344 – Usage of Antibiotics in Agricultural Livestock in the Netherlands in 2017 Trends and benchmarking of livestock farms and veterinarians (Research report – Sda – 2018)

/in , , , , , , , /by

 

 

344 Research report – Sda – 2018 – Usage of Antibiotics in Agricultural Livestock in the Netherlands in 2017 Trends and benchmarking of livestock farms and veterinarians

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy; Beef; Other;
Age: Different for different species;
Summary:
In 2017, the turkey and broiler farming sectors managed to substantially reduce their antibiotic use in terms of defined daily doses animal (DDDANAT). They achieved reductions of 23.7% and 7.8%, respectively. Less prominent reductions of 3.6% and 1.9% were observed for the veal and pig farming sectors, respectively. The cattle farming sector’s usage level increased slightly over the 2016-2017 period, by 2.2%. In 2017, no distinct shifts towards lower benchmark zones occurred in the veal farming sector. The pig farming sector saw an undesirable rise in the percentage of farms with weaner pigs recording action zone usage levels. This development was due to the new benchmark thresholds introduced in 2016.The SDa expert panel recommends paying special attention to outlier farms. In 2017, sales of antibiotics in terms of kilograms of active substances amounted to 181,097 kg.

Where to find the original material: https://www.autoriteitdiergeneesmiddelen.nl/en/news/28/sda-report-usage-of-antibiotics-in-agricultural-livestock-in-the-netherlands-in-2017 ;
Country: NL

343 – Associations between antimicrobial use and the prevalence of resistant micro-organisms Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance data (Research report – Sda – 2016)

/in , , , , , , , /by

343 Research report – Sda – 2016 – Associations between antimicrobial use and the prevalence of resistant micro-organisms Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance dat

In Significant Impact Groups: AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance; Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Beef;
Age: Young;
Summary:
An expert panel analyzed the relationship between antimicrobial use in the Dutch livestock sector and the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant micro-organisms in livestock. Changes in usage and resistance levels between 2009 and 2014, for most of the commonly used antibiotics, the strongest declines in usage levels were observed in the pig (54%) and broiler (57%) farming sectors. In most livestock sectors, total and antimicrobial-specific usage levels are clearly associated with the antimicrobial-specific resistance levels. Is it possible to benchmark livestock farms based on resistance data? This would require information on resistance-related risks such as public health risks, and currently available data do not allow for quantification of such risks. If an acceptable resistance level were to be determined, the corresponding antimicrobial usage level could serve as the basis for benchmarking values. As yet, however, no acceptable resistance level has been defined.

Where to find the original material: https://cdn.i-pulse.nl/autoriteitdiergeneesmiddelen/userfiles/Publications/def-engels-rapport-abgebruik-en-resistentie-0516.pdf;
Country: NL

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

/in , , , , , /by

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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