TY - JOUR AU - Afema, Josephine A. AU - Davis, Margaret A. AU - Sischo, William M. PY - 2019 DA - 2019/09/12 TI - Antimicrobial use policy change in pre-weaned dairy calves and its impact on antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli: a cross sectional and ecological study JO - BMC Microbiology SP - 217 VL - 19 IS - 1 AB - This study is based on data collected to investigate the relation of peri-parturient events (colostrum quality, passive transfer of immunity, calving difficulty) on calf health and antimicrobial use. A component of the study was to provide feedback to farm management to identify calves at risk for disease and promote antimicrobial stewardship. At the start of the study (May 2016), a combination of enrofloxacin, penicillin, and sulfamethoxazole was the first treatment given to clinically abnormal calves. Based on feedback and interaction between study investigators, farm management and consulting veterinarians, a new policy was implemented to reduce antimicrobial use in calves. In August, the first treatment was changed to a combination of ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole. In September, the first treatment was reduced to only sulfamethoxazole. We investigated the effects of these policy changes in antimicrobial use on resistance in commensal Escherichia coli. SN - 1471-2180 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-019-1576-6 DO - 10.1186/s12866-019-1576-6 ID - Afema2019 ER -