A comparison of antimicrobial usage in human and veterinary medicine in France from 1999 to 2005.

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2008 May 19;

Authors: Moulin G, Cavalié P, Pellanne I, Chevance A, Laval A, Millemann Y, Colin P, Chauvin C,

Objectives The antimicrobials allowed and amounts sold in veterinary and human medicine in France were compared to see if the same antimicrobial drugs are used in veterinary and human medicine, and to the same extent. Methods Registers of all approved antimicrobial commercial products, kept by the French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products (AFSSA ANMV) for animals and the French Health Products Safety Agency (AFSSAPS) for humans, were compared to determine whether the same antimicrobials were approved in 2007 for use in both human and animal populations. Sales data were collected from pharmaceutical companies between 1999 and 2005 by the AFSSA ANMV and AFSSAPS. Usage of the different antimicrobial anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classes in human and veterinary medicines was recorded. Data were expressed in tonnes of active ingredients and were then related to the animal and human biomasses to compare usages expressed in mg/kg. Results All antimicrobial ATC classes were used in both human and veterinary medicine. Tetracyclines accounted for the most sales in veterinary medicine. beta-Lactams predominated in human medicine. A decrease in the amounts consumed by both human and animal populations was observed during the study. In 2005, 760 tonnes were used in human medicine and 1320 tonnes in veterinary medicine, corresponding to 199 and 84 mg/kg of live weight in human and animal populations, respectively. Conclusions The same antimicrobial drugs were used in human and veterinary medicines but the quantitative patterns of use were different. Expression of antimicrobial usage is a key point to address when comparing usage trends.

PMID: 18490374 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Optimal replacement policy and economic value of dairy cows with diverse health status and production capacity.

J Dairy Sci. 2008 Jun;91(6):2342-52

Authors: Heikkilä AM, Nousiainen JI, Jauhiainen L

Understanding optimal replacement practices is essential in milk production management. In this study, we produced a stochastic dynamic optimization model that included the risk of diseases. Moreover, the study took into consideration the genetic production capacity of a cow and the uncertainty related to it. We determined the optimal replacement policy separately for Ayrshire and for Holstein-Friesian Finnish herds. The need for veterinary treatments and the probability of involuntary culling were estimated from the Finnish dairy herd health recording system. We found that the portion of involuntary culling was approximately 50% of present disposals. The need for veterinary treatments and the probability of involuntary culling were higher for Holstein-Friesian than for Ayrshire cows. Regardless of health status, only the oldest cows with low production capacity should be disposed of intentionally. In the postoptimization steady state, the mean parity was 3.8 and 3.7 for Ayrshire and Holstein-Friesian herds, respectively. Under current management practice, the mean is only 2.3 parities. Preventing premature culling of dairy cows is important to improve the possibilities of breeding selection and the economic performance of milk production. The expected net present value of a cow was slightly higher in Ayrshire than in Holstein-Friesian herds. The results indicate that in the long run, it is worth paying attention to the health status and longevity of a cow as well as to its high yield.

PMID: 18487656 [PubMed - in process]

British Veterinary Zoological Society 50th anniversary.

Vet Rec. 2008 May 17;162(20):664

Authors: Flach E, Lyon D

PMID: 18487589 [PubMed - in process]

Nasal acinic cell carcinoma in a cat.

Vet Pathol. 2008 May;45(3):365-8

Authors: Psalla D, Geigy C, Konar M, Marçal VC, Oevermann A

This case report describes the clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related, and pathologic features of a nasal acinic cell carcinoma in a cat. A 16-year-old, castrated male, oriental shorthaired cat, weighing 3.8 kg, was presented with history of sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge persisting several months. Evaluation by MRI revealed an heterogeneous, space-occupying lesion that filled the left nasal cavity and was diagnosed by histopathologic examination as an acinic cell carcinoma arising from a minor salivary gland of the nasal cavity. Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare tumor in veterinary medicine. The tumor is composed mainly of cells resembling serous cells of salivary glands and originates from major or minor salivary glands. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of the occurrence of acinic cell carcinoma in the sinonasal tract and include the tumor in the differential diagnosis of feline nasal diseases.

PMID: 18487495 [PubMed - in process]