Page 499 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

436 Niamh Caffrey and Karen Tang

Figure 12.3 OIE list of
antimicrobials of veterinary
importance.

veterinary importance important antimicrobials ing. Bacterial resistance is driven by several
should not be used as a preventative treatment selectors, however, it is possible to minimize
or in the absence of clinical signs. They should the transmission of resistant bacteria. Rational
only be used as a first line treatment option if and targeted use of antimicrobials will maximize
justified with bacteriological testing, and their therapeutic effect and minimize the develop-
extra label use should be reserved for instances ment of AMR, therefore prudent use guidelines,
when no alternatives are available. and methods to reduce the use of antimicrobials
in food-producing animals are key to reducing
dependence on antimicrobials in food animal
antibiotics and animal health populations.

Antimicrobial use (AMU) in intensive livestock Reducing AMU in livestock: how can
production systems plays a crucial role in con- this be achieved?
trolling infectious diseases. Balancing the need
to use antimicrobials to ensure animal health Antimicrobial stewardship refers to evidence
and welfare with the need to reduce AMU due based prescription of antibiotics to decrease
to the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance antibiotic overuse or misuse. It involves edu-
is a challenge. The evidence that antibiotic use cating practitioners in veterinary and human
selects for antibiotic resistance is overwhelm- disciplines on assessment of the need for anti-

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