In lower- and middle-income countries, uncontrolled use of antibiotics is causing antimicrobial resistance, affecting both animal welfare and public health. Meanwhile, studies on antibiotic use in these countries are limited. A crucial step to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to examine the use of these drugs and identify its determinants. The aim of our study, the first of its kind in Lebanon, was to assess dairy farmers' knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR. For this, 18 farmers from different regions, educational backgrounds, experience levels, and herd sizes were interviewed. Results showed that owners of larger farms were more aware of AMU and AMR, and trying to implement preventive actions, whereas nonsystematic antimicrobial use was prevalent among the smaller farms. Mastitis and laminitis were the most treated diseases, and antibiotics used were oxytetracycline, penicillin, streptomycin, and florfenicol. Overall, antibiotic use was found as a preventive measure and a treatment of nonbacterial diseases. Irregular uses were linked to easy access of farmers to antibiotics, interrupted relations with veterinary authorities, and lack of self-assessment and inspection. Lebanese dairy farmers and owners reported feeling disadvantaged in their local trade field, facing illegal competition and unauthorized farms and industries, and lacking support from the government. Training and awareness programs must be implemented, and policies and regulations must be set, to reduce antibiotic use and hinder the spread of AMR in Lebanon.

Brucellosis is a recognized zoonotic disease caused by various Brucella species with significant economic and animal welfare ramifications worldwide. The spread of brucellosis from domestic livestock and wild animals, as well as its emergence in new regions, present novel epidemiological challenges. The consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products from unsanitary farms in endemic areas poses a serious risk to public health from brucellosis. Determining the accurate prevalence of brucellosis, particularly in regions with persistently high prevalence, basically requires careful and frequent surveillance. Furthermore, transmission and detection of the illness in non-endemic areas have become more complex due to global human and animal migration as well as the trade in animal products. This review presents an updated understanding of brucellosis, covering its classification and taxonomy, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment approaches, epidemiology, available control and prevention measures, antimicrobial resistance and the role of metal uptake in bacterial virulence. It highlights the consequences of brucellosis for global health and underscores the need for continuous research, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary cooperation for effective disease control and prevention.