A UK-based survey of cat owners’ perceptions and experiences of antibiotic usage

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Stallwood ◽  
Alex Shirlow ◽  
Angie Hibbert
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Veterinary Antibiotic

Objectives The aim of this study was to explore owners’ knowledge of antibiotics, experience of antibiotic use in their cats and involvement in decision-making regarding antibiotic prescriptions. Methods Cat owners were recruited via social media and veterinary practices to complete a survey designed to evaluate general knowledge of antibiotics, attitudes to antibiotic stewardship and experiences of antibiotic use in their own cat between November 2017 and March 2018. Data were analysed descriptively. Results A total of 1436 surveys were completed; 247 respondents (17.2%) had a veterinary background. The majority of the remaining respondents correctly identified that antibiotics treat bacterial infections (84.0%; n = 999) but do not treat viral infections (72.8%; n = 865). A minority (n = 338; 28.4%) agreed that antibiotic resistance was a problem in cats in the UK; 92.3% (n = 1097) identified that resistance was a problem in human medicine. Seventy percent (n = 832) of the respondents’ cats had received antibiotics; 29.6% (n = 246) received a long-acting injectable antibiotic (14 days’ duration). Diagnostic tests were performed before antibiotic prescription in 38.7% (n = 322) of cats; 1.4% (n = 7) of respondents reported declining suggested tests and 65.8% (n = 778) indicated that they would be happy to pay for diagnostic tests to allow selection of the most appropriate antibiotic. Most respondents (95.8%; n = 792) indicated that they were happy to follow their veterinarian’s advice and recommendations; however, 49.2% (n = 405) had expected antibiotics to be prescribed. Conclusions and relevance Cat owners demonstrated good knowledge of antibiotic action; however, greater owner education regarding the potential for veterinary antibiotic resistance, requirement for diagnostic testing and training in the administration of oral medication with first-line antibiotics, as well as the use of veterinary antibiotic guidelines, will improve antibiotic stewardship. Good communication between veterinarians and owners is necessary for rational antibiotic use.

scholarly journals Misuse of Antibiotic during COVID 19 Outbreaks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6-S) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Rajendran Vinoth ◽  
R Sambath Kumar ◽  
N. Venkateswaramurthy
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has been detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and is accompanied by significant degrees of morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic resistance (AMR) threatens to wreak havoc on healthcare system and the impact of globalization, and COVID-19 is intended to keep it at bay for the time being. During the COVID-19 crisis, a wide range of antimicrobial medicines were promoted as viable treatments. While both industrialized and industrializing nations have seen a rise in antimicrobial medication usage, use and abuse have been significantly more prevalent in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance is still a concern since microorganisms that cause resistant infections develop in hospitals and medical institutions, placing all patients at risk, complicating the care of COVID-19. Improper prescriptions, a lack of care management policies and needless self-administration by the general population are examples of these. Antibiotics seem to be more motivated to abuse and misusing antibiotics than to keep them safe and take them only when prescribed. Almost all of the substantial antibiotic usage in COVID-19 patients is inevitable. Patients having lung viral infections are more likely to develop subsequent bacterial infections, which lead to higher disease severity and death. Immediately crucial components of any AMR mitigation approach are increased spending in education and increased public knowledge of AMR. More studies are needed to better understand the health risks and rate of co-infection in COVID-19 patients in order to promote a decrease in any unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing. Keywords: COVID-19; Antibiotic use and misuse; Antimicrobial Resistance.

scholarly journals SARS-Cov-2 and drug shortages- Trends and lessons from a Caribbean perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Jankie ◽  
Shalini Pooransingh ◽  
Arlene Stuart ◽  
Lexley Pinto-Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
General Level ◽  
Normal Flora ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Aim and Objectives To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotic use among patients attending a tertiary referral urology unit in south Trinidad. We aimed to investigate the general level of awareness of antibiotics as well as identify patterns of antibiotic misuse which could potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. Results 150 patients were evaluated. Most patients (75.5%) were aware that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. 57.9% also believed that antibiotics may be used to treat viral infections. 48.4% were aware of the potential deleterious effects of antibiotics on the body’s normal flora while 78% were aware of the concept of antibiotic resistance. 28.9% reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Overall, 23.3% reported having done so for a fever or cold while 12.6% did so for urinary symptoms. 68 persons (42.8%) stopped their antibiotics prior to completion of the course duration with most (76.5%) indicating that they did so because they felt better. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while most patients were aware of issues surrounding the use of antibiotics, a significant percentage still harboured several misconceptions. Also, high rates of self-medication with antibiotics were noted, among several worrying patterns of usage.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Antibiotic Use Among Patients at a Tertiary Urology Centre in Trinidad and Tobago

