Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials—A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians

Sri, Anna; Bailey, Kirsten E; Gilkerson, James R.; Browning, Glenn F.; Hardefeldt, Laura Y.

doi:10.3390/antibiotics11111589

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The survey documented administration of an extensive range of antimicrobial classes which differs from that used by veterinarians in treating companion or agricultural animal species. The Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG) has rated antimicrobials used in humans, companion, and food production animals, and those used in both, according to their importance in treating infections, and the severity of consequences should resistance emerge or be amplified [49]. Antimicrobial use in the laboratory animal sector is not included within ASTAG reviews [49].…”

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Australian Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (ASTAG) has rated antimicrobials used in humans, companion, and food production animals, and those used in both, according to their importance in treating infections, and the severity of consequences should resistance emerge or be amplified [49]. Antimicrobial use in the laboratory animal sector is not included within ASTAG reviews [49]. Tet-On/Tet-Off mice are a commonly used mouse model in which a gene expression system has been inserted in the mouse genome.…”

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Wilcox,

Marenda,

Devlin

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This cross-sectional study surveyed veterinarians and facility managers to characterise the use of antimicrobials in laboratory rodent facilities within Australia and New Zealand. Most facilities (71%) reported routine administration of antimicrobials. The indications for antibiotic use reflected those described in publications and differed significantly to reasons for use in non-laboratory animals. Antimicrobials used include those of critical importance to human health, and access to these drugs is unregulated, as prescription-only classes are ordered through research catalogues, without human or veterinary physician prescriptions.The ways in which antimicrobials are used in Australian and New Zealand rodent facilities are likely contributing to antimicrobial resistance within rodent populations, particularly as they are largely administered in drinking water, risking subtherapeutic dosing. Much antimicrobial use reported is unnecessary and could be replaced with changes to husbandry and handling. The generation of resistance in both pathogenic and commensal microbes may also represent a work health and safety issue for humans working with these animals.Reported disposal of antimicrobials included discharge into wastewater, without inactivation, and some respondents reported disposal of substrate, or soiled bedding, nesting material, and disposable enrichment items, from treated animals and medicated feed into landfill, without prior inactivation. Environmental contamination with resistant microbes and antimicrobials is a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance. As such, significant opportunities exist to implement judicious and responsible use of antimicrobials within research rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand, with a particular focus on instituting aseptic surgery, optimising dosing regimens, and inactivation of medicated water and substrate before disposal.

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Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antimicrobials Used Include Those Of Critical Importance To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Wilcox,

Marenda,

Devlin

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Assessing veterinarians’ opinions of antimicrobial stewardship initiative acceptability for farm practice in Wales

Powell,

Bard,

Rees

2024

Veterinary Record

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BackgroundAntimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives are imperative to safeguard antimicrobials and reduce resistance. Across the UK, AMS relies in part on the self‐regulation of the veterinary profession, particularly in farm animal practice, alongside voluntary schemes and quality assurance systems. In Europe, AMS initiatives are often statutory and require responsibility from several sectors. Consideration of broader AMS initiatives, potentially unfamiliar to the Welsh veterinary profession, could optimise future policy and align it with the requirements of Welsh veterinarians.MethodsAMS initiatives were collated from nations with long‐standing low antimicrobial use. A survey was constructed permitting veterinarians' evaluation of initiative feasibility and effectiveness (collectively, ‘acceptability’) within Welsh farm animal practice.ResultsVeterinarian‐directed AMS initiatives, particularly those implemented within individual practices, were considered most acceptable. Initiatives that demanded cooperation from entities outside practices, or those regarded as punitive, were less acceptable.LimitationsThe findings of this voluntary survey may be biased towards particularly motivated respondents in the veterinary sector. Additionally, the cause or effect of the recorded professional behaviour is not known in this study.ConclusionFuture antimicrobial policy should consider AMS acceptability by veterinarians, alongside farmers and other stakeholders, to promote compliance and attainment. The study data suggest that veterinarians may perceive continuous professional development/knowledge exchange as being most acceptable, alongside activities allied to a strong veterinarian‒client prescribing relationship. Continued support should focus on expanding these areas. Decoupling (ie, abolishing the professional licence for veterinarians to both prescribe and dispense medicines) was viewed as least acceptable by veterinarians in this study.

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Reaching consensus amongst international experts on the use of high importance-rated antimicrobials in animals – a Delphi study

Sri,

Bailey,

Scarborough

et al. 2024

One Health

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Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials—A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians

Cited by 5 publications

References 65 publications

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

Assessing veterinarians’ opinions of antimicrobial stewardship initiative acceptability for farm practice in Wales

Reaching consensus amongst international experts on the use of high importance-rated antimicrobials in animals – a Delphi study

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