New online research collection raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance in horses

To coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day , researchers from the University of Liverpool have edited and contributed to a special online collection of research papers relating to the use of, and resistance to, antimicrobials in horses, which is published today by the Equine Veterinary Journal . The collection highlights the current understanding of equine antimicrobial resistance and how the veterinary profession can preserve the effectiveness of these essential medicines. Major health threat Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging clinical problem, recognised internationally as one of the largest threats to human and animal health. All major health and veterinary organisations are working to try and limit the development of resistance so that effective antimicrobials can be retained for use in clinical practice. The new online collection is edited by Professor Peter Clegg , a specialist in Equine Surgery and Head of the University's Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease , and covers current trends on bacterial populations in equine infections, risk factors for antimicrobial resistance and the appropriate use of antimicrobials in equine veterinary practice. Professor Clegg said: "It remains to be determined how big a problem antimicrobial resistance will become for the equine veterinary profession, either through greater difficulties in treating horses, or through political pressure to restrict the access of veterinary surgeons to antimicrobials.