Presence of Antimicrobials in Postrace Samples in Japanese Thoroughbred Racing.
Abstract: Ever since 'One Health' concept was introduced in early 2000s, judicious use of antimicrobials by veterinarians has become an issue of great concern. Recently, findings of anti-inflammatory effects in certain types of antimicrobials have raised a subject for discussion among racing authorities. Regulatory framework of antimicrobials in racing should be based on best interest of horse welfare and doping control perspective, but basic data on prevalence of antimicrobials are lacking. Analysis of 100 postrace urinary samples collected from 10 Japanese racecourses by targeting 21 antimicrobials using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry resulted in detection of ceftiofur, cefalotin, cefalotin metabolite, dihydrostreptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and oxytetracycline. Detection of antimicrobials critically important for resistance in human medicine was limited to a single sample. Oxytetracycline, which is known to possess anti-inflammatory effects, was detected in three samples. This may suggest the need for establishing a regulatory framework from doping control perspective and further studies to clarify pharmacologically relevant concentration of antimicrobials with such properties.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-05-12 PubMed ID: 32684260DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103115Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the presence of antimicrobials in 100 postrace horse urine samples collected from ten Japanese racecourses using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Among the 21 targeted antimicrobials, seven were detected, with an emphasis on the potential anti-inflammatory effects of oxytetracycline, signalling a need for regulatory measures and continued research.
Background
- Antimicrobials are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in humans, animals, and plants.
- Recently, research has found that some types of antimicrobials also have anti-inflammatory effects which is a concern for authorities in horse racing as it can potentially be seen as a form of doping to enhance performance.
- The use of antimicrobials in veterinarians has been questioned since the introduction of the ‘One Health’ concept which advocates for the integration of human, animal, and environmental health for a holistic understanding of health risks and diseases.
- There is a need for a regulatory framework for the use of antimicrobials in horse racing to ensure horse welfare and fair play.
Methodology
- The team analyzed 100 postrace urinary samples from horses collected from 10 different Japanese racecourses.
- They targeted 21 different antimicrobials and used a technique called ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to detect them.
Results
- Seven of the 21 targeted antimicrobials were detected in the samples. These include ceftiofur, cefalotin, cefalotin metabolite, dihydrostreptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and oxytetracycline.
- The study only found limited instances of antimicrobials that are critically important for resistance in human medicine, with only one sample showing evidence of such a substance.
- Oxytetracycline, which is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, was found in three samples.
Implications
- The detection of antimicrobials suggests a possible misuse in horse racing either for their antibacterial effects, or possibly for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
- The presence of oxytetracycline in samples suggests the need for better regulations to control doping in horse racing.
- Further studies are required to identify the pharmacologically relevant concentration of antimicrobials with such properties in horse racing.
Cite This Article
APA
Mizobe F, Mori M, Nagata SI, Yamashita S, Okada J, Kusano K.
(2020).
Presence of Antimicrobials in Postrace Samples in Japanese Thoroughbred Racing.
J Equine Vet Sci, 91, 103115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103115 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Racehorse Hospital, Miho Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Ibaraki, Japan. Electronic address: Fumiaki_Mizobe@jra.go.jp.
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan.
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan.
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan.
- Racehorse Hospital, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Shiga, Japan.
- Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, Tokyo, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
- Chromatography, Liquid / veterinary
- Doping in Sports
- Horses
- Japan
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Sato W, Sukmawinata E, Uemura R, Kanda T, Kusano K, Kambayashi Y, Sato T, Ishikawa Y, Toya R, Sueyoshi M. Antimicrobial resistance profiles and phylogenetic groups of Escherichia coli isolated from healthy Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. J Equine Sci 2020;31(4):85-91.
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