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Indicator 4.4.8
by Contact on 8 October 2026
Requirement
Indicator applicability: every UoC using antibiotic treatments. The UoC shall monitor for antibiotic resistance by carrying out antibiotic sensitivity testing either: a) before or during each antibiotic treatment; or b) at regular intervals.
How Do I Interpret This Requirement?
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Awareness of the epidemiological situation at a regional level may be relevant.
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It is recommended that antibiotic sensitivity testing is carried out prior to the start of any antibiotic treatment:
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Test results should be used to assist the veterinarian or aquatic animal health professional in selecting the most adequate antibiotic.
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Test results should be combined with clinical and postmortem examinations of the animals.
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Other laboratory tests should be considered if deemed appropriate. In acute cases, treatment might need to be initiated immediately to avoid animal suffering or the spread of infection. It is still advisable to collect samples immediately prior to the start of treatment:
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The results can be used to validate the choice of antibiotic, epidemiological follow-up and future treatments.
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In some cases, the relative lack of standardised and validated methods for culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing for a significant number of bacterial species of aquatic importance might mean this is not possible.
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In such cases, efforts should be placed towards developing alternative monitoring processes.
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Evidence of Implementation
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Health reports.
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Testing results.
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Revision and discussion of disease surveillance and monitoring programmes.
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Especially for those bacterial infections where limited laboratory tests are available or where bacteria are fastidious and difficult to grow.
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For recurring bacterial infections, the site should demonstrate efforts to isolate and characterise the problematic strains and test them periodically (at least on a cyclical basis) for antibiotic resistance.
Auditors Should Confirm
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Existence of health reports and testing results.
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Disease surveillance and monitoring programmes.
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Especially for those bacterial infectious where limited laboratory tests are available or where bacteria are fastidious and difficult to grow.
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For recurring bacterial infections, the site should demonstrate efforts to isolate and characterise the problematic strains and test them periodically (at least on a cyclical basis) for antibiotic resistance.