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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(3); doi: 10.3390/ani14030457

Antimicrobial Prescription Behavior in Equine Asthma Cases: An International Survey.

Abstract: Equine asthma is considered a non-infectious respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and hypersensitivity. Given the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, an international survey was designed to investigate the use of antimicrobials in asthmatic horses and the factors influencing prescription behavior. An online survey was distributed in six languages by international mailing lists and social media from December 2020 to January 2022. Of the 434 responses recorded, 249 veterinarians working in 25 countries finished the survey. These included 79 ECEIM/ACVIM diplomats. A total of 204 respondents confirmed national regulations concerning antimicrobial use in their country. Knowledge of the asthma definitions as presented in the revised ACVIM consensus statement was greater in veterinarians treating over 95% of equine patients compared to veterinarians treating more species, based on 10 questions (answers consistent with the consensus statement in 7 (IQR 5-9) and 4 (IQR 3-6) questions, respectively, (p < 0.001)). A total of 131 respondents stated to use antimicrobials (at least 'sometimes') in at least one of the three presented cases consistent with equine asthma. Trimethoprim-Sulfa combinations, penicillin(s), and tetracyclines were prescribed most (by 105, 53 and 38 veterinarians, respectively). Aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were also selected (22, 15, 9 veterinarians respectively). Tetracyclines and cephalosporins are prescribed more often by veterinarians working without national regulations (p 0.019 and p 0.035, respectively). The most selected factors influencing prescription behavior were: 'tracheal wash culture' (62% of 131 veterinarians using antimicrobials in these cases), 'whether other horses in the barn have similar complaints' (60%), and 'response to other forms of therapy' (53%). In conclusion, insight into prescription behavior is the first step towards minimizing and optimizing antimicrobial use.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-30 PubMed ID: 38338101PubMed Central: PMC10854497DOI: 10.3390/ani14030457Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Equine respiratory illness similar to human asthma is typically non-infectious, yet a global survey found that vets in 25 countries still often prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Understanding why can help minimize antibiotic misuse and contribute to antimicrobial steward—vital given the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections.

Survey Methodology

  • The researchers designed an online survey to investigate antibiotic use in horses diagnosed with the equivalent of human asthma.
  • The questionnaire was available in six languages and was circulated internationally using email lists and social media.
  • The survey was active from December 2020 to January 2022.
  • Out of the 434 responses they received, 249 complete ones were from vets working in 25 different countries.
  • Some respondents (79) were Diplomats of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine or American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Survey Findings

  • 204 veterinarians confirmed that their countries have national regulations regarding the use of antibiotics.
  • Veterinarians dealing almost exclusively with horses were more familiar with the revised definitions of equine asthma provided in the consensus statement by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • Despite equine asthma being typically a non-infectious disease, the survey showed that 131 vets administered antibiotics to treat it at least ‘sometimes’.
  • The antibiotics generally prescribed included Trimethoprim-Sulfa combinations, penicillin, and tetracyclines. Some vets also selected aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones.
  • Veterinarians in countries without antibiotics regulations more frequently prescribed tetracyclines and cephalosporins.
  • The most common factors influencing the prescription behavior were tracheal wash culture results, whether other horses in the barn showed similar symptoms, and response to other treatments.

Conclusion

  • Understanding veterinarians’ prescription behaviors is the first step in minimizing inappropriate antibiotic use and promoting good antimicrobial stewardship.
  • Addressing this issue is crucial to fight the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in both human and veterinary healthcare.

Cite This Article

APA
van den Brom-Spierenburg AJ, Mureșan AN, Westermann CM. (2024). Antimicrobial Prescription Behavior in Equine Asthma Cases: An International Survey. Animals (Basel), 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030457

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 3

Researcher Affiliations

van den Brom-Spierenburg, Astrid J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Mureșan, Alexandra N
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Westermann, Cornélie M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Pereira AF, de Rago L, Pinho JO, Plácido AI, Figueiras A, Roque F, Herdeiro MT, Coelho AC, Oliveira PA. Veterinarians' attitudes, knowledge, and practices about antibiotic use in animals: questionnaire design and reliability. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1754010.
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