Abdominal skin temperature of healthy broiler chickens was determined by thermography to estimate the normal range of between- and within-bird temperature variation. Effects of potential confounding factors, such as bird's contention duration, abdominal side, age, and time of day, were also estimated. Mean skin temperature was estimated from thermogram pictures by computer image analysis of a predetermined abdominal area. Results demonstrated that skin temperature was not significantly affected by contention duration. However, skin temperature was higher on the right abdominal side in younger birds and at 1200 h. Between- and within-bird variation in healthy birds was small (< 0.5 degrees C) when age, abdominal side, and time of day were taken into account. This work suggests that skin temperature measurement using thermography can be adapted for the study of skin temperature in broiler chickens.
Several experts have expressed their concerns regarding the potential increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during the COVID-19 pandemic as a consequence of the increase in antimicrobial and biocide use in humans globally. However, the impact of the pandemic on antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR in animals has yet to be discussed and evaluated. Indeed, veterinary practices have been hugely impacted by the pandemic and its restrictive measures around the world. In this perspective, we call for more research to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on AMU and AMR in both humans and animals, as well as on the environment, in coherence with the One Health approach. In addition, we argue that the current pandemic is an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of a One Health approach to tackle the AMR crisis at the global scale. Indeed, the momentum created by the increased general awareness of both the public and decision-makers for the development and maintenance of effective drugs to treat human infections, as well as for the importance of a One Health approach to prevent the emergence of infectious diseases, should be used as a lever to implement global collaborative and sustainable solutions to the complex challenges of AMR.
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