian Poultry Farms Between 2022 and 2023

by Ábel Szabó, Ákos Jerzsele, László Kovács and Ádám Kerek

Antibiotics 2025, 14(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010103 - 17 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1179

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges of our time, urging researchers in both veterinary and public health to engage in collaborative efforts, thereby fostering the One Health approach. Infections caused by Staphylococcus species can not only lead to significant diseases [...] Read more.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges of our time, urging researchers in both veterinary and public health to engage in collaborative efforts, thereby fostering the One Health approach. Infections caused by Staphylococcus species can not only lead to significant diseases in poultry but also pose serious threats to human life, particularly in hospital (nosocomial) infections; therefore, it is crucial to identify their antimicrobial resistance. Methods: Our objective was to assess the susceptibility profile of commensal Staphylococcus aureus strains (n = 227) found in commercial chicken flocks in Hungary through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Results: Based on our findings, resistance to tiamulin (82.8%; 95% CI: 77.4–87.2%) and doxycycline (74.4%; 95% CI: 68.5–79.7%) is the most critical. The 55.1% (95% CI: 48.8–61.3%) resistance rate to enrofloxacin, a critically important antimicrobial, is also concerning. The fact that 58.6% (95% CI: 52.4–64.5%) of the strains were resistant to amoxicillin and 35.7% (95% CI: 29.7–42.1) were resistant to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid suggests that a proportion of the strains produce β-lactamase. Comparing our results with the available human hospital data, it was found that resistance to macrolide antibiotics is similarly high in both cases. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the necessity of conducting regular surveillance studies, which would allow the monitoring of future temporal trends. This information could benefit practitioners making clinical decisions to successfully treat infections. To uncover the underlying causes of multidrug resistance, next-generation sequencing can be employed to elucidate the genetic basis of phenotypic resistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 1583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilience of Loin Meat Microbiota and of Resistance Genes to a Chlortetracycline Treatment in Weaned Piglets

by Xavier C. Monger, Linda Saucier, Alex-An Gilbert, Sophie Gosselin, Éric Pouliot, Sylvain Fournaise and Antony T. Vincent

Antibiotics 2024, 13(10), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13100997 - 21 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1199

Abstract

Objectives: This project studied the impact of a chlortetracycline treatment in weaning piglets on the taxonomy and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) content of the microbiomes on carcasses and loins. Methods: Two groups of piglets from two farrowing barns with either an average or [...] Read more.

Objectives: This project studied the impact of a chlortetracycline treatment in weaning piglets on the taxonomy and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) content of the microbiomes on carcasses and loins. Methods: Two groups of piglets from two farrowing barns with either an average or a lower sanitary health status were used. Each group was divided in half: a control group and a treatment group receiving feed supplemented with 660 g of chlortetracycline per tonne for 21 days. The piglets then went through fattening and were sent to the abattoir when they reached the targeted slaughter weight. Results: The microbiomes of the pig carcasses and loins were sampled, and DNA was extracted and sequenced with a whole-genome approach. The microbiomes of the carcasses differed depending on the farrowing barn source in both taxonomical composition and ARG content; however, the microbiomes on the loins were similar, regardless of the farrowing barn source and the treatment group. Conclusions: While there were differences in the carcass microbiomes between treatments after processing by the abattoir, the loin microbiomes were consistent and unaffected by treatment with chlortetracycline or the sanitary status of the farrowing barn. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 1208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trends in Antimicrobial Usage on Swiss Pig Farms from 2018 to 2021: Based on an Electronic Treatment Journal

by Ramona Wissmann, Dolf Kümmerlen and Thomas Echtermann

Antibiotics 2024, 13(9), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090831 - 2 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 935

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to observe the trends in antimicrobial usage (AMU) from 2018 to 2021 in Swiss pigs based on an electronic treatment journal used nationwide by farmers. Thus, for the first time, standardized, longitudinal comparisons [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to observe the trends in antimicrobial usage (AMU) from 2018 to 2021 in Swiss pigs based on an electronic treatment journal used nationwide by farmers. Thus, for the first time, standardized, longitudinal comparisons of AMU between the years could be analyzed, as well as the influence of targeted interventions, on farms with higher consumption. (2) Methods: The data was evaluated by different indicators, such as the amount of active ingredient in kilograms, treatment days per farm (ATI) and treatment incidence (TI) based either on animal-defined daily doses (TIADD) or used daily doses (TIUDD). Calculations were performed across the following five age categories: suckling piglets, weaners, fattening pigs, and gestating and lactating sows, and the proportions of antimicrobial classes were evaluated for each age category. (3) Results: The highest amount of the active ingredient was administered to the group of fattening pigs, while the suckling piglets received the lowest amount of the active ingredient. In 2021, there was a significant decrease in active ingredient consumption per pig, but a significant increase in ATI, TIADD and TIUDD compared to 2018. The largest proportion of AMU was attributed to penicillins each year, followed by sulfonamides and tetracyclines. The “Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials” represented a proportion of overall usage, declining from 5.2% in 2018 to 3.1% in 2021, while polypeptides were the most used class of critical antimicrobials. Interventions on high-usage farms showed that some farms decreased their AMU in the following year while others did not. (4) Conclusions: This study reveals a decrease in the overall usage measured in kilograms per pig of antimicrobials in Swiss pigs between 2019 and 2021 through the monitoring of AMU, but, at the same time, there was an increase in treatment days or incidence per farm. Critical antimicrobials can be reduced regardless of the indicator. The significance and quality of interventions should be investigated in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiple Drug Resistant Streptococcus Strains—An Actual Problem in Pig Farms in Western Romania

