Antimicrobial Use Pattern in Broiler and Sonali Poultry Production in Bangladesh

Abstract

The poultry industry in Bangladesh is a significant contributor to the economy, providing a cheap and readily available source of animal protein to the country's growing population. However, with the increasing challenges posed by infectious poultry diseases, the misuse of antimicrobials in commercial farming is becoming a growing concern. With the aim to assess antimicrobial usage (AMU) patterns in chicken farms, a longitudinal study was conducted from December 2022 to July 2023, among 100 commercial poultry farms having at least 500 birds in Mirsharai in Chattogram (Mirsharai and Chandonaish Upazila) and Gazipur districts. Data on AMU were collected using questionnaires, logbooks, and daily phone calls. A total of 34 different antibiotics were used in 674 treatment courses, with amoxicillin (12.2%), doxycycline (8.7%), and florfenicol (9.2%) being most frequently applied. The purpose behind most antibiotics was prevention (59%), followed by treatment (36%) and growth promotion (5%). Antimicrobial use was quantified using weight-based and dose-based indicators: mg/PCU (milligrams per population correction unit), nDDDvet/PCU (number of Defined Daily Doses), and nDCDvet/PCU (number of Defined Course Doses). The overall median AMU was 224.9 mg/PCU, with the highest usage in credit-based broiler farms (330.1 mg/PCU) and the lowest in contract-based farms (114.8 mg/PCU). Similarly, nDDDvet/PCU and nDCDvet/PCU were highest in credit-based broiler farms (13.1 and 3.1, respectively) and lowest in contract-based farms (4.7 and 1.1). The overall AMU in this study (224.9 mg/PCU) was over 5.6 times higher than Bangladesh’s estimated value (40 mg/PCU) and nearly double the global average for food-producing animals (117.5 mg/PCU). The majority of farmers (up to 96.1%) relied on their own experience to decide on AMU, while a smaller proportion received advice from feed/drug dealers (up to 25.7%), government or company veterinarians (22.9%), or fellow farmers. These findings highlight inappropriate AMU practice might lead to AMR, a global threat. Development of Bangladesh-specific DDD/DCD standards, Strict adherence to regulations in antibiotic trade, continuous research for improved stewardship, and targeted awareness programs for farmers and stakeholders are essential components of comprehensive strategies to address indiscriminate antimicrobial usage and combat antimicrobial resistance effectively.