Determination of breakpoints for veterinary antimicrobial substances for resistance assessment of veterinary pathogens

This article describes the meaning of the term clinical breakpoint. This is followed by a discussion of the parameters that need to be considered when setting valid breakpoints for active substances in veterinary medicine; in doing so we closely follow equivalent regulations and guidelines on the es tablishment of breakpoints in human medicine. Along with pharmacokinetic da ta and the results of clinical efficacy tests, susceptibility data of relev ant organisms play a key role in the establishment of breakpoints. Publishe d breakpoints are currently only available for a few modern drugs in veteri nary medicine.