Antibiotics
The Transmission of Antibiotic Residues from Treated to Untreated Pigs and the Barn Environment
By Jansen LJM, Arends M, van Asseldonk LLM and 4 others.
Abstract
Background/objectives
This study aimed to understand the extent of transmission of antibiotic residues from treated to untreated pigs and the barn environment using different pen set-ups. This is in order to create awareness and to stimulate prudent use of antibiotics in livestock farming.
Methods
Transmission, expressed as the (relative) residue level, of sulfadimidine, enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin was determined using animal wipes, surface wipes and manure samples of pigs in four different compartments with variations in interconnected or distanced pens and type of pen partitions (open or closed).
Results
Most antibiotic residues in untreated pigs were detected with a combination of open partitions and interconnected pens. Separating the pens with space in between minimized detectable antibiotic residues in the manure of untreated pigs, whereas interconnected pens did show antibiotic residues in internal matrices. Antibiotic residues were detected in the barn environment after treatment in all different pen set-ups.