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satyendra Persaud ◽  
◽  
Rajendra Sukhraj ◽  
Lester Goetz ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
General Level ◽  
Normal Flora ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Aim and Objectives To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotic use among patients attending a tertiary referral urology unit in south Trinidad. We aimed to investigate the general level of awareness of antibiotics as well as identify patterns of antibiotic misuse which could potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. Results 150 patients were evaluated. Most patients (75.5%) were aware that antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. 57.9% also believed that antibiotics may be used to treat viral infections. 48.4% were aware of the potential deleterious effects of antibiotics on the body’s normal flora while 78% were aware of the concept of antibiotic resistance. 28.9% reported using antibiotics without a prescription. Overall, 23.3% reported having done so for a fever or cold while 12.6% did so for urinary symptoms. 68 persons (42.8%) stopped their antibiotics prior to completion of the course duration with most (76.5%) indicating that they did so because they felt better. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while most patients were aware of issues surrounding the use of antibiotics, a significant percentage still harboured several misconceptions. Also, high rates of self-medication with antibiotics were noted, among several worrying patterns of usage.

scholarly journals 2070. Assessing Primary Care Physicians’ Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Antibiotic Resistance and Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship: A National Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S698-S698
Author(s):  
Rachel M Zetts ◽  
Andrea Garcia ◽  
Jason Doctor ◽  
Jeffrey Gerber ◽  
Jeffrey A Linder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incentive Program ◽  
Data Feedback

Abstract Background At least 30% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. Outpatient antibiotic stewardship can improve prescribing and minimize the threat of antibiotic resistance. We assessed primary care physicians’ (PCPs) perceptions of antibiotic resistance, inappropriate antibiotic use, and the need for and impact of antibiotic stewardship activities. Methods We conducted a national survey of 1,550 internal and family medicine physicians and pediatricians recruited from a medical market research panel. Quotas were established to recruit participants by geographic region and specialty. For sample representativeness, survey weights were generated according to these characteristics using the American Medical Association’s Masterfile. Results Among respondents, 94% agreed that resistance is a problem in the United States, but only 55% felt it was a problem for their practice; 65% of respondents agreed they had seen an increase in resistant infections in their patients over the past 5 years. Responses about inappropriate antibiotic use were similar: 91% agreed that it was a problem, but 37% agreed that it is a problem in their practice. Additionally, 60% felt they prescribed antibiotics more appropriately than their peers. For antibiotic stewardship, 91% felt it was appropriate for office-based practices, but 53% believed that discussions with patients on the appropriate use of antibiotics is sufficient to address the problem. The majority of respondents indicated they were likely, very likely, or extremely likely to implement stewardship interventions in response to feedback or incentives from payers or health departments. The activities with the strongest likelihood to spur stewardship adoption included the state health department publishing local resistance patterns (82%), a payer creating a stand-alone incentive program for stewardship (80%), or a payer including it in a broader quality incentive program (76%). Conclusion PCPs feel that antibiotic resistance, inappropriate prescribing, and stewardship are important in the United States, but not for their own practices. This disconnect poses a challenge for the success of outpatient stewardship programs. Incentive or data feedback activities may help encourage stewardship uptake. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Antibiotic Use in Long-Term–Care Facilities: Many Unanswered Questions

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 680-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Loeb
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Quantitative Relation ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

AbstractThe extensive use of antibiotics in long-term–care facilities has led to increasing concern about the potential for the development of antibiotic resistance. Relatively little is known, however, about the quantitative relation between antibiotic use and resistance in this population. A better understanding of the underlying factors that account for variance in antibiotic use, unexplained by detected infections, is needed. To optimize antibiotic use, evidence-based standards for empirical antibiotic prescribing need to be developed. Limitations in current diagnostic testing for infection in residents of long-term–care facilities pose a substantial challenge to developing such standards.

scholarly journals The role of “spillover” in antibiotic resistance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Olesen ◽  
Marc Lipsitch ◽  
Yonatan H. Grad
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Modeling ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Dynamical Models ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Us States ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Resistance Data

ABSTRACTAntibiotic use is a key driver of antibiotic resistance. Understanding the quantitative association between antibiotic use and resulting resistance is important for predicting future rates of antibiotic resistance and for designing antibiotic stewardship policy. However, the use-resistance association is complicated by “spillover”, in which one population’s level of antibiotic use affects another population’s level of resistance via the transmission of bacteria between those populations. Spillover is known to have effects at the level of families and hospitals, but it is unclear if spillover is relevant at larger scales. We used mathematical modeling and analysis of observational data to address this question. First, we used dynamical models of antibiotic resistance to predict the effects of spillover. Whereas populations completely isolated from one another do not experience any spillover, we found that if even 1% of interactions are between populations, then spillover may have large consequences: the effect of a change in antibiotic use in one population on antibiotic resistance in that population could be reduced by as much as 50%. Then, we quantified spillover in observational antibiotic use and resistance data from US states and European countries for 3 pathogen-antibiotic combinations, finding that increased interactions between populations were associated with smaller differences in antibiotic resistance between those populations. Thus, spillover may have an important impact at the level of states and countries, which has ramifications for predicting the future of antibiotic resistance, designing antibiotic resistance stewardship policy, and interpreting stewardship interventions.

scholarly journals Potential impact of outpatient stewardship interventions on antibiotic exposures of common bacterial pathogens

