Also known as metaphylactic use, this is administering therapeutic doses of antimicrobials to groups of animals to prevent the spread of clinical disease once some animals in the group show symptoms.

The collection of all the microbial genes in the microbiota.

The community of micro-organisms living together in a particular habitat.

Laboratory techniques for investigating resistant bacteria based on the analysis of molecules such as DNA, RNA and protein. 

The intermittent performance and analysis of routine measurements and observations, aimed at detecting changes in the environment or health status of a population.

Resistance to more than one antimicrobial.