Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry

Abstract

Forewordantimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry Antimicrobials are essential to modern medicine for treating a range of infections in humans and animals. Importantly, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat that presents a serious risk to human and animal health. Inappropriate and/or unrestrained use of antimicrobials in humans and animals exerts a strong selection pressure on microbial populations to evolve resistant traits. As a result, antimicrobials have become less effective over time leading to treatment complications and failures, and increased healthcare costs for people and animals. Resistant organisms spread between people, animals and the environment. Globalisation and international travel facilitates this spread between countries.Here in Australia, the veterinary profession and food-producing animal industries have a long history of addressing AMR. Their previous and ongoing worka result of partnerships across the animal sectorhas resulted in demonstrated low levels of AMR in our food-producing animals. Over the past 5 years, the veterinary profession has consolidated its partnership with industry and government by helping to successfully implement Australia's First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015-19. With the recent release of Australia's National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy -2020 and Beyond (2020 AMR Strategy), the veterinary profession will continue to play a critical role in how we minimise AMR.One of the seven key objectives of the 2020 AMR Strategy relates to appropriate antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial stewardship practices. Resistance to antimicrobials occurs naturally in microorganisms, but it is significantly amplified by antimicrobial overuse, growth promotion use, and poor husbandry and management.The antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry directly addresses the fourth objective of the 2020 AMR Strategy, and in particular, Priority Area for Action 4.1, that seeks to 'ensure that coordinated, evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and best-practice supports are developed and made easily available, and encourage their use by prescribers'. These guidelines for Australian poultry veterinarians are sure to be a ready resource. They have been developed specifically for the Australian poultry industry and contain best-practice prescribing information to help clinical veterinarians in their day-to-day use of antimicrobials. The guidelines encourage veterinarians to first pause and consider the need to use antimicrobials in that circumstance: Are there effective non-antimicrobial alternatives? Prevention and control of infections through strict on-farm biosecurity is a recognised approach to minimising disease entry and the need to use antimicrobials. Vaccination may also be available to control several important poultry diseases. If antimicrobial use is indicated, have you considered the five rights: right drug, right time, right dose, right duration and right route? Using a lower rating or narrow-spectrum antimicrobial i...

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacy Professionals on Poultry Antibiotic Dispensing, Use, and Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in Zambia: Implications on Antibiotic Stewardship and WHO AWaRe Classification of Antibiotics

“…These are among the major factors contributing to the development of AMR [ 42 , 86 , 106 ]. Up-to-date and robust guidelines can also help promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, along with guidance on the dose, time, duration, and route of administration [ 71 , 107 ]. Guidelines should also promote the use of vaccines in poultry disease prevention and the application of disease preventive measures (biosecurity) rather than using antibiotics [ 107 ].…”

“…Up-to-date and robust guidelines can also help promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, along with guidance on the dose, time, duration, and route of administration [ 71 , 107 ]. Guidelines should also promote the use of vaccines in poultry disease prevention and the application of disease preventive measures (biosecurity) rather than using antibiotics [ 107 ]. Alternative strategies could also include the use of prebiotics, probiotics, feed enzymes, synbiotics, and phytogenic feed additives which should be promoted in the poultry sector [ 108 , 109 ].…”

Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance and Associated Factors among Layer Poultry Farmers in Zambia: Implications for Surveillance and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

“…However, their increased use for disease prevention and treatment to sustain improved egg production has contributed to escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [3][4][5][6]. AMR is a global health problem that continues to negatively affect the health of humans and animals [7][8][9]. This phenomenon has continued to burden the healthcare system, leading to prolonged hospital admissions, difficulty in treating infections, increased medical bills and increased morbidity and mortality [10,11].…”

Sporadic bovine encephalopathy caused by Chlamydia pecorum secondary to bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection in calves in South Australia

“…Firstly, the calves were nonresponsive to the commonly used ‘first line’ antibiotic oxytetracycline, so a ‘second line’ product, tulathromycin, was chosen for treatment 17 . Both exposure to ineffective antibiotics, and regular use of higher tier antibiotics present a concern for antimicrobial stewardship locally and globally 17,18 . Secondly, following treatment with tulathromycin, calves appeared to recover from the systemic disease state, but neurological signs persisted.…”