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)

/in , , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

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)

/in , , , , , , , /by

 

 

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)

/in , , , , , /by

 

 

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)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

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

332- Danish Stable Schools for Experiential Common Learning in Groups of Organic Dairy Farmers (Research paper – Vaarst – 2007)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

332 Research paper – Vaarst – 2007 – Danish Stable Schools for Experiential Common Learning in Groups of Organic Dairy Farmers

In Significant Impact Groups: Prudent use AB \ Farmer
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
The farmer field school (FFS) is a concept for farmers’ learning, knowledge exchange, and empowerment. In Denmark, a research project focusing on explicit nonantibiotic strategies involves farmers who have actively expressed an interest in phasing out antibiotics from their herds through promotion of animal health. An FFS approach was adapted to Danish conditions and named “stable schools.” A facilitator was connected to each group whose role was to write the meeting agenda together with the host farmer, direct the meeting, and write the minutes to send to the group members after the meeting. Complex farming situations were the focus of all groups and in this context, problems were identified and solutions proposed based on each farmer’s individual goals. In this article, we describe the experiences of 4 stable school groups (each comprising farmers and a facilitator), and the process of building a concept suitable for Danish organic dairy farming.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030207717526; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-607
Country: DK

331- Social influences on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows (Research paper – Swinkels – 2015)

/in , , , , , , , /by

 

 

331 Research paper – Swinkels – 2015 – Social influences on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Summary:
The aim of this study was to explore the social factors influencing farmers’ decision-making on the duration of antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis. Extended treatment is perceived as part of the social norm of “being a good farmer.” The participants’ perception was that mastitis is not treated “thoroughly” if clinical symptoms were still visible at the time of cessation of treatment. Groups with whom the farmer identifies and regularly communicates face to face, such as other farmers, the herd veterinarian, and other farm advisors, confirm the farmer’s judgment on extending treatment and influences him or her toward socially accepted behavior. Legislation may reduce antibiotic usage, if doable and controllable. Evidence-based information on treatment efficacy or practical on-farm decision support indicating when to end treatment may be able to change social norms of “thorough” treatment, especially when communicated by a group such as veterinarians.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030215000879; http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8488
Country: NL; DE

330 – Factors potentially linked with the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in selected bacteria from cattle chickens and pigs – A scoping review (Research paper – Murphy – 2018)

/in , , , , , /by

 

 

330 Research paper – Murphy – 2018 – Factors potentially linked with the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in selected bacteria from cattle chickens and pigs_A scoping review

In Significant Impact Groups: Other
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Beef;
Age: Young; Adult;
Summary:
Antimicrobial resistance is a complex issue with a large volume of published literature, and there is a need for synthesis of primary studies for an integrated understanding of this topic. A comprehensive literature search and screening were performed to identify studies investigating factors potentially linked with antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter species, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica along the farm‐to‐fork pathway (farm, abattoir (slaughter houses) and retail meats) for the major Canadian livestock species (beef cattle, broiler chicken and pigs). The most common factors identified were antimicrobial use and type of farm management system (e.g., antibiotic‐free, organic). There are still insufficient research done on the effect of vaccination, industry‐specific factors (e.g., livestock density) and factors at sites other than farm along the agri‐food chain. Further investigation of these factors and other relevant industry activities are needed in order to identify effective interventions to decrease antimicrobial resistance along the agri‐food chain.

Where to find the original material: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/zph.12515; https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12515
Country: CA

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

/in , , , , /by

 

 

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)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

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)

/in , , , , /by

 

 

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