Antimicrobials in Livestock 2: Choices of Prevention and Treatment

This second volume of the two-volumes work “Antimicrobials in Livestock” offers an in-depth look at the antimicrobials commonly used in veterinary medical care of the major food producing animals pigs, poultry and cattle as well as horses, bringing to readers’ attention also pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of these drugs. The individual chapters also provide a brief description of preventive tools as well as alternatives to conventional treatment options that could help minimise the use of antibiotics and combat the problems caused by increasing antimicrobial resistance. The focus is on Europe, without neglecting the global context.

The complete two-volumes provide an extensive review of various aspects related to the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. Volume I explores the use of antimicrobials in animals from the regulatory, practical as well scientific perspective and is targeted on EU policies and regulatory surroundings, providing also information on risks linked to the extensive use of antibiotics in livestock and highlighting importance of methods of laboratory testing for susceptibility and resistance, starting from phenotype tests and moving towards genetic analysis results providing molecular biology aspects. Each chapter confronts the reader with open questions to stimulate further discussions and future research on the topics covered. Volume II more specifically discusses medical aspects necessary for targeted, responsible, and evidence-based use of antimicrobials in cattle, pigs, poultry, and horses, as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as two of the most important factors necessary for proper dosing schedule setting of effective treatment. While the preface of the first volume started with questions, Volume II’s preface ends with them, having the intention to provoke more in depth and innovative thinking and might be the start of a new era, which is needed to keep antimicrobials working and available for the future generations both in human and veterinary medicine.