Can a clinical guideline actually reduce antimicrobial use against S. suis?
A peer-learning and e-learning intervention was associated with substantial reductions in antimicrobial use on farms with S. suis problems.
A peer-learning and e-learning intervention was associated with substantial reductions in antimicrobial use on farms with S. suis problems.
Problem: Publishing an S. suis clinical guideline does not by itself ensure that veterinarians change their antimicrobial-prescribing behavior.
Methods: An eight-month program combining peer-learning meetings and e-learning was evaluated in a multicenter pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster trial; 49 veterinarians participated and 33 provided data from 125 S. suis problem farms.
1. Farm-level antimicrobial use decreased by 25% (Bonferroni-adjusted CI 3–42%) at the first follow-up and 49% (27–65%) at the second compared with baseline.
2. Among evaluable veterinarians, the antimicrobial-prescribing performance indicator decreased by 36% (18–50%) at the second measurement.
3. The intervention also improved some behaviors, including justification for second-choice antimicrobials and temporarily increased bacteriological examination, while two other prescribing indicators did not change significantly.
Original publication
Wayop IYA et al. Reduced antimicrobial use in weaned pigs through an intervention program supporting veterinarians’ adherence to the clinical practice Streptococcus suis guideline. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:29694.