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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(3); 494-505; doi: 10.1111/evj.13587

Antimicrobial prescribing and antimicrobial resistance surveillance in equine practice.

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly serious threat to human and animal health, therefore responsible use of antimicrobials in equine practice is vital. There is a need to have accurate, up to date data on antimicrobial prescribing in equine practice in the UK. Objective: To characterise current antimicrobial prescribing practices by equine veterinarians and to describe surveillance, audit processes and identification of AMR. Methods: Online cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey. Methods: An online questionnaire targeting veterinarians who treat horses in the UK and Europe was distributed. The questionnaire collected data on participants' country of origin, practice policies, prescribing practices including use of high priority critical antimicrobials. Four common clinical case-based scenarios were included to further explore prescribing practice. Responses were compared using both descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 264 veterinarians from Europe (n = 33/264) and the UK (n = 231/264); 87% respondents worked only with horses and 67% worked at premises with hospitalisation facilities. Approximately half of respondents (54.4%) had a written antimicrobial use or stewardship policy within their practice. Over half of respondents did not perform any environmental surveillance (54.2%), audit of clinical infections (53.1%) or audit of infection control (57.1%). Potentiated sulphonamides were cited as the most used antimicrobial, although 44% reported using enrofloxacin in the last year and 66% used 3rd or 4th generation cephalosporins. Prophylactic antimicrobials before clean surgery were frequently/always prescribed by 48% respondents and 24% respondents frequently/always prescribed antimicrobials post-operatively in clean surgery. Conclusions: Potential selection bias of respondents, given individuals volunteered to take part in the survey. Conclusions: Compared with a previous similar study conducted in 2009, overall antimicrobial usage appeared to be declining in clinical scenarios and a greater proportion of practices now have stewardship policies. However, the use of high priority critical antimicrobials is still relatively common in equine practice in the UK and Europe.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-19 PubMed ID: 35575046DOI: 10.1111/evj.13587Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines the use of antimicrobials in horse veterinary practice across the UK and Europe, and its impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The study concludes the overall use of antimicrobials appears to be decreasing, but the use of high-priority critical antimicrobials remains common.

Methodology

  • The research process involved an online cross-sectional survey with a questionnaire targeting veterinarians treating horses in the UK and Europe.
  • The questionnaire gathered information on the participants’ country of origin, their practice policies, and their antimicrobial prescribing practices.
  • The questionnaire also included usage of high-priority critical antimicrobials, and had four common clinical case-based scenarios to further understand prescribing practices.
  • Statistical methods such as descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to compare responses.

Results

  • The survey recorded responses from 264 veterinarians across Europe and the UK, with a majority being sole equine practitioners and practicing in facilities with hospitalization capacities.
  • About 54.4% of respondents reported having a written antimicrobial use or stewardship policy in their practices.
  • A significant percentage of respondents did not undertake environmental surveillance (54.2%), audit of clinical infections (53.1%), or audit of infection control (57.1%).
  • Responses revealed potentiated sulphonamides were the most commonly used antimicrobial, but 44% admitted to using enrofloxacin in the last year and 66% used 3rd or 4th generation cephalosporins.
  • About 48% of respondents usually prescribed prophylactic antimicrobials before clean surgery and 24% frequently prescribed antimicrobials post-operatively in clean surgery.

Conclusion

  • The study posits a potential selection bias as respondents volunteered their participation.
  • Comparatively, the study found that overall antimicrobial usage seemed to be lowering from a similar study conducted in 2009, and more practices now have stewardship policies in place for antimicrobial usage.
  • However, the study also emphasized that the use of high-priority critical antimicrobials remains prevalent within equine practice in the UK and Europe, highlighting a concern for the development and spread of AMR.

Cite This Article

APA
Wilson A, Mair T, Williams N, McGowan C, Pinchbeck G. (2022). Antimicrobial prescribing and antimicrobial resistance surveillance in equine practice. Equine Vet J, 55(3), 494-505. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13587

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 3
Pages: 494-505

Researcher Affiliations

Wilson, Amie
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Mair, Tim
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Kent, UK.
Williams, Nicola
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
McGowan, Catherine
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
Pinchbeck, Gina
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterinarians

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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