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

Background: Surveillance of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food animals is a key strategy to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Aim: A cross-sectional period prevalence survey was conducted to collect AMU data from 12 dairy farms in two provinces (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in Pakistan. Methods: AMU 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]. Results: The 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). Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for countrywide AMU monitoring and regulations on HPCIAs in food animals.