Antibiotic Usage Patterns in Selected Broiler Farms of Bangladesh and their Public Health Implications

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic organisms has been recognized as a serious public health hazard worldwide. The major antibiotics used for humans are usually the same as those used in veterinary medicine. Therefore, usage patterns of veterinary drugs have significant impact on public health. No comprehensive work has been documented till date on the usage patterns of veterinary antibiotics in Bangladesh and their residual level. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the antibiotic usage patterns in broiler industry in the country and the level of antibiotic residues in broiler meat. 

Methods: A total of 73 poultry farms were randomly surveyed from different regions of Bangladesh to explore the pattern of antibiotic usage. Individual live bird was collected from each study farm to investigate the existence of residual antibiotics. A total of 219 samples from the breast, thigh and liver were analysed for the presence of antibiotic residues following the microbiological method of four plates. 

Results: All the 73 poultry farms used at least one antibiotic. Common usage of antibiotics was for therapy (43.8%), prophylaxis (31.5%), or both (47.9%), and to lesser extent for growth promotion (8.2%). Twenty eight different patterns of antibiotic usage were observed of which approximately 70% followed multi-drugs practice. Most of the farmers (>60%) used antibiotics without any prescription. Laboratory analyses revealed existence of residual antibiotics in 26% of samples. Fluroquinolones (68.4%) were the most commonly detected antibiotics. 

Conclusions: Presence of antibiotic residues in chicken carcasses poses significant health risk to consumers. The study has provided information on commonly used antibiotics and reasons for their use in Bangladesh for the first time. The findings will contribute to the development of strategies for prudent use of antibiotics in veterinary industry and will help in securing public health.