8 research outputs found
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
What Matters in Pigletsâ Exposure to Antibiotics Administered through Drinking Water?
A number of drugs are given in drinking water in piglet farming, although this way of administering drugs leads to significant and uncontrolled variability in exposures. Three main explanations for this variability have been described in the literature: (1) the drinking behavior of animals, (2) the drug concentration in water, and (3) the inter-individual variability in the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. This article assesses the relative importance of these three sources of exposure variability for doxycycline and amoxicillin using pharmacokinetic simulations and by observing watering behavior, and analyzes the consequences of this exposure variability. The water consumption behavior was by far the most important factor as it led to a variation in exposures of up to a factor of 7 between piglets. The second most influential factor was the drug concentration in the drinking water with variations ranging from â43.3% to +48.7% at the beginning and the end of the pipeline. Finally, the between-individual variation in PK parameters depends on the drug, but had a low impact on exposure variability. In the most variable case (doxycycline), the mean ratio between the 10% less exposed and the 10% most exposed piglets varied from 3.7 without PK parameters variability to 6 with PK variability. For both drugs, this study also showed that only a small percentage of the piglets (36%) could be considered as well exposed in case of infection by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or Pasteurella multocida. There may be some existing technical ways to reduce this important variability. However, their cost and ease of implementation merit examination
Field evaluation of piglet vaccination with a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin as compared to a ready-to-use product including porcine circovirus 2 and M. hyopneumoniae in a conventional French farrow-to-finish farm
Abstract Background A controlled randomized trial was performed on a well-managed conventional French 180-sow farm. The trial compared the growth performances of piglets vaccinated at weaning (single shot) either with a commercial monovalent Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine or with a commercial bivalent vaccine (PorcilisÂź PCV M Hyo) against M. hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2). The farmâs porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome status was stable, and most diseases (enzootic pneumonia, atrophic rhinitis, post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome) were controlled by routine vaccination. Results During the post-weaning phase, the growth performances of the piglets vaccinated with the bivalent vaccine were not significantly different from those vaccinated with the monovalent vaccine. However, during the fattening phase the group vaccinated with the bivalent vaccine had a significantly improved ADG (+34 g/d, p =â0. 047), resulting in a 5-day earlier shipment to slaughter. The group also had a shorter and lower PCV2 load in serum during the fattening period, and an improved lung lesions score. In both groups, three pigs died during the peak PCV2 viraemia (16â23 weeks of age). Immunohistochemistry of the lymph nodes showed that in the group vaccinated with the bivalent vaccine, none of these pigs had PCV2-like lesions, while 2 out of the 3 from the other group did. Results suggest that the added PCV2 valence in the vaccination protocol helps countering the negative impact of subclinical PCV2 infection on growth. The calculated return on investment of the added PCV2 vaccine valence was âŹ1.7 extra revenue per slaughtered pig (⏠39 additional revenue per sow and per year), despite the fact that the cost of the bivalent vaccine was higher than the monovalent M. hyopneumoniae vaccine. Conclusion In this healthy conventional sow farm, the combined M. hyopneumoniae and PCV2 vaccination was efficacious, convenient to administer and profitable
Antimicrobial usage evolution between 2010, 2013 and 2013 in a group of French pig farms
Introduction: Monitoring antimicrobial usage in pig farms is a key element of a reduction plan. The objective ofthis study was to analyse the antimicrobial usage evolution in the same farms between 2010-2013-2016 and to identify the factors of variations.Material & Methods: The study monitored antimicrobial usage in 2016 in 33 farrow-to-finish farms in the West of France. The antimicrobial usage had ever been registered twice for 23 of them in 2010 and 2013 and once for 10 of them in 2013. It was quantified by the number of Course Doses per produced pig per year (nCD/pig). Farmers were asked about the factors that could explain the evolution between 2013-2016.Results: On average, antimicrobial usage significantly decreased over six years (-38%). However, a highvariability of individual evolutions was observed: among the 23 farms with three annual data, 43% decreased their use between 2010-2013 (-3 nCD/pig on average) but had a stable use between 2013-2016 (-0,2 nCD/pig). 26% decreased their use between 2010-2013 (-4 nCD/pig on average) and also between 2013-2016 (-2 nCD/pig). 9% increased then decreased their use during the two periods (+4 then -7 nCD/pig). One farm had the opposite trajectory (-9 then +2 nCD/pig) and another always increased its use (+2 then +5 nCD/pig). Among the 33 farms with data in 2013-2016, 36% decreased their use (-2 nCD/pig on average), 39% had a stable use and 24% increased their use (+3 nCD/pig).Increases were explained by occurrence of sanitary problems (mainly urogenital, digestive and respiratory problems on sows, piglets and fatteners respectively). Decreases were explained by vaccination, stop of preventive treatments and improvement of herd management.Discussion & Conclusion: This study highlights the variability of individual trajectories in antimicrobial usage, due to sanitary issues. It usefully complements the monitoring of average evolution at the country leve
Learning Processes and Trajectories for the Reduction of Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming: A Qualitative Approach
