Sources of variation of antimicrobial use in Charolaise and Limousine beef breeds in Veneto region (Italy)

Abstract

Submitted 2020-07-03 | Accepted 2020-09-03 | Available 2020-12-01

https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.180-189

The development of antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem which jeopardises both human and animal health. Livestock sector is generally blamed as principal contributor due to the over-use of antimicrobials to treat animals. Hence, new strategies to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU) are necessary. Little is still known on potential factors affecting AMU in beef production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the impact of farm, breed, sex and season on AMU in Charolaise and Limousine breeds. Data on body weight, breed, sex and AMU were collected from 10 specialized beef farms (543 batches) located in Veneto region (Italy). Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated and AMU data were used to calculate a treatment incidence (TI100it) through the Defined Daily Dose Animal based on Italian dosage. An ANOVA was performed to investigate sources of variation of ADG and TI100it. Overall, farms differed significantly for both ADG and TI100it. The ADG was greater for Charolaise than Limousine breed (P <0.05). Limousine had greater TI100it than Charolaise (P <0.05), and males had greater TI100it than females (P <0.05), likely due to their higher susceptibility to respiratory diseases. Differences among seasons were also observed, with the coldest periods of the year having greater TI100it compared to summer and spring (P <0.05). Findings of the present study shed a light on potential risk factors of AMU in beef cattle, which will be useful to develop new strategies for the reduction of antimicrobials.5

Keywords: antimicrobial, beef cattle, treatment incidence

References

AACTING. (2019). Guidelines for collection, analysis and reporting of farm-level antimicrobial use, in the scope of antimicrobial stewardship. Version 1.2_2019-07-02. AACTING. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.aacting.org/swfiles/files/AACTING_Guidelines_V1.2_2019.07.02_54.pdf

Alexander, B. H. et al. (1989). Risk factors for lower respiratory tract disease in a cohort of feedlot cattle. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 195(2), 207-211.
ANACLI. (2019). Do you know the Charolaise? ANACLI. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from http://www.anacli.it/WEBSITE/index.php?&pagid=2412&sessione In Italian.

Bøe, K. E. & Færevik, G. (2003). Grouping and social preferences in calves, heifers and cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 80, 175-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00217-4

Bokma, J. et al. (2018). Risk factors for antimicrobial use in food-producing animals: disease prevention and socio-economic factors as the main drivers? Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 87(4), 188-200. https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v87i4.16066

Caucci, C. et al. (2018). Impact of bovine respiratory disease on lung lesions, slaughter performance and antimicrobial usage in French beef cattle finished in North-Eastern Italy. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 17(4), 1065-1069. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2018.1426395

Cernicchiaro, N. et al. (2012a). Associations between weather conditions during the first 45 days after feedlot arrival and daily respiratory disease risks in autumn-placed feeder cattle in the United States. Journal of Animal Science, 90, 1328-1337. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4657

Cernicchiaro, N. et al. (2012b). Associations between the distance traveled from sale barns to commercial feedlots in the United States and overall performance, risk of respiratory disease, and cumulative mortality in feeder cattle during 1997 to 2009. Journal of Animal Science, 90, 1929-1939. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4599

Cozzi, G. (2007). Present situation and future challenges of beef cattle production in Italy and the role of the research. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6(1), 389-396. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2007.1s.389

Diana, A. et al. (2020). Use of antimicrobials in beef cattle: an observational study in the north of Italy. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 181, 105032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105032

Edwards, T. A. (2010). Control methods for bovine respiratory disease for feedlot cattle. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 26, 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2010.03.005

EMA. (2014). Veterinary medicines division principles on assignment of defined daily dose for animals (DDDvet) and defined course dose for animals (DCDvet). EMA. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/principles-assignment-defined-daily-dose-animals-dddvet-defined-course-dose-animals-dcdvet_en.pdf

EMA. (2016). Defined daily doses for animals (DDDvet) and defined course doses for animals (DCDvet). European surveillance of veterinary antimicrobial consumption (ESVAC). EMA. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/principles-assignment-defined-daily-dose-animals-dddvet-defined-course-dose-animals-dcdvet_en.pdf

EMA. (2018). Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 30 European countries in 2016. EMA. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/report/sales-veterinary-antimicrobial-agents-30-european-countries-2016-trends-2010-2016-eighth-esvac_en.pdf

EMA. (2019). Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 European countries in 2017. EMA. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/report/sales-veterinary-antimicrobial-agents-31-european-countries-2017_en.pdf

Fabbri, M. C. et al. (2019). Population structure and genetic diversity of Italian beef breeds as a tool for planning conservation and selection strategies. Animals, 9, 880. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110880

