Optimization of an antibiotic sensitivity assay for Mycoplasma hyosynoviae and susceptibility profiles of field isolates from 1997 to 2011

Integrating the Human and Animal Sides of Mycoplasmas Resistance to Antimicrobials

Mycoplasma infections are frequent in humans, as well as in a broad range of animals. However, antimicrobial treatment options are limited, partly due to the lack of a cell wall in these peculiar bacteria. Both veterinary and human medicines are facing increasing resistance prevalence for the most commonly used drugs, despite different usage practices. To date, very few reviews have integrated knowledge on resistance to antimicrobials in humans and animals, the latest dating back to 2014. To fill this gap, we examined, in parallel, antimicrobial usage, resistance mechanisms and either phenotype or genotype-based methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as epidemiology of resistance of the most clinically relevant human and animal mycoplasma species. This review unveiled common features and differences that need to be taken into consideration in a "One Health" perspective. Lastly, two examples of critical cases of multiple drug resistance are highlighted, namely, the human M. genitalium and the animal M. bovis species, both of which can lead to the threat of untreatable infections.

Probiotic Therapy (BIO-THREE) Mitigates Intestinal Microbial Imbalance and Intestinal Damage Caused by Oxaliplatin

Gastrointestinal mucositis associated with the use of chemotherapeutic drugs can seriously affect the quality of life of patients. In this study, a probiotic mixture, BIO-THREE, was used to alleviate intestinal damage caused by oxaliplatin in mice and human patients. Kunming mice were injected with 15 mg/kg of oxaliplatin twice, and BIO-THREE tablets were administered to mice for 12 days. Patients with gastric cancer undergoing oxaliplatin treatment took BIO-THREE tablets for 2 weeks. The changes in the composition of fecal microbiota both in patients and mice were analyzed using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. In mice, oxaliplatin caused a drop in body weight and produced lesions in the liver and small intestines. Probiotic therapy successfully mitigated the damage caused by oxaliplatin to the intestinal tract, but it was not very effective for the liver damage and weight loss caused by oxaliplatin. The sequencing of the gut microflora indicated that oxaliplatin treatment increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreased the abundance of Prevotella in mice. After taking probiotics, the feces of mice and human patients both had a higher abundance of Plovitella and a lower abundance of Bacteroides. The increase in Bacteroidetes and decrease in Prevotella in the gut community might be associated with oxaliplatin-induced intestinal damage. Probiotics appeared to be beneficial, decreasing intestinal damage by restoring the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Prevotella.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Mycoplasma spp

Mycoplasmas are intrinsically resistant to antimicrobials targeting the cell wall (fosfomycin, glycopeptides, or β-lactam antibiotics) and to sulfonamides, first-generation quinolones, trimethoprim, polymixins, and rifampicin. The antibiotics most frequently used to control mycoplasmal infections in animals are macrolides and tetracyclines. Lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, pleuromutilins, phenicols, and aminoglycosides can also be active. Standardization of methods used for determination of susceptibility levels is difficult since no quality control strains are available and because of species-specific growth requirements. Reduced susceptibility levels or resistances to several families of antimicrobials have been reported in field isolates of pathogenic Mycoplasma species of major veterinary interest: M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae in poultry; M. hyopneumoniae, M. hyorhinis, and M. hyosynoviae in swine; M. bovis in cattle; and M. agalactiae in small ruminants. The highest resistances are observed for macrolides, followed by tetracyclines. Most strains remain susceptible to fluoroquinolones. Pleuromutilins are the most effective antibiotics in vitro. Resistance frequencies vary according to the Mycoplasma species but also according to the countries or groups of animals from which the samples were taken. Point mutations in the target genes of different antimicrobials have been identified in resistant field isolates, in vitro-selected mutants, or strains reisolated after an experimental infection followed by one or several treatments: DNA-gyrase and topoisomerase IV for fluoroquinolones; 23S rRNA for macrolides, lincosamides, pleuromutilins, and amphenicols; 16S rRNAs for tetracyclines and aminoglycosides. Further work should be carried out to determine and harmonize specific breakpoints for animal mycoplasmas so that in vitro information can be used to provide advice on selection of in vivo treatments.

Assessment of Awareness about Antibiotic Resistance and Practices Followed by Veterinarians for Judicious Prescription of Antibiotics: An Exploratory Study in Eastern Haryana Region of India

The rise of antibiotic resistance and its global outreach has recently become a subject of increasing importance in veterinary research with an objective to reduce the load of antibiotic resistance in dairy farming practices. The present study was designed to analyze antibiotic prescriptions by veterinarians and to evaluate the appropriateness of prescribing behavior in consistent with prudent use of antibiotics. A total of 48 veterinarians were selected randomly from government Veterinary hospitals constituting a total of 48 veterinarians as respondents. The study revealed that most of prescriptions corresponded sound to prudent use of antibiotic and its treatment guidelines. To assess their awareness about antibiotic resistance and its related veterinary practices, an exclusively Awareness Index of antibiotic resistance was developed. It was observed that antibiotics were prescribed in initial encounter of diagnosis; thus, antibiotic conservation practices were found lacking. The ethical awareness of veterinarians was found lacking to establish valid veterinary-client relationship and ensure active involvement of stakeholders. This study largely looks into this angle by unearthing the drug prescribing behavior in order to shape the interdisciplinary research on this biological and profoundly social issue.

Macrolides and lincosamides in cattle and pigs: use and development of antimicrobial resistance

Macrolides and lincosamides are important antibacterials for the treatment of many common infections in cattle and pigs. Products for in-feed medication with these compounds in combination with other antimicrobials are commonly used in Europe. Most recently approved injectable macrolides have very long elimination half-lives in both pigs and cattle, which allows once-only dosing regimens. Both in-feed medication and use of long-acting injections result in low concentrations of the active substance for prolonged periods, which causes concerns related to development of antimicrobial resistance. Acquired resistance to macrolides and lincosamides among food animal pathogens, including some zoonotic bacteria, has now emerged. A comparison of studies on the prevalence of resistance is difficult, since for many micro-organisms no agreed standards for susceptibility testing are available. With animal pathogens, the most dramatic increase in resistance has been seen in the genus Brachyspira. Resistance towards macrolides and lincosamides has also been detected in staphylococci isolated from pigs and streptococci from cattle. This article reviews the use of macrolides and lincosamides in cattle and pigs, as well as the development of resistance in target and some zoonotic pathogens. The focus of the review is on European conditions.

Factors influencing antibiotic prescribing habits and use of sensitivity testing amongst veterinarians in Europe

The Heads of Medicines Agencies and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe undertook a survey to gain a better insight into the decision-making process of veterinarians in Europe when deciding which antibiotics to prescribe. The survey was completed by 3004 practitioners from 25 European countries. Analysis was to the level of different types of practitioner (food producing (FP) animals, companion animals, equines) and country for Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Responses indicate no single information source is universally considered critical, though training, published literature and experience were the most important. Factors recorded which most strongly influenced prescribing behaviour were sensitivity tests, own experience, the risk for antibiotic resistance developing and ease of administration. Most practitioners usually take into account responsible use warnings. Antibiotic sensitivity testing is usually performed where a treatment failure has occurred. Significant differences were observed in the frequency of sensitivity testing at the level of types of practitioners and country. The responses indicate a need to improve sensitivity tests and services, with the availability of rapid and cheaper testing being key factors.