Since 2011, French public policy has been encouraging a reduction in the use of antibiotics in animal farming. The aim of this article is to look at how some farms have already managed to lower their consumption of antibiotics, and to highlight the levers of change in farming health practices. Our research uses a qualitative study based on 21 semi-structured interviews with farmers and veterinarians in the French pig-farming sector. We use the notion of âtrajectory of changeâ to examine, over time, the intersection of the technical, economic, social and organisational determinants which affect the reduced use of antibiotics. The âlearning processâ concept makes it possible to take account of the way in which the actors assimilate, appropriate and implement new health practices. We have identified three interdependent levels of learning: technical learning, cognitive learning and organisational learning
How Input Parameters and Calculation Rules Influence On-Farm Antimicrobial Use Indicators in Animals
International audienceA variety of indicators of antimicrobial use are available in veterinary medicine, their choice should depend on the study objective as none has been recognized as the most appropriate metric. Calculation of indicators of antimicrobial use is based on a number of parameters (e.g., treatment dose or weight at treatment) that can be informed using theoretical (also called "standard") or actual (also called "used") values. Although few studies compare the application of several indicators to the same antimicrobial data, the obtained results lead to apparent discrepancies or contradictions. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial use at the weaning stage in French pig farms and, more specifically, the impact the sources of information regarding doses, body weight at treatment and treatment length, had on the indicators results. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and data collected from 70 farms made it possible to calculate four indicators at the weaning stage using different input values. The indicator values did not show significant differences when calculated based on the theoretical dose and length of treatment (as recommended by the summary of product characteristics) or when calculated based on the dose used and treatment length as applied by the farmer. However, all of the indicators showed significant differences when calculated using the standard theoretical weight (15 kg) or actual weight (P < 0.05). It appears that if data collection plans cannot be harmonized, clarification of indicator calculations in the literature is needed to allow comparisons between studies
Apport de la sociologie Ă lâĂ©tude de la rĂ©duction dâusage des antibiotiques
In order to decrease the use of antimicrobials on farms, various technical options target zootechnical solutions or alternative drugs. However, beyond these technical options, human and sociological factors determine the decision to prescribe and use antimicrobials. The paper focuses on these factors and provides an overview of research studies in the field of social sciences in France on the reduced use of antimicrobials in differentanimal species. Three major contributions emerged at different scales. The first one addresses the issue of the processes carried out by the farmers to change their practices for a decreased use of antimicrobials at the farm level: barriers and motivations of farmers, trajectories of change, as well as the context in which changes are performed and the tools used. The second contribution deals with the role of the social networks surroundingthe farmers in this process: role of farm advisors and veterinarians and their relationships with farmers, as well as peer group activities to experiment new farming practices. The third contribution focuses on the understanding and design of collective modes of governance to reduce the use of antimicrobials: analysis of veterinary prescription practices and their ongoing developments, the role of farmersâ organizations and value chain actors for a concerted approach to reducing the use of antimicrobials, and the dynamic implemented with the EcoAntibio program. Various perspectives are presented for further developments in this field.Pour rĂ©duire lâusage des antibiotiques en Ă©levage, divers travaux en sciences biotechniques visent Ă concevoir et identifier des solutions zootechniques ou thĂ©rapeutiques alternatives aux antibiotiques. Cependant, au-delĂ de ces solutions techniques, des facteurs humains et sociaux dĂ©terminent les dĂ©cisions de prescrire et dâadministrer ou non des antibiotiques. Lâarticle met lâaccent sur ces facteurs et dresse une synthĂšse des travaux menĂ©s en sciences humaines et sociales en France sur la rĂ©duction de lâusage des antibiotiques dans diffĂ©rentes filiĂšres animales et leurs contributions pour relever ce dĂ©fi. Trois contributions majeures ont Ă©mergĂ©, Ă diffĂ©rentes Ă©chelles. La premiĂšre consiste en une meilleure comprĂ©hension des processus de changement de pratiques opĂ©rĂ©s par les Ă©leveurs pour rĂ©duire lâusage des antibiotiques dans leur Ă©levage : identification des freins et motivations des Ă©leveurs pour opĂ©rer ce changement, caractĂ©risation de trajectoires de changement y compris les contextes dans lesquels elles sont rĂ©alisĂ©es, et outils mobilises par les Ă©leveurs pour y parvenir. Une seconde contribution porte sur la comprĂ©hension du rĂŽle des rĂ©seaux dâacteurs des Ă©leveurs dans ces processus de changement : rĂŽle du conseiller dâĂ©levage et du vĂ©tĂ©rinaire et de leur relation de travail avec lâĂ©leveur ; rĂŽle des pairs pour expĂ©rimenter de nouvelles pratiques. La derniĂšre contribution porte sur la comprĂ©hension et la conception de modes de gouvernance collectifs pour rĂ©duire lâusage des antibiotiques en Ă©levage : analyse de la prescription vĂ©tĂ©rinaire et de ses Ă©volutions, du rĂŽle des acteurs des filiĂšres pour une action concertĂ©e et de la dynamique impulsĂ©e par le plan ĂcoAntibio. Quelques pistes sont Ă©voquĂ©es pour approfondir ces travaux
Monitoring of Farm-Level Antimicrobial Use to Guide Stewardship: Overview of Existing Systems and Analysis of Key Components and Processes
The 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