Authors SAPUVETNET project. Universidade de Evora. Polo da Mitra. 7002-554. Evora (Portugal).

1. SAPUVET AND SAPUVETNET Projects; A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MORE PRUDENT USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS. SAPUVET philosophy: A contribution towards advancement of education in Veterinary Public Health (VPH) Through mutual cooperation between the European Union and Latin America Authors SAPUVETNET project. Universidade de Evora. Polo da Mitra. 7002-554. Evora (Portugal). Contact: S. Górniak (gorniak@usp.br); C. Ortega (epidemio@unizar.es); M. Vilhena (mmcv@uevora.pt) SAPUVET and SAPUVETNET III (n. DCI-LA/2008/75) are a series of projects, co-financed under the EU ALFA programme for the last 8 years, aimed to support an Veterinary Public Health (VPH) educational network.Latin-American and European Veterinary schools and some international organizations are contributing to the success of the project RESULTS OF THE PROJECT Proposal of a common VPH curriculum, Design of teaching material such as videos, case studies and a manual on VPH, Organization of some e-conferences Design and publication of the “One Health” journal Elaboration of a free domaine web site: http://www.sapuvetnet.org KNOWLEDGE OF THE USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED RESISTANCE HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE AND A CONCERN THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT VPH manual SAPUVET network use of antimicrobial related products Journal Newsletter Manuscript: “the problem of antibiotics’ resistance in public health” Case studies /web-site e- conferences Development of the chapter “Bacterial resistance; control strategies, good practices and prudent use of antimicrobials” Comments and discussions about resistant microorganisms took place into the group A series of case studies regarding health problems linked to the use of antimicrobials have been included in the learning materials LOCAL PRACTICES IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE USE OF MEDICATIONS AND RESISTANCE TO ANTMICROBIALS: CONSEQUENCES IN PUBLIC HEALTH PRUDENT USE OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN ANIMALS: SOLUTION OR UTOPIA? Multiresistant Salmonella enterica Thyphimurium in human and animal populations Multiresistance to antibiotics of porcine origin Relapsed multirresistant infection in a Golden dog Residum of antimicrobial substances in bovine mest and viscera Some opinions defend that the use of certain specific antimicrobials as additives makes sense in some circumstances, as long as it is done with serious and strict control There are differences in the use of antimicrobials in various countries, particularly considering the different approaches towards animal health management and hygiene. Regulation of the use of antimicrobials from the legal standpoint and surveillance programs are necessary. Ethics of health workers are the key to solving the problem. There is concern regarding the inappropriate use of other chemical products and their relationship with antimicrobial resistance. The group agrees with the most correct use of the term “antimicrobials” to describe any substance that kills microorganisms, including natural compounds, produced or not by microorganisms and synthetic antimicrobial compounds, instead of the more restricted term, “antibiotic” All professionals agree that veterinarians should work towards sanitary planning and in preventive medicine to avoid the use of antimicrobials The opinions expressed by the group are not necessarily the opinions of the EU or those of the Alfa program