341 – Yeast-secreted dried and food-admixed monomeric IgA prevents gastrointestinal infection in a piglet model (Research paper – Virdi – 2019)

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341 Research paper – Virdi – 2019 – Yeast-secreted dried and food-admixed monomeric IgA prevents gastrointestinal infection in a piglet model

In Significant Impact Groups: Feed / gut health \ Feed additives and supplements
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
With the rapidly increasing knowledge of the role of the gut microbiome in diverse aspects of human and veterinary health, antibody-type drug-mediated methodology to specifically interfere with the microbiome or host factors in the gut is needed. Oral antibodies that interfere with gastrointestinal targets and can be manufactured at scale are needed. This paper shows that a single-gene-encoded monomeric immunoglobulin A (IgA)-like antibody, composed of camelid variable single domain antibodies (VHH) fused to IgA Fc (mVHH-IgA), prevents infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F4-ETEC) in piglets. The mVHH-IgA can be produced in soybean seeds or secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris, freeze- or spraydried and orally delivered within food. Future farm-based trials en route translation of this application, will enable impact assessment of mVHH-IgA on F4-ETEC-caused diarrhea and weight loss.

Where to find the original material: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0070-x ; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0070-x
Country: BE

336- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of antimicrobial usage patterns in 180 selected farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries (Research paper – Sarrazin – 2018)

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336 Research paper – Sarrazin – 2018 – Quantitative and qualitative analysis of antimicrobial usage patterns in 180 selected farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Objectives: Farm-level quantification of antimicrobial usage (AMU) in pig farms.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, AMU data on group treatments administered to a single batch of fattening pigs from birth to slaughter (group treatment data) and antimicrobials purchased during 1 year (purchase data) were collected at 180 pig farms in nine European countries. AMU was quantified using treatment incidence (TI) based on defined (DDDvet) and used (UDDvet) daily doses and defined (DCDvet) and used (UCDvet) course doses.
Results: The majority of antimicrobial group treatments were administered to weaners (69.5% of total TIDDDvet) followed by sucklers (22.5% of total TIDDDvet). AMU varied considerably between farms with a median TIDDDvet of 9.2 and 7.1 for a standardized rearing period of 200 days based on group treatment and purchase data, respectively. In general, UDDvet and UCDvet were higher than DDDvet and DCDvet, respectively, suggesting that either the defined doses were set too low or that group treatments were often dosed too high and/or administered for too long. Extended-spectrum penicillins (31.2%) and polymyxins (24.7%) were the active substances most often used in group treatments, with the majority administered through feed or water (82%). Higher AMU at a young age was associated with higher use in older pigs.
Conclusions: Collecting farm-level AMU data of good quality is challenging and results differ based on how data are collected (group treatment data versus purchase data) and reported (defined versus used daily and course doses).

Where to find the original material: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30544242/; https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dky503
Country: BE, BG, DK, FR, DE, IT, PL, ES, NL

335 – Selectively drying off of dairy cows impact on future performance and antimicrobial consumption (Research report – Lipkens – 2019)

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335 Research report – Lipkens – 2019 – Selectively drying off of dairy cows impact on future performance and antimicrobial consumption

Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals; Targeted use of antibiotics; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Test-day somatic cell counts (SCC) before drying off and after calving were used to determine cow’s udder health across the dry period and to study the impact on the performance in the next lactation. Test-day data before drying off were explored to evaluate their diagnostic ability to detect noninfected cows at the time of drying off in 15 commercial dairy herds with an adequate udder health management. We confirmed that SCC information via milk recording is capable of predicting the absence of IMI with major pathogens at dry-off, yet (an estimate of) the herd prevalence of subclinical mastitis, the cow’s milk yield and parity impact the estimates of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values to some extent. We concluded that implementing selective dry cow treatment to reduce the antimicrobial use on commercial dairy herds, using strict selection criteria and test-day information, is possible without jeopardizing udder health or milk yield.

Where to find the original material: https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8613317;
Country: BE

334- Reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in colostrum_ Development and validation of 2 methods (Research paper – Verhegghe – 2017)

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334 Research paper – Verhegghe – 2017 – Reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in colostrum_ Development and validation of 2 methods one based on curdling and one based on ce

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to develop and validate 2 protocols (for use on-farm and at a central location) for the reduction of Mycobacterium avium ssp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) in colostrum while preserving beneficial immunoglobulins (IgG). The on-farm protocol was based on curdling of the colostrum, where the IgG remain in the whey and the MAP bacteria are trapped in the curd. The semi-industrial protocol was based on centrifugation, which causes MAP to precipitate, while the IgG remain in the supernatant. The effect of the colostrum treatment on the nutritional value and palatability of the colostrum and the IgG transfer was assessed in calves. The treated colostrum had no negative impact on animal health, IgG uptake in the blood serum, milk, or forage uptake. Two protocols to reduce MAP in colostrum (for use on-farm or at a central location) were developed and both methods preserve the vital IgG.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030217302436; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12355
Country: BE

333- Preliminary study of the effect of sow washing as performed on the farm on livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin status of the sow’s skin or nares (Research paper – Verhegghe – 2013)

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333 Research paper – Verhegghe – 2013 – Preliminary study of the effect of sow washing as performed on the farm on livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin stat

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity \Internal biosecurity; Animal
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
Washing sows on four Belgian pig farms positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) had no significant effect on MRSA status of the sow’s skin or nares. In 64% of cases, the same strain was detected before and after washing.

