title: The use of antimicrobial agents in broiler chickens.
abstract: Antimicrobial agents are essential tools for treating and controlling bacterial infections in poultry production. Veterinarians have a huge responsibility when using antimicrobials in poultry producing meat and eggs for human consumption. The term 'judicious use' of antimicrobials implies the optimal selection of drug, dose and duration of antimicrobial treatment, along with a reduction in inappropriate and excessive use as a means of slowing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The proper use of antimicrobials depends on the knowledge of interrelationships between bacteria, antimicrobial, host and consumer. This article reviews the anatomical-physiological features of poultry relating to drug disposition as well as the pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics of the most commonly used antimicrobials in broiler chickens. Doses frequently employed for flock treatment are presented as are accepted withdrawal times.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118, La Plata, Conicet 1900, Argentina. Electronic address: landoni@fcv.unlp.edu.ar.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Landoni
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Chorroarin 280, Ciudad Autónoma, Bs As 1427, Argentina.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albarellos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002645:Chickens; D006801:Humans; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Antimicrobial agents; Broiler chickens; Flock treatment; Pharmacokinetics; Poultry