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The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy2020; 75(7); 1671-1680; doi: 10.1093/jac/dkaa104

Indications for the use of highest priority critically important antimicrobials in the veterinary sector.

Abstract: Among the measures taken to preserve the clinical efficacy of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIAs), the WHO has recommended avoiding their use in food-producing animals. Little is known regarding the indications for which different antimicrobial classes are used in animals, even in countries where data on antimicrobial use are available. To outline, in a narrative review, the diseases for which HP-CIAs are used in veterinary medicine, highlighting incongruences with international guidelines and disease conditions where effective alternatives to HP-CIAs are missing. Scientific literature, national reports and expert opinion were used to describe the indications for the use of HP-CIAs in the main food-producing (pigs, cattle and poultry) and companion (horses, dogs and cats) animal species. The most common indications for use of HP-CIAs are enteric and respiratory infections in pigs, cattle and poultry, urogenital infections in dogs and cats and respiratory infections in horses. In some instances, no valid and convenient alternatives to colistin and macrolides are available against certain porcine enteric and bovine respiratory pathogens. Effective, legal and convenient alternatives to HP-CIAs are also lacking for managing common infections in cats, for which oral administration is difficult, Rhodococcus equi infections in horses, some enteric and respiratory infections in poultry and MDR infections in all companion animal species. Future research and stewardship programmes should focus on the disease conditions identified by this review to reduce the use of HP-CIAs in the veterinary sector.
Publication Date: 2020-04-03 PubMed ID: 32240295DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa104Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

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The study reviews the uses of top-priority, critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIAs) in veterinary medicine, focusing on instances where they are used in contravention of international guidelines or where effective substitutes are lacking. Diseases that are commonly treated with HP-CIAs in livestock and pets include intestinal and respiratory infections, urogenital infections, and multi-drug resistant infections.

Introduction and Study Objectives

  • The research explores the applications of high priority, critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIAs) within the field of veterinary medicine.
  • This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the diseases in animals that necessitate the use of HP-CIAs with utmost care.
  • The researchers aim to identify where the use of these drugs contradicts international guidelines and areas where there is a lack of effective alternatives to these antimicrobials.

Research Methodology

  • The research incorporated a narrative review approach and analysed national reports, scientific literature, and expert opinions.
  • It comprehensively studied the usage indications for HP-CIAs in the main food-producing animal species (cattle, pigs, and poultry), and companion animal species (cats, dogs, and horses).

Key Findings

  • Common indications for use of HP-CIAs are found in respiratory and enteric infections in cattle, pigs, and poultry, urogenital infections in cats and dogs, and respiratory ailments in horses.
  • In some cases, no adequate and convenient alternatives to colistin and macrolides are available to treat certain bovine respiratory and porcine enteric pathogens.
  • Effective, legal, and convenient alternatives to HP-CIAs are also deficient for managing common infections in cats where oral administration can be challenging, Rhodococcus equi infections in horses, specific enteric and respiratory infections in poultry, and multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections in all companion animal species.

Recommendations and Conclusion

  • The study suggests future research and stewardship programs should concentrate on the disease conditions identified by this review in order to work towards reducing the use of HP-CIAs in veterinary practice.
  • Accordingly, developing efficient alternatives to these antimicrobials, adhering to the international guidelines and executing effective stewardship programs are key areas that require attention and action.

Cite This Article

APA
Lhermie G, La Ragione RM, Weese JS, Olsen JE, Christensen JP, Guardabassi L. (2020). Indications for the use of highest priority critically important antimicrobials in the veterinary sector. J Antimicrob Chemother, 75(7), 1671-1680. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkaa104

Publication

ISSN: 1460-2091
NlmUniqueID: 7513617
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 7
Pages: 1671-1680

Researcher Affiliations

Lhermie, Guillaume
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
  • IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRA, ENVT, Toulouse, France.
La Ragione, Roberto Marcello
  • Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK.
Weese, J Scott
  • Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Olsen, John Elmerdahl
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Christensen, Jens Peter
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Guardabassi, Luca
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
  • Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkhead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cat Diseases
  • Cats
  • Cattle
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Macrolides
  • Swine

Grant Funding

  • MR/R002762/1 / Medical Research Council

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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