Transcriptional changes detected in fecal RNA from neonatal dairy calves of different breeds following gastrointestinal disease of varying severity.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is a major health concern in preweaned dairy calves. The objective of this fixed cohort study was to use RNA isolated from preweaned Holstein and Jersey heifer calf feces to study the molecular adaptations to variable clinical GI disease. The study was conducted on a commercial calf ranch in the western U.

Contrasting Fecal Methanogenic and Bacterial Profiles of Organic Dairy Cows Located in Northwest Washington Receiving Either a Mixed Diet of Pasture and TMR or Solely TMR.

Currently, little is known regarding fecal microbial populations and their associations with methanogenic archaea in pasture-based dairy cattle. In this study, we assessed the fecal microbiome of organic dairy cows across different time points receiving a mixed diet of pasture and total mixed ration (TMR) or TMR only. We hypothesized that the fecal methanogenic community, as well as co-occurrence patterns with bacteria, change across diets.

Effects of a farm-specific fecal microbial transplant (FMT) product on clinical outcomes and fecal microbiome composition in preweaned dairy calves.

Gastrointestinal disease (GI) is the most common illness in pre-weaned dairy calves. Therefore, effective strategies to manipulate the microbiome of dairy calves under commercial dairy operations are of great importance to improve animal health and reduce antimicrobial usage. The objective of this study was to develop a farm-specific FMT product and to investigate its effects on clinical outcomes and fecal microbial composition of dairy calves.

Fecal microbiome profiles of neonatal dairy calves with varying severities of gastrointestinal disease.

Gastrointestinal disease (GI) is the most common illness in pre-weaned dairy calves. Studies have associated the fecal microbiome composition with health status, but it remains unclear how the microbiome changes across different levels of GI disease and breeds. Our objective was to associate the clinical symptoms of GI disease with the fecal microbiome.

Parenteral Antimicrobial Treatment Diminishes Fecal Quantity but Has No Impact on Health in Neonatal Dairy Calves: Data From a Field Trial.

There is evidence that neonatal calves are over treated with antimicrobials that may disrupt colonization of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota. The study objectives were to assess the decision-making process of antimicrobial use on a commercial dairy and impacts of parenteral antibiotics on dairy calves' GIT and calf health. Unhealthy pre-weaned dairy calves were enrolled based on farm personnel identification with age-matched healthy calves.

Dairy veterinarians' perceptions and experts' opinions regarding implementation of antimicrobial stewardship on dairy farms in the western United States.

Objective: To explore veterinarians' perceptions and veterinary experts' opinions regarding antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) on dairy farms in the western United States.

Sample: 20 dairy veterinarians and 9 AMS experts.

Procedures: 3 focus group discussions involving 20 dairy veterinarians from California, Idaho, and Washington and an expert opinion study involving 9 North American AMS experts were conducted.

Describing motivation for health and treatment decisions and communication choices of calf-care workers on western United States dairies.

On large dairy farms, animal health assessments and treatments are made by farm employees. Little is known about how employees make decisions about illness detection or treatment, information critical to improving antimicrobial stewardship. The objectives of this study were to describe calf-care employee motivations for decisions associated with preweaned calf health and treatments, describe on-farm worker communication networks, and determine information sources used by these employees to support their decisions.

A Fixed Cohort Field Study of Gene Expression in Circulating Leukocytes From Dairy Cows With and Without Mastitis.

Specifically designed gene expression studies can be used to prioritize candidate genes and identify novel biomarkers affecting resilience against mastitis and other diseases in dairy cattle. The primary goal of this study was to assess whether specific peripheral leukocyte genes expressed differentially in a previous study of dairy cattle with postpartum disease, also would be expressed differentially in peripheral leukocytes from a diverse set of different dairy cattle with moderate to severe clinical mastitis. Four genes were selected for this study due to their differential expression in a previous transcriptomic analysis of circulating leukocytes from dairy cows with and without evidence of early postpartum disease.

Antimicrobial use policy change in pre-weaned dairy calves and its impact on antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli: a cross sectional and ecological study.

Background: This study is based on data collected to investigate the relation of peri-parturient events (colostrum quality, passive transfer of immunity, calving difficulty) on calf health and antimicrobial use. A component of the study was to provide feedback to farm management to identify calves at risk for disease and promote antimicrobial stewardship. At the start of the study (May 2016), a combination of enrofloxacin, penicillin, and sulfamethoxazole was the first treatment given to clinically abnormal calves.

Dairy farm soil presents distinct microbiota and varied prevalence of antibiotic resistance across housing areas.

Dairy cattle of different ages experience different living conditions and varied frequency of antibiotic administration that likely influence the distribution of microbiome and resistome in ways that reflect different risks of microbial transmission. To assess the degree of variance in these distributions, fecal and soil samples were collected from six distinct housing areas on commercial dairy farms (n = 7) in Washington State. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the microbiota differed between different on-farm locations in feces and soil, and in both cases, the microbiota of dairy calves was often distinct from others (P < 0.

A retrospective cohort study comparing dairy calf treatment decisions by farm personnel with veterinary observations of clinical signs.

Antimicrobials are frequently administered to calves with diarrhea, despite evidence suggesting questionable efficacy. Even if efficacious, providing the appropriate therapy to an animal requires accurate disease detection. The objective of this study was to use previously collected data and compare clinical scoring by a veterinarian to treatment decisions by on-farm personnel.

Calf care personnel on dairy farms and their educational opportunities.

As dairy herd sizes become larger and the organization of the business more complex, targeting communication and education to enhance animal care becomes more difficult. The purpose of this study was to describe selected demographics of calf care employees on large (>500 animals) and small (<501 animals) dairy farms that raise their own calves. Two to 8 individuals per farm involved with calf care, including owners, veterinarians, and calf managers, feeders, and treaters, were interviewed in either English or Spanish.