Where to find the original material: https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v21n6/v21n6p313.html;
Country: BE

329 – Comparison of competitive exclusion with classical cleaning and disinfection on bacterial load in pig nursery units (Research paper – Luyckx – 2016)

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329 Research paper – Luyckx – 2016 – Comparison of competitive exclusion with classical cleaning and disinfection on bacterial load in pig nursery units

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Colonization of the environment of nursery units by pathogenic micro-organisms is an important factor in the persistence and spread of endemic diseases in pigs and zoonotic pathogens. These pathogens are generally controlled by the use of antibiotics and disinfectants. Since an increasing resistance against these measures has been reported in recent years, methods such as competitive exclusion (CE) are promoted as promising alternatives. Results in this study showed despite sufficient administration of probiotic-type spores, the analysed bacteria did not decrease in number after 3 production rounds in CE units, indicating no competitive exclusion. There was also no effect on feed conversion and faecal consistency (indicator for enteric diseases) was noticed. These results indicate that the CE protocol is not a valuable alternative for classical Cleaning & Disinfection protocols.

Where to find the original material: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-016-0810-9; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0810-9
Country: BE

328 – A 10-day vacancy period after cleaning and disinfection has no effect on the bacterial load in pig nursery units (Research paper – Luyckx – 2016)

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328 Research paper – Luyckx – 2016 – A 10-day vacancy period after cleaning and disinfection has no effect on the bacterial load in pig nursery units

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Summary:
Biosecurity measures such as cleaning, disinfection and a vacancy period between production cycles on pig farms are essential to prevent disease outbreaks. However, no studies have tested the effect of a longer vacancy period on bacterial load in nursery units. This study evaluates the effect of a 10-day vacancy period in pig nursery units on total aerobic flora, Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, faecal coliforms and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Three vacancy periods of 10 days were monitored, each time applied in 3 units. The microbiological load was measured before disinfection and at 1, 4, 7 and 10 days after disinfection. Results show that prolonging the vacancy period in nursery units to 10 days after disinfection with no extra biosecurity measures has no impact on the environmental load of total aerobic flora, E. coli, faecal coliforms, MRSA and Enterococcus spp.

Where to find the original material: https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-016-0850-1; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0850-1
Country: BE

327 – On-farm comparisons of different cleaning protocols in broiler houses (Research paper – Luyckx – 2015)

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327 Research paper – Luyckx – 2015 – On-farm comparisons of different cleaning protocols in broiler houses

In Significant Impact Groups: Biosecurity
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;Adult;
Summary:
The present study evaluated the effectiveness of 4 cleaning protocols designed to reduce the bacteriological infection pressure on broiler farms and prevent food-borne zoonoses. Additionally, difficult to clean locations and possible sources of infection were identified. Cleaning and disinfection rounds were evaluated in by sampling 12 broiler houses on 5 farms. Bacterial counts counts on the swab samples showed that cleaning protocols which were preceded by an overnight soaking with water caused a higher bacterial reduction compared to protocols without a preceding soaking step. Moreover, soaking of broiler houses leads to less water consumption and reduced working time during high pressure cleaning. No differences were found between protocols using cold or warm water during cleaning. Drinking cups, drain holes, and floor cracks were identified as critical locations for cleaning and disinfection in broiler houses.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119322308; https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pev143
Country: BE

326 – Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals Part 2 (Research paper – Hoelzer – 2018)

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326 Research paper – Hoelzer – 2018 – Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals Part 2

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Vaccination; Specific alternatives
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep; Other;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
This article highlights new approaches and potential solutions for the development of vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics in food producing animals. Many current vaccines fall short of ideal vaccines in one or more respects. Promising breakthroughs to overcome these limitations include new biotechnology techniques, new oral vaccine approaches, novel adjuvants, new delivery strategies based on bacterial spores, and live recombinant vectors; they also include new vaccination strategies in-ovo, and strategies that simultaneously protect against multiple pathogens. However, translating this research into commercial vaccines that effectively reduce the need for antibiotics will require close collaboration among stakeholders, for instance through public–private partnerships. Targeted research and development investments and concerted efforts by all affected are needed to realize the potential of vaccines to improve animal health, safeguard agricultural productivity, and reduce antibiotic consumption and resulting resistance risks.

Where to find the original material: https://veterinaryresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13567-018-0561-7?optIn=true; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-018-0561-7
Country: USA; UK; FR; BE; DE

325- Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals Part 1 (Research paper – Hoelzer – 2018)

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325 Research paper – Hoelzer – 2018 – Vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics for food producing animals Part 1

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Vaccination; Specific alternatives
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Vaccines and other alternative products can help minimize the need for antibiotics by preventing and controlling infectious diseases in animal populations, and are central to the future success of animal agriculture. This article, synthesizes and expands on the expert panel discussions regarding opportunities, challenges and needs for the development of vaccines that may reduce the need for use of antibiotics in animals. Vaccines are widely used to prevent infections in food animals. Various studies have demonstrated that their animal agricultural use can lead to significant reductions in antibiotic consumption, making them promising alternatives to antibiotics. To be widely used in food producing animals, vaccines have to be safe, effective, easy to use, and cost-effective. Although vaccines have the potential to improve animal health, safeguard agricultural productivity, and reduce antibiotic consumption and resulting resistance risks, targeted research and development investments and concerted efforts are needed to realize that potential.

Where to find the original material: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13567-018-0560-8; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-018-0560-8
Country: USA; UK; FR; BE; DE