Antibiotic resistance monitoring in bacteria of animal origin: analysis of national monitoring programmes.

Methods of antibiotic resistance monitoring of bacteria from animals in 12 European countries were surveyed in 1998. Most laboratories used disk diffusion methods, usually expressing results qualitatively, although a few also expressed the results either as MICs or zone diameters. The number of antibiotics used ranged from 5 to 37 (mean 15) and the most common antibacterials were streptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, ampicillin, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol and sulphonamides. Salmonellae were monitored by most centres but few-tested campylobacter regularly. Escherichia coli from a wide range of animal species were tested in nine countries. Enterococci were tested on a limited ad hoc basis in six countries. Staphylococci, streptococci and pasteurellae were also frequently monitored but the number of isolates tested showed wide variation. Overall the presentation of the results differed, but most programmes used disk diffusion, control strains and monitored similar bacteria. Thus, it may be possible to harmonise monitoring programmes within the EU.