THERAPEUTICAL USAGE OF FLUOROQUINOLONES IN POULTRY PRODUCTION INFLUENCE ON MEAT SAFETY – RESIDUES IN EDIBLE TISSUES

Abstract

Current most important side effects of antimicrobial drugs usage are veterinary drug residues in edible animal tissues and development of resistance in food borne pathogens. Enrofloxacine and flumequine are fluoroquinolone antimicrobials licensed in Serbia for use in poultry treatment. Elimination of health risk for consumers is usually made by examination of the target tissue residues of flumequine and enrofloxacine (with its main metabolite ciprofloxacine). After correct application of enrofloxacine and flumequine tissue residue levels descrease to permitted quantities (below MRL) (Maximum Residue Limit) in prescribed withdrawal period. But even after expiration of withdrawal period residues of enrofloxacine are still present in edible animal tissues. Residues of enrofloxacine below MRL can be detected in meat nine days after the end of treatment, however, residues in liver are present much longer. The residues were detected in liver until 22nd post treatment day.