87 Biosensors for on-farm diagnosis of mastitis (Research paper, Martins, 2019)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Precision Livestock Farming & Early detection \ Sensor technology ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy; Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Mastitis indicative markers

Summary: Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by a large number of infectious agents with devastating consequences for the dairy industry. Management of mastitis usually means using antibiotics to treat and prevent the disease, which can be problematic because of increased antimicrobial resistance. Typical diagnostic methods are based on somatic cell counts (SCC) and plate-culture techniques. But these methods are not quick and there is quite a lot of interest in making faster solutions that could provide onsite information, which would speed up the choice of treatment.

Biosensors are tools that can convert the presence of biological particles into an electric signal. Together with microfluidics, biosensors can be used in the development of automated and portable diagnostic devices. This review describes current approaches for mastitis diagnosis and the latest outcomes in biosensors and lab-on-chip devices with the potential to become real alternatives to standard practices.

Research paper: Martins – 2019 – Biosensors for on-farm diagnosis of mastitis – https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00186
Where to find the original material (in English):
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00186/full;

Country: Portugal
Tags: dairy, mastitis, diagnositcs

87 Research paper – Martins – 2019 – Biosensors for on-farm diagnosis of mastitis

86 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians (Research paper; Kittl, 2020)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Different for different species;
Outcome Parameter(s): MRSA prevalence in livestock at the slaughterhouse; MRSA prevalence in meat at retail outlets; Prevalence in veterinarians and farmers
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can lead to serious disease in humans, and since this bacteria is often found in livestock can have potentially large impact on public health. Farmers and veterinarians are especially at risk due to their close contact with animals. Our work demonstrates a dramatic increase in MRSA prevalence in Swiss pigs, from 2% in 2009 to 44% in 2017. Sequencing of the bacterial genes allowed us to show a close association between farmer and pig strains as well as veterinarian and horse strains, indicating that pigs and horses are a likely to be a source of human colonization. In this study it was also shown pig spa t011 strains are probably less likely to colonize humans than are pig spa t034 strains. This research may provide a basis for a more accurate risk assessment and preventive measures.
86 Research paper – Kittl – 2020 – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians
Where to find the original material:
https://aem.asm.org/content/86/5/e01865-19.abstract; https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01865-19
Country: CH

86 Research paper – Kittl – 2020 – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Swiss Pigs and Their Relation to Isolates from Farmers and Veterinarians

85 A ‘meta-analysis’ of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens (Research paper; De Jong, 2017)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health \ Feeding management – Feeding management ; Water
Species targeted: Poultry;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): body weight; cumulative food intake; FCR; mortality; relative yolk sac weight
Summary: This study reports results collected in other studies showing that post-hatch food deprivation or food and water deprivation (PHFWD) for approximately 24 hours can lead to significantly lower body weights compared to early fed chickens up to six weeks of age. Body weights and food intake were reduced more the longer the food and water deprivation lasted. PHFWD also has negative effects on the development of liver and pancreas, and delay the development of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. These effects were observed mainly in the first week of age. As a conclusion, findings also suggest a chicken welfare is lowered for PHFWD, however, additional studies are recommended on the effect of PHFWD containing a wider range of variables, including behaviour and disease resistance, in the short-term as well as long-term.
85 Research paper – de Jong – 2017 – A meta-analysis of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens
Where to find the original material:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5728577/; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189350
Country: NL

85 Research paper – de Jong – 2017 – A meta-analysis of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens

84 A longitudinal field trial assessing the impact of feeding waste milk containing antibiotic residues on the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in calves (Research paper, Brunton, 2014)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management ; Feed / gut health
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): calf health; proportion of calves shedding CTX-M-positive E. coli
Summary: A field trial was done on a farm known to have resistant Escherichia coli, in order to understand if feeding calves with waste milk with antibiotic residues (WM + AR ) could lead to detecting more resistant bacteria in the faeces of calves. The findings of this study indicate that feeding waste milk with antibiotic residues on this farm increases the amount of resistant bacteria shed in the faeces. Resistant E. coli persists for longer after weaning in calves fed WM+AR. These findings are applicable to the situation observed on this farm, but may differ on other farms depending on contents of the waste milk or level of contamination in the farm. Still, antibiotics used on this farm were are commonly used in dairy farms in in England and Wales, so results shown can give an idea of what to expect in those types of farms.
84 Research paper – Brunton – 2014 – A longitudinal field trial assessing the impact of feeding waste milk containing antibiotic residues on the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in calves
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587714002578; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.08.005
Country: UK

84 Research paper – Brunton – 2014 – A longitudinal field trial assessing the impact of feeding waste milk containing antibiotic residues on the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in calves

82 A participatory approach to design monitoring indicators of production diseases in organic dairy farms (Research paper; Duval, 2016)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Other
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Young;Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): herd health indicators
Summary: The participatory approach used in these studies in France and Sweden led to the design of indicators that permit farmers to monitor simultaneously the major health and welfare indicators associated with production diseases in dairy cattle. The indicators were farm-specific, adapted to the farmer’s objectives, herd health situations and/or decision-making processes. Therefore, when designing decision support tools for farmers, scientists should not aim at ‘one-size fits all’ tools. The analysis of the discussions between farmers and advisors on the indicators revealed that scientists and farmers use herd health indicators differently. While scientists use indicators for between-herd comparisons, farmers are interested in within-herd comparisons. This participatory approach also created a dialogue between farmers and advisors, allowing advisors to understand animal health management as an integral part of the farm system and the farmer’s objectives. This understanding is crucial for advisors aiming to contribute to animal health planning activities of all farmers.
82 Research paper – Duval – 2016 – A participatory approach to design monitoring indicators of production diseases in organic dairy farms
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587716301064; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.04.001
Country: FR; SE

