Antimicrobial practices for Mycoplasma infections in cattle: a survey of veterinary practitioners in light of current scientific evidence and national guidelines.

Avoid beta-lactams and sulfonamides for bovine mycoplasma; prioritize macrolides, florfenicol, or tetracyclines guided by AST.

Mycoplasmas are significant bovine pathogens responsible for respiratory disease, mastitis, and arthritis, yet their unique microbiological characteristics complicate diagnosis, treatment, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). This international survey, conducted by the MyMIC consortium across 40 countries with 270 cattle veterinarian respondents, represents the first global investigation of diagnostic and therapeutic practices for bovine mycoplasmosis. PCR was identified as the most frequently employed diagnostic tool, while culture and AST were underutilized despite their clinical value. Macrolides, florfenicol, and tetracyclines were the antimicrobials most commonly prescribed, consistent with current guidelines. However, notable deviations from best practices were identified, including the use of inherently ineffective drug classes such as beta-lactams and trimethoprim/sulfonamides—agents with no reliable activity against mycoplasmas due to the absence of a cell wall—as well as inappropriate use of critically important antimicrobials and suboptimal dosing or treatment duration regimens. These findings highlight significant gaps in practitioner knowledge and the absence of standardized, internationally recognized AST protocols for livestock mycoplasmas. The authors advocate for coordinated efforts to increase AST utilization, disseminate updated treatment guidelines, and establish standardized diagnostic procedures. The MyMIC consortium's inventory of antimicrobial use and resistance surveillance data provides a foundation for improved antimicrobial stewardship in livestock systems. Continued investment in this initiative is recommended to mitigate resistance development and optimize outcomes in cattle affected by mycoplasmoses.

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