Pharmaco-epidemiological evaluation of veterinary antimicrobial prescriptions for cattle, swine, small ruminants, poultry, rainbow trout, and food-producing horses in Umbria in 2014

Abstract

Veterinary antimicrobial use could lead to problems such as the spread of antimicrobial resistance or the presence of residues in animal-derived products for human consumption. Related to this, data on drug consumption is in strong demand. The aims of this study are therefore to evaluate a regional Defined Daily Dose (DDDvet_Umbria) for all of the antimicrobials prescribed in Umbria during 2014 and to analyse prescriptions for cattle, swine, small ruminants, poultry, rainbow trout, and food-producing horses. Consumption, prevalence, and intensity of use indicators are calculated. Swine, poultry, and fish were the most treated species during 2014. Beta-lactams were the most frequently consumed antimicrobials for these species. Critically important antimicrobials were mostly prescribed for swine, poultry, and cattle. Colistin was the most frequently used critically important antimicrobial to treat swine and poultry. This study helps to better understand antimicrobial consumption in food-producing animals by overcoming the limitations of other proposed approaches. Our data are useful for quantifying antimicrobial consumption, identifying problematic farms, and supports a comparison among different animal species. Results highlight that the critical sectors in drug consumption – where the highest use of antibiotics were found – are swine, poultry, and trout farms.