Monitoring of Farm-Level Antimicrobial Use to Guide Stewardship: Overview of Existing Systems and Analysis of Key Components and Processes

peer-reviewedThe acknowledgment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major health challenge in humans, animals and plants, has led to increased efforts to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU). To better understand factors influencing AMR and implement and evaluate stewardship measures for reducing AMU, it is important to have sufficiently detailed information on the quantity of AMU, preferably at the level of the user (farmer, veterinarian) and/or prescriber or provider (veterinarian, feed mill). Recently, several countries have established or are developing systems for monitoring AMU in animals. The aim of this publication is to provide an overview of known systems for monitoring AMU at farm-level, with a descriptive analysis of their key components and processes. As of March 2020, 38 active farm-level AMU monitoring systems from 16 countries were identified. These systems differ in many ways, including which data are collected, the type of analyses conducted and their respective output. At the same time, they share key components (data collection, analysis, benchmarking, and reporting), resulting in similar challenges to be faced with similar decisions to be made. Suggestions are provided with respect to the different components and important aspects of various data types and methods are discussed. This overview should provide support for establishing or working with such a system and could lead to a better implementation of stewardship actions and a more uniform communication about and understanding of AMU data at farm-level. Harmonization of methods and processes could lead to an improved comparability of outcomes and less confusion when interpreting results across systems. However, it is important to note that the development of systems also depends on specific local needs, resources and aims

FLEHMEN IN CAPTIVE MOOSE CALVES (ALCES ALCES AMERICANA)

A total of 256 instances of Flehmen was recorded for 12 (6 male/female pairs) captive moose calves (Alces alces americana). All calves displayed Flehmen and urine appeared to be the primary stimulus for the behaviour. Male calves displayed higher frequencies of Flehmen than did females (11.0 Flehmen/100 urinations versus 1.5 Flehmen/100 urinations). Males showed a seasonal pattern in the occurrence of Flehmen, with peak frequencies during mid-December to mid-February. Most Flehmen were performed in response to an animal's own urine with male and female calves showing the same relative frequency of self-directed Flehmen

Evaluation of Metrics for Benchmarking Antimicrobial Use in the United Kingdom Dairy Industry

AbstractThe issue of antimicrobial resistance is of global concern across human and animal health. In 2016 the UK government committed to new targets for reducing antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock. However, though a number of metrics for quantifying AMU are defined in the literature, all give slightly different interpretations.This paper reviews a selection of metrics for AMU in the dairy industry: total mg, total mg/kg, daily dose and daily course metrics. Although the focus is on their application to the dairy industry, the metrics and issues discussed are relevant across livestock sectors.In order to be used widely, a metric should be understandable and relevant to the veterinarians and farmers who are prescribing and using antimicrobials. This means that clear methods, assumptions (and possible biases), standardised values and exceptions should be published for all metrics. Particularly relevant are assumptions around the number and weight of cattle at risk of treatment and definitions of dose rates and course lengths; incorrect assumptions can mean metrics over- or under-represent AMU.The authors recommend that the UK dairy industry work towards UK-specific metrics using UK-specific medicine dose and course regimens as well as cattle weights in order to monitor trends nationally.</jats:p