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. 2018 Dec 14:4:30.
doi: 10.1186/s40813-018-0106-5. eCollection 2018.

Association between antimicrobial usage, biosecurity measures as well as farm performance in German farrow-to-finish farms

S Raasch  1 , M Postma  2 , J Dewulf  2 , K D C Stärk  3 , E Grosse Beilage  1
Affiliations

Association between antimicrobial usage, biosecurity measures as well as farm performance in German farrow-to-finish farms

S Raasch et al. Porcine Health Manag. .

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial usage in food producing animals is of major concern. A clear link between the extent of use and the development of antimicrobial resistance has already been demonstrated. To evaluate strategies that may reduce the antimicrobial usage while assuring pig health and welfare, it requires profound knowledge of factors that are associated with antimicrobial usage. Data on biosecurity and herd management practices are important parameters to identify risk factors which are related to a higher antimicrobial usage. To investigate between-farm variations of high and low usage the treatment incidence (TI) per age group in 60 German farrow-to-finish herds was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed and linked to biosecurity measures, and herd management characteristics.

Results: Weaned pigs received most of the treatments (median TI = 487.6), followed by suckling pigs (median TI = 138.9). Suckling pigs were treated with critically important antimicrobials (3rd and 4th generation cephalosporines) to a remarkable extent. The number of sows present at site (p < 0.01) and a low score for external biosecurity (p = 0.06) were associated with a higher antimicrobial usage in pigs from birth till slaughter. Herds with a higher treatment incidence in growing pigs (TI 200 days): i) were located in a region with a high pig density (p < 0.01), ii) had a less strict access check for visitors and personnel (p < 0.01) and iii) scored lower in the subcategory 'cleaning and disinfection' (internal biosecurity) (p < 0.01). Herds with a higher treatment incidence in breeding pigs weaned more piglets per sow and year and scored better in the internal biosecurity level (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: With the main focus on the treatment incidence in pigs from birth till slaughter and in breeding pigs risk factors for a high usage in these age groups were identified. The level of biosecurity of a herd was associated with the amount of antimicrobials used. Therefore, the findings in this study indicate possible points of action in the reduction and prudent use of antimicrobials in Germany. The active improvement of biosecurity measures could be a promising alternative to reduce antimicrobial usage on herd level.

Keywords: Antimicrobial usage; Biosecurity; Herd size; Pig production; Risk factors; Treatment incidence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Participating farmers signed a contract where anonymity of data collection was guaranteed.Not applicable.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Proportion of the antimicrobial classes administered to suckling, weaned, fattening and breeding pigs. *TMPS: Sulfonamides and trimethoprim. a Suckling pigs b Weaned pigs c Fattening pigs d Breeding pigs e Proportion over all groups
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of the administration route (oral and parenteral) of the antimicrobial treatments (treatment incidence)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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