Document Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Animal and Veterinary Science

Advisor(s)

James Weber

Committee Members

Robert Causey, Suzanne Ishaq, Melissa Ladenheim, Anne Lichtenwalner

Graduation Year

May 2022

Publication Date

5-2022

Abstract

Antimicrobials are essential in the treatment of diseases in both humans and animals, but antimicrobial resistance threatens their efficacy. As more microorganisms become resistant to an ever-growing list of antimicrobials, diseases that used to be simple to treat are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. The major factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance are overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. In order to combat the problem of resistance, antimicrobial stewardship programs that aim to improve antimicrobial prescribing and use practices are becoming increasingly widespread. These programs are quite common in human medicine, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of life, including antimicrobial stewardship. In this study, three classes of antibacterials, beta-lactams, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones, will be reviewed as well as two antiparasitic classes, quinolines and avermectins, before investigating the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on antimicrobial stewardship in human medicine. The aim of this study is to assess the impact the pandemic had on these programs, and whether this decreased their effectiveness in reducing the behaviors and practices associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance. This information will then be applied to veterinary medicine using a One Health perspective, which recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are intimately connected.

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