Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms isolated from animals

The investigation of antimicrobial resistance of pathogens isolated from animals was carried out during 2005-2009 by scientists of Estonian University of Life Sciences and was financed by Estonian Ministry of Agriculture. The aim of the investigation was to get an overview of the resistance situation in Estonia and according to the results work out national guidelines for prudent use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. The investigation includes clinical mastitis pathogens, E.coli and Salmonella isolated from clinically ill swine and bovine, Salmonella isolated from food products of animal origin and indicator bacteriae from clinically healthy animals. Antimicrobial resistance of several pathogens shows tendency to increase. Wide and irrational use of different antibiotic treatments could be the reason for that. It is necessary to continue the investigation in order to follow trends of the resistance and to work out the appropriate measures to minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance in veterinary field