Pattern of prescriptions and prudent use of antimicrobial in horse practice at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Antimicrobial prescriptions of the University of Pisa and their compliance with prudent use recommendations were investigated over 11 years (2011-2021). At least one antimicrobial was always prescribed in surgical prophylaxis for the suture of wounds and in 33% of horses with signs of disease of a body system. Antimicrobials were administered in monotherapy (48%) in fixed dose combinations (21%) and empirical combinations (31%). Antimicrobials were mostly (63%) administered by parenteral route, while oral and topical antimicrobials accounted for 14% and 23% of prescriptions, respectively. Gentamicin, benzylpenicillin and ceftiofur were the most prescribed antimicrobials; aminoglycosides, penicillins and cephalosporins were the most common class of antimicrobial prescribed. Protected antimicrobials (WHO HPCIA and rifampicin) represented 24% of antimicrobial dispensations. The pattern of classes of antimicrobial used by body system was broad and included up to eight different pharmaceutical classes. The heterogeneity of antimicrobial use was confirmed by the estimate of the prescription diversity index. Antimicrobial prescriptions were in compliance with prudent use recommendations in terms of availability of diagnosis, respect of the dose range and duration of treatment On the contrary, principles of appropriate antimicrobial use have only been partially observed in relation to off-label use, use of antimicrobials in empirical combination, use of antimicrobial susceptibility tests and use of protected antimicrobials, suggesting that additional interventions are required to improve the responsible use of antimicrobials use in our equine practice.

Zearalenone (ZEN) and Its Metabolite Levels in Tissues of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Southern Italy: A Pilot Study.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by the fungi of the Fusarium genera, and is a contaminant of cereals and plant products. ZEN and its metabolites are considered endocrine disruptors, and could have various toxic effects on animals and humans. In recent years, there has been a significant demographic increase in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in many mountainous and hilly areas of Italy, including the Campania region, mainly due to global climate change. The wild boar can be defined as a generalist and omnivorous species capable of varying its diet; therefore, it can play a role as an environmental bioindicator towards contaminants such as mycotoxins. This study was conducted to evaluate, for the first time, the concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites in the liver, kidney, and muscle of 82 wild boars shot in their habitat by hunters with hunting permits in different localities of Avellino province (Campania region, Southern Italy) from 2021 to 2022. The samples were collected and analyzed with an SPE clean-up and high-pressure liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. The results indicated that ZEN and α-Zearalenol were present in most of the samples, suggesting that a plan to monitor these mycoestrogens is essential to achieve the goals of "One Health".