by Luminita Costinar, Corina Badea, Adela Marcu, Corina Pascu and Viorel Herman

Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030277 - 19 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2472

Abstract

Streptococci are a type of bacteria that can cause severe illnesses in humans and animals. Some typical species like S. suis, or atypical species like S. porcinus and, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae, can cause infections like septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis, and [...] Read more.

Streptococci are a type of bacteria that can cause severe illnesses in humans and animals. Some typical species like S. suis, or atypical species like S. porcinus and, S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae, can cause infections like septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis, and septic shock. S. suis is considered a newly emerging zoonotic pathogen. Although human streptococcal infection outbreaks are rare, it is appropriate to review the main streptococcal species isolated in pig farms in western Romania, due to the high degree of antibiotic resistance among most isolates commonly used in human treatment. This study examines the resistance patterns of these isolates over 5 years (2018–2023). The research investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility of 267 strains of Streptococcus spp. isolated from pigs, primarily from lung and brain tissues. This report is the first to describe the distribution of atypical Streptococcus species (SDSE, S. porcinus, S. hyovaginalis, S. pluranimalium, S. canis) in Romania, as well as the antibiotic resistance profile of these potentially zoonotic species. It is important to re-evaluate and consider the high rates of resistance of S. suis to tetracyclines, lincosamides, macrolides, and aminoglycosides, as well as the high recovery rates of S. suis from the lungs and brain when treating swine diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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11 pages, 459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment and Assay Comparison for Detection of Antimicrobial Residues in Freshwater Aquaculture Fish in Erbil Governorate, Iraq

by Dhary Alewy Almashhadany, Abdulwahed Ahmed Hassan, Rzgar Farooq Rashid, Amir Abdulmawjood and Izhar U. H. Khan

Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030225 - 28 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2555

Abstract

The excessive and uncontrolled application of antibiotics in the fish farming industry, coupled with a lack of health monitoring and medication practices, is a driving force behind the escalating development of antimicrobial resistance. The present study assessed and compared qualitative field diffusion (QFD) [...] Read more.

The excessive and uncontrolled application of antibiotics in the fish farming industry, coupled with a lack of health monitoring and medication practices, is a driving force behind the escalating development of antimicrobial resistance. The present study assessed and compared qualitative field diffusion (QFD) and disk diffusion (DD) assays for the detection of antimicrobial residues (ARs) in diverse freshwater aquaculture fish. A total of 380 freshwater aquaculture fish (160 fresh and 180 frozen) samples were systematically collected between January and June 2021 from various retail stores located in Erbil Governorate, Iraq. Based on QFDA results, overall, ARs were detected (52; 15.3%) at a relatively lower frequency with comparatively higher frequency (21; 31.1%) in fresh than (31; 17.2%) frozen fish samples. On the other hand, DDA also revealed a comparable (45; 13.2%) prevalence rate of ARs. However, a low detection was observed more in fresh (17; 10.6%) than frozen (28; 15.6%) fish samples. Moreover, no statistically significant disparity (χ² = 0.069; p = 0.79) between two assays and types of fish was recorded. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that detecting a considerable frequency of ARs in these fish samples raises concerns about potential threats to public health. This underscores the necessity for understanding antibiotic application in aquaculture and its potential connection to antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. Such comprehension is pivotal for formulating and implementing effective control and farm management strategies to address this pressing issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 3024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional-Scale Analysis of Antimicrobial Usage in Smallholder Cattle Herds (Aosta Valley, Italy): Why Surveillance Matters

by Federico Scali, Sandra Ganio, Claudio Roullet, Mauro Ruffier, Stefania Bergagna, Giulia Pagliasso, Claudia Romeo, Nicoletta Formenti, Antonio Marco Maisano, Giovanni Santucci, Matteo Tonni, Federica Guadagno, Francesca Mazza, Flavia Guarneri, Giorgio Bontempi, Loredana Candela and Giovanni Loris Alborali

Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030204 - 22 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1625

Abstract

Optimising antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock is pivotal to counteract the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We analysed AMU in more than 1000 cattle herds over 11 years (2008–2018) in the Aosta Valley (Italy), a region where 80% of farms house less than 50 [...] Read more.