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Tedijanto ◽  
Yonatan H Grad ◽  
Marc Lipsitch
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Infection Incidence ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between antibiotic stewardship and population levels of antibiotic resistance remains unclear. In order to better understand shifts in selective pressure due to stewardship, we use publicly available data to estimate the effect of changes in prescribing on exposures to frequently used antibiotics experienced by potentially pathogenic bacteria that are asymptomatically colonizing the microbiome. We quantify this impact under four hypothetical stewardship strategies. In one scenario, we estimate that elimination of all unnecessary outpatient antibiotic use could avert 6% to 48% (IQR: 17% to 31%) of exposures across pairwise combinations of sixteen common antibiotics and nine bacterial pathogens. All scenarios demonstrate that stewardship interventions, facilitated by changes in clinician behavior and improved diagnostics, have the opportunity to broadly reduce antibiotic exposures across a range of potential pathogens. Concurrent approaches, such as vaccines aiming to reduce infection incidence, are needed to further decrease exposures occurring in ‘necessary’ contexts.

scholarly journals Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance: Public Awareness Survey in the Republic of Cyprus

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Mikaela Michaelidou ◽  
Spyridon A. Karageorgos ◽  
Constantinos Tsioutis
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
World Health ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Local Evidence

We aimed to assess the knowledge and understanding of antibiotic use and resistance in the general population of Cyprus, in order to inform future antibiotic awareness campaigns with local evidence. Cross-sectional survey following the methodology of the “Antibiotic resistance: Multi-country public awareness survey” of the World Health Organization, during December 2019–January 2020. A total of 614 respondents participated: 64.3% were female and most were aged 35–44 years (33.2%) or 25–34 years (31.8%). One-third had used antibiotics >1 year ago and 91.6% reported receiving advice on appropriate use from a medical professional. Despite high awareness on correct use of antibiotics, lack of knowledge was noted for specific indications, where approximately one-third believed that viral infections respond to antibiotics and 70.7% lack understanding of how antibiotic resistance develops. Higher education graduates exhibited significantly higher knowledge rates. As high as 72.3% were informed about “antibiotic resistant bacteria” from healthcare professionals or social media. Most agreed on the usefulness of most suggested actions to address antibiotic resistance, with higher proportions acknowledging the role of prescribers. Up to 47% could not identify their role in decreasing antibiotic resistance. Our study provides local evidence to inform future efforts in a country characterized by high antibiotic consumption rates.

scholarly journals Understanding of Pharmacy Students towards Antibiotic Use, Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study from Punjab, Pakistan

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Khezar Hayat ◽  
Shazia Jamshed ◽  
Meagen Rosenthal ◽  
Noman Ul Haq ◽  
Jie Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
And Training ◽  
Insight Into

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a significant issue for public health globally. An adequate understanding of ABR and the approaches used to tackle ABR, including antibiotic stewardship programs, are vital. This study aimed to get an insight into antibiotic use, ABR, and antibiotic stewardship programs among pharmacy students of Punjab, Pakistan. This multicenter study was undertaken among final (fifth) year undergraduate pharmacy students of 7 universities of Punjab, Pakistan. A paper-based self-administered questionnaire comprising 48-items was utilized for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. This study included a total of 296 respondents with a response rate of 85.8%. Most of the students had an average understanding of antibiotic use (59.8%), ABR (42.6%), ABR mechanisms (48.0%), and factors of ABR (51.7%). Only 21.6% of students have heard about antibiotic stewardship programs. More than half of the students believed that educating and training healthcare professionals (53.4%) and medical students (57.8%) about the prescribing and judicial usage of antibiotics could reduce the ABR burden. The awareness of most of the pharmacy students about certain aspects of antibiotic use, ABR, and stewardship programs was suboptimal.

scholarly journals The Mortality Burden of Multidrug-resistant Pathogens in India: A Retrospective, Observational Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumanth Gandra ◽  
Katie K Tseng ◽  
Anita Arora ◽  
Bhaskar Bhowmik ◽  
Matthew L Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Hospital Study

Abstract Background The threat posed by antibiotic resistance is of increasing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as their rates of antibiotic use increase. However, an understanding of the burden of resistance is lacking in LMICs, particularly for multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Methods We conducted a retrospective, 10-hospital study of the relationship between MDR pathogens and mortality in India. Patient-level antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results for Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. were analyzed for their association with patient mortality outcomes. Results We analyzed data on 5103 AST results from 10 hospitals. The overall mortality rate of patients was 13.1% (n = 581), and there was a significant relationship between MDR and mortality. Infections with MDR and extensively drug resistant (XDR) E. coli, XDR K. pneumoniae, and MDR A. baumannii were associated with 2–3 times higher mortality. Mortality due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was significantly higher than susceptible strains when the MRSA isolate was resistant to aminoglycosides. Conclusions This is one of the largest studies undertaken in an LMIC to measure the burden of antibiotic resistance. We found that MDR bacterial infections pose a significant risk to patients. While consistent with prior studies, the variations in drug resistance and associated mortality outcomes by pathogen are different from those observed in high-income countries and provide a baseline for studies in other LMICs. Future research should aim to elucidate the burden of resistance and the differential transmission mechanisms that drive this public health crisis.

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