The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms
IntroductionFarms are significant hotspots for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes (ARGs) into the environment and directly to humans. The prevalence of ARGs on farms underscores the need for effective strategies to reduce their spread. This study aimed to evaluate the impac...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1420282/full |
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| author | Barbara Salerno Matteo Cornaggia Raffaella Sabatino Andrea Di Cesare Claudio Mantovani Lisa Barco Benedetta Cordioli Luca Bano Carmen Losasso |
| author_facet | Barbara Salerno Matteo Cornaggia Raffaella Sabatino Andrea Di Cesare Claudio Mantovani Lisa Barco Benedetta Cordioli Luca Bano Carmen Losasso |
| author_sort | Barbara Salerno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionFarms are significant hotspots for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes (ARGs) into the environment and directly to humans. The prevalence of ARGs on farms underscores the need for effective strategies to reduce their spread. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a guideline on “best practices for farming” aimed at reducing the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.MethodsA guideline focused on prudent antibiotic use, selective therapy, and hygienic and immune-prophylactic practices was developed and provided to the owners of 10 selected dairy farms and their veterinarians. Fecal samples were collected from lactating cows, dry cows, and calves both before and after the implementation of the guideline. ARGs (blaTEM, ermB, sul2, and tetA) were initially screened by end-point PCR, followed by quantification using digital droplet PCR. ARG abundance was expressed in relative terms by dividing the copy number of ARGs by the copy number of the 16S rRNA gene.ResultsThe ARG abundances were higher in lactating cows compared to other categories. Despite similar levels of antibiotic administration (based on veterinary prescription data from the sampled farms) in both sampling campaigns, the total abundance of selected ARGs, particularly blaTEM and tetA, significantly decreased after the adoption of the farming guidelines.DiscussionThis study highlights the positive impact of prudent antibiotic use and the implementation of farming best practices in reducing the abundance of ARGs. The lactating cow category emerged as a crucial point of intervention for reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts to address antibiotic resistance in farm environments and strengthen the evidence supporting the adoption of good farming practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-086b069a26294d44904a22c690d6fa2e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-086b069a26294d44904a22c690d6fa2e2025-01-07T15:42:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-01-011110.3389/fvets.2024.14202821420282The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farmsBarbara Salerno0Matteo Cornaggia1Raffaella Sabatino2Andrea Di Cesare3Claudio Mantovani4Lisa Barco5Benedetta Cordioli6Luca Bano7Carmen Losasso8Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, ItalyMicrobiology and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Villorba, ItalyMolecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, ItalyMolecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute-National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA), Verbania, ItalyScience Communication Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, ItalyLaboratory of Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, ItalyMicrobiology and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Villorba, ItalyMicrobiology and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Villorba, ItalyLaboratory of Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, ItalyIntroductionFarms are significant hotspots for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes (ARGs) into the environment and directly to humans. The prevalence of ARGs on farms underscores the need for effective strategies to reduce their spread. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a guideline on “best practices for farming” aimed at reducing the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.MethodsA guideline focused on prudent antibiotic use, selective therapy, and hygienic and immune-prophylactic practices was developed and provided to the owners of 10 selected dairy farms and their veterinarians. Fecal samples were collected from lactating cows, dry cows, and calves both before and after the implementation of the guideline. ARGs (blaTEM, ermB, sul2, and tetA) were initially screened by end-point PCR, followed by quantification using digital droplet PCR. ARG abundance was expressed in relative terms by dividing the copy number of ARGs by the copy number of the 16S rRNA gene.ResultsThe ARG abundances were higher in lactating cows compared to other categories. Despite similar levels of antibiotic administration (based on veterinary prescription data from the sampled farms) in both sampling campaigns, the total abundance of selected ARGs, particularly blaTEM and tetA, significantly decreased after the adoption of the farming guidelines.DiscussionThis study highlights the positive impact of prudent antibiotic use and the implementation of farming best practices in reducing the abundance of ARGs. The lactating cow category emerged as a crucial point of intervention for reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts to address antibiotic resistance in farm environments and strengthen the evidence supporting the adoption of good farming practices.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1420282/fullantibiotic resistanceantimicrobial consumptiondairy farmscalvesantimicrobial resistance genes (AR genes) |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Salerno Matteo Cornaggia Raffaella Sabatino Andrea Di Cesare Claudio Mantovani Lisa Barco Benedetta Cordioli Luca Bano Carmen Losasso The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms Frontiers in Veterinary Science antibiotic resistance antimicrobial consumption dairy farms calves antimicrobial resistance genes (AR genes) |
| title | The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| title_full | The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| title_fullStr | The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| title_full_unstemmed | The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| title_short | The “best practices for farming” successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| title_sort | best practices for farming successfully contributed to decrease the antibiotic resistance gene abundances within dairy farms |
| topic | antibiotic resistance antimicrobial consumption dairy farms calves antimicrobial resistance genes (AR genes) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1420282/full |
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