Optimising antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock is pivotal to counteract the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We analysed AMU in more than 1000 cattle herds over 11 years (2008–2018) in the Aosta Valley (Italy), a region where 80% of farms house less than 50 cattle. Dairy cows accounted for over 95% of AMU. AMU was estimated using the defined daily dose animal for Italy (DDDAit) per biomass for the whole herd and a treatment incidence 100 (TI₁₀₀) for cows. Average annual herd-level AMU was low, with 3.6 DDDAit/biomass (range: 3.2–4.0) and 1.2 TI₁₀₀ in cows (range: 1.1–1.3). Third and fourth generation cephalosporins, which are critical for human medicine, represented almost 10% of usage, and intramammary antimicrobials accounted for over 60%. We detected significant downward temporal trends in total AMU, as well as a positive relationship with herd size. The magnitude of such effects was small, leaving scant room for further reduction. However, the frequent use of critical antimicrobials and intramammary products should be addressed, following the principles of prudent AMU. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring AMU even in low-production, smallholding contexts where a low usage is expected, to identify any deficiencies and implement interventions for further AMU optimisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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Review

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19 pages, 1328 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Herd Health to Public Health: Digital Tools for Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Dairy Farms

by Andra-Sabina Neculai-Valeanu, Adina-Mirela Ariton, Ciprian Radu, Ioana Porosnicu, Catalina Sanduleanu and Gabriela Amariții

Antibiotics 2024, 13(7), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13070634 - 9 Jul 2024

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3128

Abstract

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global food security, human health, and the future of livestock production. Higher rates of antimicrobial use in dairy farming and the sheer lack of new antimicrobials available for use focused attention on [...] Read more.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global food security, human health, and the future of livestock production. Higher rates of antimicrobial use in dairy farming and the sheer lack of new antimicrobials available for use focused attention on the question of how the dairy production sector contributed to the development of AMR and paved the path toward taking action to curtail it on the targeted type of farms. This paper aims to provide an introduction to a phenomenon that has gained considerable attention in the recent past due to its ever-increasing impact, the use of antimicrobial drugs, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on dairy farms, and seeks to discuss the possibilities of approaches such as digital health monitoring and precision livestock farming. Using sensors, data, knowledge, automation, etc., digital health monitoring, as well as Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), is expected to enhance health control and minimize disease and antimicrobial usage. The work presents a literature review on the current status and trends of AMR in dairy farms, an understanding of the concept of digital health monitoring and PLF, and the presentation and usefulness of digital health monitoring and PLF in preventing AMR. The study also analyses the strengths and weaknesses of adopting and incorporating digital technologies and artificial intelligence for dairy farming and presents areas for further study and level of use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 236 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evaluation of Surveillance Strategies of Antimicrobial Consumption in Animals

by Carly Ching, Muhammad H. Zaman and Veronika J. Wirtz

Antibiotics 2024, 13(6), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13060505 - 29 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1452

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore and assess various strategies for monitoring antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in animals, within the context of the One Health approach. Recent studies have shed light on the limited surveillance and data collection for AMC in animals. [...] Read more.

The aim of this paper is to explore and assess various strategies for monitoring antimicrobial consumption (AMC) in animals, within the context of the One Health approach. Recent studies have shed light on the limited surveillance and data collection for AMC in animals. Using the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention Policy Analytical Framework, we assess global, national, and farm-level surveillance strategies on public health impact and feasibility using evidence from primary, secondary, and grey literature. From this, we identify key policy mechanisms that support the adoption of surveillance while providing specific recommendations. We find that a global strategy, though valuable for benchmarking and policy guidance, faces participation and data visibility challenges. National-level surveillance offers direct inputs into national action plans but struggles with data uniformity and comparability. Farm-level surveillance, while resource-intensive, provides the most granular data for informing specific interventions. We advocate for a multi-faceted approach to AMC surveillance, emphasizing that legal mandates and financial incentives are crucial for encouraging surveillance participation, along with international cooperation for enhancing participation and data quality. Drawing parallels with public reporting challenges in other sectors can provide valuable lessons on how to address data collection, analysis, and reporting barriers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotics Use in Farms, 2nd Edition)

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