82 Research paper – Duval – 2016 – A participatory approach to design monitoring indicators of production diseases in organic dairy farms

81 Evaluation of two communication strategies to improve udder health management (Research report – Jansen, 2010)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals \ Targeted use of antibiotics ; Biosecurity
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): improve udder health management; incidence of clinical mastistis; bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC)
Summary: This study shows that communication strategies to change farmers’ management practices can be improved when both the aim of the strategy and farmers’ motivational differences to work on udder health are taken into account. When aiming at complex issues such as udder health, the traditional central route using educational tools seems to be effective in reaching the motivated farmers. In addition to the central route, the peripheral route can be applied to influence farmers’ behavior by including implicit persuasion techniques instead of arguments in campaigns. This route is especially effective for single management practices and when aiming at a less complicated message. To reach as many farmers as possible, both communication strategies should be used. The communication strategies described in this paper are examples of how management practices to control mastitis can be effectively communicated to farmers, which can be used in optimizing future programs to control and prevent diseases.
81 Research paper – Jansen – 2010 – Evaluation of two communication strategies to improve udder health management
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030210715034; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2531
Country: NL

81 Research paper – Jansen – 2010 – Evaluation of two communication strategies to improve udder health management

80 Antimicrobial consumption on Austrian dairy farms: an observational study of udder disease treatments based on veterinary medication records ( Research paper; Firth, 2017)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use ; Pathogen management
Species targeted: Dairy;Beef;
Age: Young;Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Antimicrobial use; Udder health
Summary: Since 2015, veterinarians have been required by law to report antimicrobials dispensed to farmers for use in food-producing animals. The study presented here collected data on antimicrobials dispensed to farmers and those administered by veterinarians.
Results show that dairy cattle in the study population in Austria were treated with antimicrobial agents at a relatively low and infrequent defined daily dose rate. The most frequently used antimicrobial group with respect to mastitis treatments was the beta-lactams, primarily penicillins, with third and fourth generation cephalosporins the most commonly used highest priority critically important antimicrobials with respect to both the proportion of herds treated and the number of defined daily doses administered per cow and year.
80 Research paper – Firth – 2017 – Antimicrobial consumption on Austrian dairy farms_ an observational study of udder disease treatments based on veterinary medication records
Where to find the original material:
https://peerj.com/articles/4072/; https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4072
Country: AT

80 Research paper – Firth – 2017 – Antimicrobial consumption on Austrian dairy farms_ an observational study of udder disease treatments based on veterinary medication records

79 Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage (Research paper; Jensen, 2004)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Sheep;
Age: Young; Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Antimicrobial use
Summary: Standardized statistics are necessary for international comparison of usage, monitoring of national drug usage and for comparative studies of drug use. The defined animal daily dose is a better measure than the weight of active compound, but interpretation of trends in drug consumption also should include current knowledge of changes in the prescribed daily doses. To enable direct comparison of usage, the number of animals in the target population should be used as a baseline. Depending on the scope, information on number of animals may be obtained from different sources (such as animal-production data, existing registers or direct contact with the individual farmers). Application of standardized statistics will improve the basis for research and the ability to respond to problems of antimicrobial resistance in a targeted way and to evaluate the effect of informative or regulative measures taken to ensure prudent use.
79 Research paper – Jensen – 2004 – Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587704000868; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2004.04.001
Country: DK

79 Research paper – Jensen – 2004 – Veterinary antimicrobial-usage statistics based on standardized measures of dosage

77 Quantitative analysis of antimicrobial use on British dairy farms (Research paper; Hyde, 2017)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Antimicrobial use
Summary: Levels of antimicrobial usage (AMU) within the livestock industry have been cause of concern in connection to antimicrobial resistance. In order to identify factors associated with high AMU and set threshold for antimicrobial use (benchmarks) for dairy cattle AMU, data was gathered from 358 dairy farms using different types of methods.
Data analysis indicated that usage of antibiotics via oral and footbath routes increased the odds of a farm being part of the top antimicrobial users. While dairy cattle farm AMU was apparently lower than UK livestock average, some farms had extremely high AMU. Identification of these high use farms may be effective in targeting AMU reduction strategies and help reduce overall dairy cattle AMU.
77 Research paper – Hyde – 2017 – Quantitative analysis of antimicrobial use on British dairy farms
Where to find the original material:
https://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/vetrec/early/2017/12/06/vr.104614.full.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104614
Country: UK

77 Research paper – Hyde – 2017 – Quantitative analysis of antimicrobial use on British dairy farms

76 The effect of a national mastitis control program on the attitudes, knowledge, and behavior of farmers in the Netherlands (Research paper; Jansen, 2010)

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use ; Prudent use AB
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Average annual bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC); Udder health
Summary: This study aimed to explore the effect of a national mastitis control program on Dutch farmers’ attitudes, knowledge, and behavior regarding mastitis.
Dairy farmers completed a survey on attitudes, knowledge, and behavior regarding mastitis before the start of a national mastitis control program in 2004, and 204 completed a similar survey in the final year of the program (2009). Although the average annual bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) remained the same, the farmers’ self-reported attitudes, knowledge, and behavior changed significantly. The results show that a national mastitis control program can be successful in changing attitudes, knowledge, and behavior regarding mastitis. Results suggest an association between a change in BMSCC on individual farms and a change in attitudes, knowledge, and behavior. Although more research is needed to identify the long-term effect of these changes, this study can contribute to an increased understanding of the effects of animal health programs.
76 Research paper – Jansen – 2010 – The effect of a national mastitis control program on the attitudes knowledge and behavior of farmers in the Netherlands
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030210006235; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3318
Country: NL

76 Research paper – Jansen – 2010 – The effect of a national mastitis control program on the attitudes knowledge and behavior of farmers in the Netherlands