Influences on limited antimicrobial use in small-scale freshwater aquaculture farms in central Thailand

作者：Nour Alhusein, Boonrat Chantong, Sarin Suwanpakdee, Anuwat Wiratsudakul, Virginia C. Gould, Kantima Wichuwaranan, Kornrawan Poonsawad, Varapon Montrivade, Nutcha Charoenboon, Luechai Sringernyuang, Matthew B. Avison, Helen Lambert, Walasinee Sakcamduang, Henry Buller, Kristen K. Reyher · 发表于：Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fvets.2025.1600051 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Agricultural Systems and Practices、Fisheries and Aquaculture Studies、Aquaculture disease management and microbiota

Introduction: Recent years have shown substantial growth both in the scale and the spread of freshwater aquaculture in Thailand, raising concerns about potential widespread unsustainable use of antimicrobials. Methods: This mixed-methods study used surveys and qualitative interviews to examine conditions of freshwater aquaculture farming in central Thailand in relation to animal health, disease management and patterns of antimicrobial use. Results: Freshwater aquaculture in this area of Thailand was largely a domestic venture operated as a source of additional household income to increase financial security. Aquaculture was often integrated with other types of farming; initial outlay was reduced by repurposing unused crops, food, or animal manure (e.g. chicken droppings and pig dung) to fertilise aquaculture ponds. Among farmers representing twenty farms who were surveyed during 2019, only six farmers representing six farms said they used antimicrobials. These included oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sulphonamides. Farmers doubted the benefits of using antimicrobials to treat aquatic animals; some believed antimicrobials stunted growth. The high cost of medicines and prohibitive regulations also discouraged antimicrobial use. Farmers linked disease occurrence to changes in the weather, the emergence of new diseases and variable water quality. They relied on farm management practices to maintain the health of their aquatic animals, using lime and ...