Page 125 - 2021 Barrel Stallion Register

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: WHY CARE?
In the early 20th century, because of limited options of available antimicrobial medication, many people died of what are now treatable bacterial infections. Today, we take for granted the plethora of pills, tablets, solutions, and ointments available to combat many varieties of bacterial infections.
Since the 1940’s until recently, antibiotics have often been used indiscriminately and inappropriately. In response to widespread use of antimicrobials, many infectious organ- isms have adapted and developed resistance that protects them from succumbing to the killing effects of antimicrobial medications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that each year at least 2 million human illnesses and 23,000 deaths in the United States are caused by antibiotic- resistant bacteria.
Microbial development of resistance genes to thwart antibiotics is not a new phenomenon. Researchers have identified specific enzymes responsible for some resis- tance factors that date back 2 billion years. The current concern about resistance has to do with the popularity of using antibiotics for just about any sniffle or cough, or
other viral problems that are best left for the person’s or animal’s native immune system
to deal with. Antibiotics don’t work against viruses or fungi; only against bacteria. Many antibiotics only target specific bacteria; so, using the wrong antibiotic product does nothing to kill the infectious agent but may instead kill off other commensal (useful) bacteria. In addition, exposure to unnecessary antibiotics potentially stimulates development of resistant genes in bacteria, including those that weren’t the initial
target for treatment.
It is just as important to consider that animals, including horses, treated with an- tibiotics are part of the process of microbial resistance. The CDC comments, “Treatment of food-producing animals with antimicro- bial agents that are important in human therapy may present a public health risk by the transfer of resistant zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans.” While horses aren’t food-producing animals, overuse in this spe- cies contributes to the problem of resistance. If many of our antimicrobials cease to be ef- fective, then we will have nothing left in the medication armamentarium to use to treat human or animal infections when it really matters. This is why we should care.
CONSCIENTIOUS ANTIMICROBIAL USE
The CDC notes that up to one half of antibiotic use in humans and much of antibi- otic use in animals is inappropriate and un- necessary. If overuse of antibiotics is curtailed for use only where necessary and appropriate, this improves safety for all, from humans to domestic animals.
Proper use of antimicrobials starts
with prevention of disease or injury in the first place. When feasible, immunization against viruses has a good success rate for protecting horses against viral disease that could ultimately lead to bacterial infection, such as respiratory viruses leading to bacterial bronchopneumonia.
VETERINARY VIEWS
ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS AND CONSCIENTIOUS USE
by Nancy S. Loving, DVM
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that each year at least 2 million human illnesses and 23,000 deaths in the United States are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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