Practical aspects of antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine.

The two means of using antibiotics, as a growth-promoting feed additive in animal husbandry and as an antimicrobial agent in veterinary medicine, have been discussed and the respective regulations established in Europe concerning proper use and consumer health protection have been examined. The effect of bacterial resistance to antibiotics basically concerns those antimicrobial agents which lead to the selection of resistant strains and to therapeutic failure. To prolong the efficacy of antibiotic drugs, European veterinary organizations recommend a judicious use of the product in question, and propose certain guidelines. Careful monitoring at every level - individual, national, and European - is essential in determining appropriate drug prescription. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.