Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious public health concern worldwide. The European Union requires a reduction in the use of antibiotics by 50% by 2030, with separate regulations on organic production that give preference to homeopathy and phytotherapy in organic farms before the use of conventional medicines (including antibiotics). We have therefore designed a two-phased project whose overarching aim is to investigate the potential role of homeopathic medicinal products (HMPs) in combating AMR in turkeys (the HOMAMR project): a two-cohort feasibility study using turkey-farm data that have been collected and analyzed retrospectively, followed by a prospective two-cohort study in turkey farms that would examine the impact of HMPs on changing antibiotic use.

Objective The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol for the first phase of HOMAMR, which is a study under field conditions to assess the feasibility of collecting data retrospectively about turkeys that have been managed conventionally only or with HMPs.

Methods Surveys performed on farms in Germany and Austria, including interviews with consenting farmers, will determine the feasibility of comparing retrospectively gathered data on antibiotic use and performance/production data in two cohorts of turkeys: (1) homeopathic treatment with conventional care (antibiotics) added if necessary or (2) conventional care (antibiotics) only. Co-primary outcomes to be studied are the amount of antimicrobial use and production period-related mortality. In addition, other production/performance parameters will be compared between the two treated cohorts.

Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study on the treatment of turkeys using homeopathy, and whose retrospectively obtained data will inform a prospective study that would examine the impact of HMPs on antibiotic use in commercial turkey raising, fattening and breeding production.

S.B.B., A.K., M.D., L.S.S., D.M., B.U.S., M.A.S. and P.W. made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the study. P.W., A.K., M.D., S.B.B., L.S.S., D.M., B.U.S. and M.A.S drafted the article or revised it critically for important intellectual content. A.K., M.D., D.M., P.W., S.B.B., B.U.S., L.S.S. and M.A.S. (all authors) gave final approval of the submitted manuscript. S.B.B., A.K., M.D., L.S.S., D.M., B.U.S., M.A.S. and P.W. (all authors) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Received: 24 July 2023

Accepted: 21 December 2023

Article published online:
04 April 2024

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