Quantification and trends of antimicrobial use in commercial adult dairy and calves during summer and winter in Pakistan

Journal article

BackgroundSurveillance of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food animals is a key strategy to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance.AimA cross-sectional period prevalence survey was conducted to collect AMU data from 12 dairy farms in two provinces (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in Pakistan.MethodsAMU data were analyzed using three metrics, that is, antimicrobial chemical compound (in kg), (mg/PCU), and [defined daily dose animal (DDDA)/1,000 animal-days].ResultsThe total usage in adult dairy cattle in terms of mg/PCU and treatment incidences across both seasons and all provinces were 6.36 mg/PCU and 26.34 DDDA/1,000 animal-days. In adult dairy cattle, the cumulative AMU across both seasons and provinces was 15.23 kg, 6.36 mg/PCU, and 26.34 DDDA/1,000 animal-days, whereas in calves the figures were 1.22 kg, 8.58 mg/PCU, and 36.71 DDDA/1,000 animal-days. Treatment incidences were 23.9% lower in adult dairy cattle and 65% lower in calves in winter than in summer. In adult dairy cattle, 17.35% of antimicrobials used were highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIAs).ConclusionThese findings highlight the need for countrywide AMU monitoring and regulations on HPCIAs in food animals.

Authors: Umair, M; Zaheer, MU; Tahir, MF; Abdullah, RM; Ali, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: ScopeMed
• Journal: Open veterinary journal
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 3156-3176
• Publication date: 2025-07-31
• Acceptance date: 2025-06-06
• DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2025.v15.i7.2
• EISSN: 2218-6050
• ISSN: 2226-4485
• Pmid: 41036373
• Language: English
• Keywords: Female; Cattle; Animals; Antimicrobial Use; Seasons; Critically Important Antimicrobials; Cross-Sectional Studies; Calves; Dairying; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Adult Dairy Cattle; Anti-Infective Agents; Pakistan