Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials—A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians

Sri, Anna; Bailey, Kirsten E; Gilkerson, James R.; Browning, Glenn F.; Hardefeldt, Laura Y.

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11111589

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(99 reference statements)

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“…The survey documented administration of an extensive range of antimicrobial classes which differs from that used by veterinarians in treating companion or agricultural animal species. The Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG) has rated antimicrobials used in humans, companion, and food production animals, and those used in both, according to their importance in treating infections, and the severity of consequences should resistance emerge or be amplified [49]. Antimicrobial use in the laboratory animal sector is not included within ASTAG reviews [49].…”

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG) has rated antimicrobials used in humans, companion, and food production animals, and those used in both, according to their importance in treating infections, and the severity of consequences should resistance emerge or be amplified [49]. Antimicrobial use in the laboratory animal sector is not included within ASTAG reviews [49]. Tet-On/Tet-Off mice are a commonly used mouse model in which a gene expression system has been inserted in the mouse genome.…”

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Wilcox,

Marenda,

Devlin

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This cross-sectional study surveyed veterinarians and facility managers to characterise the use of antimicrobials in laboratory rodent facilities within Australia and New Zealand. Most facilities (71%) reported routine administration of antimicrobials. The indications for antibiotic use reflected those described in publications and differed significantly to reasons for use in non-laboratory animals. Antimicrobials used include those of critical importance to human health, and access to these drugs is unregulated, as prescription-only classes are ordered through research catalogues, without human or veterinary physician prescriptions.The ways in which antimicrobials are used in Australian and New Zealand rodent facilities are likely contributing to antimicrobial resistance within rodent populations, particularly as they are largely administered in drinking water, risking subtherapeutic dosing. Much antimicrobial use reported is unnecessary and could be replaced with changes to husbandry and handling. The generation of resistance in both pathogenic and commensal microbes may also represent a work health and safety issue for humans working with these animals.Reported disposal of antimicrobials included discharge into wastewater, without inactivation, and some respondents reported disposal of substrate, or soiled bedding, nesting material, and disposable enrichment items, from treated animals and medicated feed into landfill, without prior inactivation. Environmental contamination with resistant microbes and antimicrobials is a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance. As such, significant opportunities exist to implement judicious and responsible use of antimicrobials within research rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand, with a particular focus on instituting aseptic surgery, optimising dosing regimens, and inactivation of medicated water and substrate before disposal.

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Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Wilcox,

Marenda,

Devlin

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Reaching consensus amongst international experts on the use of high importance-rated antimicrobials in animals – a Delphi study

Sri,

Bailey,

Scarborough

et al. 2024

One Health

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Seeking simplicity, navigating complexity: How veterinarians select an antimicrobial drug, dose, and duration for companion animals

Scarborough,

Bailey,

Sri

et al. 2024

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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BackgroundMinimizing harm from antimicrobials requires use of the narrowest spectrum drug, at an effective dose for the minimum effective duration. Many prescribers are not currently following these guidelines. To address suboptimal antimicrobial use, the underlying reasons must be understood.ObjectivesTo identify factors influencing choices of antimicrobial drug, dose, and duration for companion animals.SubjectsTwenty‐two veterinarians treating companion animals in Australia. Diversity of participants was deliberately sought.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted online. Two case studies were discussed, and then a range of broader questions was posed. Transcripts were analyzed thematically, using an inductive approach.ResultsFew participants chose guideline‐concordant management for the case studies. Prescribing choices were influenced by a complex array of factors associated with the clinical case, pet owner, drug, veterinarian, veterinary colleagues, and external factors. Key factors driving broad‐spectrum antimicrobial use included a sense of safety, habit, ease of administering the drug (especially in cats), pharmaceutical marketing, and the self‐perpetuating dispensary cycle. Many participants were concerned about antimicrobial resistance, but insufficiently informed about how to minimize this risk. Several participants believed that longer duration of treatment and ensuring patients finish a predetermined course would decrease the risk of antimicrobial resistance and improve clinical outcomes.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceVeterinarians are engaged with the concept of antimicrobial stewardship, but face numerous practical barriers and require more information. In particular, improved education is needed on enhancing patient safety by minimizing both spectrum of activity and duration of treatment, and dispelling myths about “finishing the course.”

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Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials—A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians

Cited by 4 publications

References 65 publications

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Reaching consensus amongst international experts on the use of high importance-rated antimicrobials in animals – a Delphi study

Seeking simplicity, navigating complexity: How veterinarians select an antimicrobial drug, dose, and duration for companion animals

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