Molecular Epidemiology of Dairy Cattle-Associated Escherichia coli Carrying Genes in Washington State.

An increase in the prevalence of commensal carrying genes among dairy cattle was observed between 2008 and 2012 in Washington State. To study the molecular epidemiology of this change, we selected 126 -positive and 126 -negative isolates for determinations of the multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) and antibiotic resistance phenotypes from obtained during a previous study. For 99 isolates, we also determined the alleles using PCR and sequencing and identified the replicon types of -carrying plasmids.

Short communication: Predictors of time to dairy calf bucket training.

The time required to adequately bucket-train a dairy calf to drink its milk allotment is unknown. Additionally, factors that could predict calves who are slow to learn have not been identified. A prospective observational study was conducted to describe timing of bucket training and possible calf birth and colostrum quality factors that might predict calves requiring extra time to train.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Isolates from Dairy Cattle and Humans in New York and Washington States Reveals Source and Geographic Associations.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) can be spread from cattle to humans through direct contact with animals shedding as well as through the food chain, making MDR a serious threat to human health. The objective of this study was to use whole-genome sequencing to compare antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) serovars Typhimurium, Newport, and Dublin isolated from dairy cattle and humans in Washington State and New York State at the genotypic and phenotypic levels. A total of 90 isolates were selected for the study (37 Typhimurium, 32 Newport, and 21 Dublin isolates).

Comparative composition, diversity, and abundance of oligosaccharides in early lactation milk from commercial dairy and beef cows.

Prebiotics are nondigestible dietary ingredients, usually oligosaccharides (OS), that provide a health benefit to the host by directly modulating the gut microbiota. Although there is some information describing OS content in dairy-source milk, no information is available to describe the OS content of beef-source milk. Given the different trait emphasis between dairy and beef for milk production and calf survivability, it is plausible that OS composition, diversity, and abundance differ between production types.

Population dynamics and antimicrobial resistance of the most prevalent poultry-associated Salmonella serotypes.

Salmonella spp. is the most predominant bacterial cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in humans. Due to the risk of human infection associated with poultry products and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, Salmonella also poses a significant challenge to commercial poultry production.

Salmonella in Wild Birds Utilizing Protected and Human Impacted Habitats, Uganda.

As human populations in Africa expand, humans encroach and modify wildlife habitats for farming, fishing, tourism, or settlement. Anthropogenic activities in shared environments may promote transmission of zoonotic pathogens between humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Between July 2012 and February 2014, we evaluated Salmonella prevalence, serovars, genotypes, and antibiotic resistant phenotypes in resident and migratory birds utilizing human-impacted habitats in northwestern Lake Victoria and protected habitats in Queen Elisabeth National Park.

Technical note: Use of a digital and an optical Brix refractometer to estimate total solids in milk replacer solutions for calves.

The Brix refractometer is used on dairy farms and calf ranches for colostrum quality (estimation of IgG concentration), estimation of serum IgG concentration in neonatal calves, and nonsalable milk evaluation of total solids for calf nutrition. Another potential use is to estimate the total solids concentrations of milk replacer mixes as an aid in monitoring feeding consistency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Brix refractometers to estimate total solids in milk replacer solutions and evaluate different replacer mixes for osmolality.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of Oligosaccharides on Transfer of Passive Immunity in Neonatal Dairy Calves.

Background: Bacterial contamination of colostrum is common and can decrease IgG absorption in neonatal calves. Strategies that mitigate this situation without complicating colostrum management will benefit dairy calf health and survival.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of supplementing colostrum with oligosaccharides (OS) on serum IgG concentration and apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG (AEA%) in calves fed unpasteurized colostrum and characterize these outcomes with respect to colostrum bacterial exposures.

Potential Sources and Transmission of Salmonella and Antimicrobial Resistance in Kampala, Uganda.

In sub‒Saharan Africa, non‒typhoidal Salmonellae (NTS) cause invasive disease particularly in children and HIV infected adults, but the disease epidemiology is poorly understood. Between 2012 and 2013, we investigated NTS sources and transmission in Kampala. We detected Salmonella in 60% of the influent and 60% of the effluent samples from a wastewater treatment plant and 53.

Improving Dairy Organizational Communication from the Veterinarian's Perspective: Results of a Continuing Veterinary Medical Education Pilot Program.

The increasing size and complexity of US dairy farms could make it more difficult for a veterinary practitioner to effectively communicate protocol recommendations for prevention or treatment on the farm. A continuing education workshop was set up based on the results of research on dairy organizational communication on dairy farms, which resulted in a tool to assess dairy communication structure and flow. The workshop specifically focused on communication structure and whom to talk to when implementing health care changes in calf rearing.

Escherichia coli O157:H7--Discerning Facts from Fiction: An Integrated Research and Extension Project for Multiple Audiences.

The O157:H7 (EcO157) epidemiology of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in cattle is complex, and myths about pre-harvest control are perpetuated. The objectives of this project were to identify perpetuated misinformation and inform four audiences about evidence-based risks and pre-harvest control of EcO157 by addressing: (i) EcO157 epidemiology and pre-harvest control; (ii) how food safety policy is created; and (iii) how to present accurate information about EcO157. An environmental scan using a daily Internet search helped identify themes for education.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Diversity in Salmonella from Humans and Cattle, 2004-2011.

Analysis of long-term anti-microbial resistance (AMR) data is useful to understand source and transmission dynamics of AMR. We analysed 5124 human clinical isolates from Washington State Department of Health, 391 cattle clinical isolates from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and 1864 non-clinical isolates from foodborne disease research on dairies in the Pacific Northwest. Isolates were assigned profiles based on phenotypic resistance to 11 anti-microbials belonging to eight classes.