Gallo, L. et al. (2014). A survey on feedlot performance of purebred and crossbred European young bulls and heifers managed under intensive conditions in Veneto, northeast Italy. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 13, 798-807. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.3285

Herve, L. et al. (2020). To what extent does the composition of batches formed at the sorting facility influence the subsequent growth performance of young beef bulls? A French observational study. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 176, 104936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.104936

Jones, P. J. et al. (2015). Factors affecting dairy farmers’ attitudes towards antimicrobial medicine usage in cattle in England and Wales. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 121, 30-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.05.010

Keane, M. P. et al. (2017). Effect of space allowance and floor type on performance, welfare and physiological measurements of finishing beef heifers. Animal, 11, 2285-2294. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117001288

Mader, T. L. (2014). Animal welfare concerns for cattle exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Journal of Animal Science, 92, 5319-5324. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-7950

Magrin, L. et al. (2019). Health, behaviour and growth performance of Charolais and Limousin bulls fattened on different types of flooring. Animal, 13, 2603-2611. https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111900106X

Marvin, D. M. et al. (2010). Knowledge of zoonoses among those affiliated with the Ontario swine industry: a questionnaire administered to selected producers, allied personnel, and veterinarians. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 7, 159-166. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2009.0352

Mounier, L. et. al. (2006). Mixing at the beginning of fattening moderates social buffering in beef bulls. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 96, 185-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2005.06.015

Muggli-Cockett, N. E. et al. (1992). Genetic analysis of bovine respiratory disease in beef calves during the first year of life. Journal of Animal Science, 70, 2013-2019. https://doi.org/10.2527/1992.7072013x

Murphy, C. P. et al. (2018). Factors potentially linked with the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in selected bacteria from cattle, chickens and pigs: A scoping review of publications for use in modelling of antimicrobial resistance (IAM.AMR Project). Zoonoses and Public Health, 65(8), 957-971. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12515

Noyes, N. et al. (2016a). Characterization of the resistome in manure, soil and wastewater from dairy and beef production systems. Scientific Reports, 6, 24645. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep24645

Noyes, N. et al. (2016b). Resistome diversity in cattle and the environment decreases during beef production. eLife, 5, e13195. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.13195.001

Sanderson, M. W. et al. (2008). Risk factors for initial respiratory disease in United States’ feedlots based on producer-collected daily morbidity counts. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49, 373-378.

Scherpenzeel, C. G. M. et al. (2018). Veterinarians’ attitudes toward antimicrobial use and selective dry cow treatment in the Netherlands. Journal of Dairy Science, 101, 6336-6345. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13591

Simčič, M. et al. (2006). Different parameters affecting body weights of Charolais and Limousine calves from birth to weaning. Acta Agraria Kaposváriensis, 10, 127-133.

Speksnijder, D. C. et al. (2015). Reduction of veterinary antimicrobial use in the Netherlands. The Dutch success model. Zoonoses and Public Health, 62(1), 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12167

Stanger, K. J. et al. (2005). The effect of transportation on the immune status of Bos indicus steers. Journal of Animal Science, 83, 2632-2636. https://doi.org/10.2527/2005.83112632x

Sturaro, E. et al. (2005). Factors affecting growth performance in beef production: an on farm survey. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 3, 128-131. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2005.3s.128

Tarakdjian, J. et al. (2020). Antimicrobial use on Italian pig farms and its relationship with husbandry practices. Animals, 10, 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030417

Taylor, J. D. et al. (2010). The epidemiology of bovine respiratory disease: What is the evidence for predisposing factors? Canadian Veterinary Journal, 51, 1095-1102.

Timmerman, T. et al. (2006). Quantification and evaluation of antimicrobial drug use in group treatments for fattening pigs in Belgium. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 74, 251-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.10.003

Van Boeckel, T. P. et al. (2015). Global trends in antimicrobial use in food animals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(18), 5649-5654. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1503141112

Vieira, A. R. et al. (2011). Trends in slaughter pig production and antimicrobial consumption in danish slaughter pig herds, 2002-2008. Epidemiology & Infections, 139, 1601-1609. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268810002724

Visschers, V. et al. (2014). Swiss pig farmers ׳ perception and usage of antibiotics during the fattening period.
Livestock Science, 162, 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.02.002

WHO (World Health Organization). (2017). Critically important antimicrobials for human medicine - 5th revision 2016. WHO. Retrieved April 10, 2020 from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/255027/9789241512220eng.pdf;jsessionid=A556BAED31F79C4A8347E539D4D12A4A?sequence=1

Wierup, M. (2000). The control of microbial diseases in animals: alternatives to the use of antibiotics. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 14, 315-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-8579(00)00143-6