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Antimicrobial Stewardship in Laboratory Animal Facilities
1Animal Health and Care Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. narverh@mail.nih.gov.
Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
|September 15, 2017
Summary
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is crucial for combating global antibiotic resistance. This review examines antimicrobial use in lab animals, especially rodents, advocating for judicious practices to preserve drug efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Animal Research
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis.
- Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) aims to preserve antibiotic efficacy.
- Antimicrobials are used in laboratory animals for various purposes, including research and disease treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate antimicrobial use in contemporary vivaria.
- To focus on rodent antimicrobial use due to their common use and complex administration.
- To encourage improvements in antibiotic use to decrease bacterial resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis of antimicrobial use in research animals.
- Examination of current practices in vivaria, with a focus on rodents.
- Application of the '5 Rs' framework (Reduce, Refine, Replace, Review, Responsibility) for antimicrobial use.
Main Results:
- Antimicrobial use in laboratory animals presents challenges, particularly in rodents.
- Current practices require improvement to align with antimicrobial stewardship principles.
- Judicious use of antibiotics is essential for both animal welfare and research integrity.
Conclusions:
- Implementing AMS principles in vivaria is vital to combat antimicrobial resistance.
- The '5 Rs' provide a practical framework for optimizing antimicrobial use in research settings.
- Responsible antibiotic use in research animals is necessary to maintain drug effectiveness for future generations.
