Geographic Drivers of Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Pigs in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand
Abstract
In Thailand, pig production has increased considerably in the last decades to meet a growing demand for pork. Antimicrobials are used routinely in intensive pig production to treat infections and increase productivity. However, the use of antimicrobials also contributes to the rise of antimicrobial resistance with potential consequences for animal and human health. Here, we quantify the association between antimicrobial use and resistance rates in extensive and intensive farms with a focus on geographic proximity between farm and drugstores. Of the 164 enrolled farms, 79% reported using antimicrobials for disease prevention, treatment, or as a feed additive. Antimicrobial-resistant E. coli were present in 63% of farms. These drugs included critically important antimicrobials, such as quinolones and penicillins. Medium-scale farms with intensive animal production practices showed higher resistance rates than small-scale farms with extensive practices. Farms with drug-resistant Escherichia coli were located closer to drugstores and a had a higher proportion of disease than farms without drug-resistant E. coli. We found no association between the presence of resistance in humans and antimicrobial use in pigs. Our findings call for actions to improve herd health to reduce the need for antimicrobials and systematic training of veterinarians and drugstore owners on judicious use of antimicrobials in animals to mitigate resistance. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000487126Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Frontiers in Veterinary ScienceVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Frontiers MediaSubject
Escherichia coli; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial use; pig; intensive productionOrganisational unit
09673 - Van Boeckel, Thomas (ehemalig) / Van Boeckel, Thomas (former)
Funding
180179 - Piloting on-site interventions for reducing antimicrobial use in livestock farming in emerging economies (SNF)
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