TY - JOUR

T1 - Overview and evaluation of existing guidelines for rational antimicrobial use in small-animal veterinary practice in europe

AU - Allerton, Fergus

AU - Prior, Cameron

AU - Bagcigil, Arzu Funda

AU - Broens, Els

AU - Callens, Bénédicte

AU - Damborg, Peter

AU - Dewulf, Jeroen

AU - Filippitzi, Maria Eleni

AU - Carmo, Luís Pedro

AU - Gómez-Raja, Jonathan

AU - Harpaz, Erez

AU - Mateus, Ana

AU - Nolff, Mirja

AU - Phythian, Clare J.

AU - Timofte, Dorina

AU - Zendri, Flavia

AU - Jessen, Lisbeth Rem

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Antimicrobial stewardship guidelines (ASGs) represent an important tool to help veterinarians optimize their antimicrobial use with the objective of decreasing antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to map and qualitatively assess the ASGs for antimicrobial use in cats and dogs in Europe. Country representatives of the European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment (ENOVAT) were asked to identify ASGs published in their countries. All collated ASGs updated since January 2010 containing recommendations on antimicrobial therapy for at least three conditions affecting different organ systems in cats and dogs underwent detailed review including AGREE II analysis. Out of forty countries investigated, fifteen ASGs from eleven countries met the inclusion criteria. Several critical principles of antimicrobial use were identified, providing a framework that should assist development of stewardship guidance. The AGREE II analysis highlighted several methodological limitations of the currently available ASGs. This study sheds light on the lack of national ASGs for dogs and cats in multiple European countries and should encourage national bodies to prioritize guideline development in small animals. A greater awareness of the need to use a structured approach to guideline development could improve the quality of ASGs in the future.

AB - Antimicrobial stewardship guidelines (ASGs) represent an important tool to help veterinarians optimize their antimicrobial use with the objective of decreasing antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to map and qualitatively assess the ASGs for antimicrobial use in cats and dogs in Europe. Country representatives of the European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Treatment (ENOVAT) were asked to identify ASGs published in their countries. All collated ASGs updated since January 2010 containing recommendations on antimicrobial therapy for at least three conditions affecting different organ systems in cats and dogs underwent detailed review including AGREE II analysis. Out of forty countries investigated, fifteen ASGs from eleven countries met the inclusion criteria. Several critical principles of antimicrobial use were identified, providing a framework that should assist development of stewardship guidance. The AGREE II analysis highlighted several methodological limitations of the currently available ASGs. This study sheds light on the lack of national ASGs for dogs and cats in multiple European countries and should encourage national bodies to prioritize guideline development in small animals. A greater awareness of the need to use a structured approach to guideline development could improve the quality of ASGs in the future.

KW - AGREE II

KW - Antimicrobial resistance

KW - Antimicrobial stewardship

KW - Canine

KW - Feline

KW - Guidelines

U2 - 10.3390/antibiotics10040409

DO - 10.3390/antibiotics10040409

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33918617

AN - SCOPUS:85104418789

VL - 10

JO - Antibiotics

JF - Antibiotics

SN - 2079-6382

IS - 4

M1 - 409

ER -