Cattle Feces Research Articles

Evaluation of the attraction, lethal and sublethal effects of the faeces of ivermectin‐treated cattle on the dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

AbstractThe attraction of the Digitonthophagus gazella dung beetle to the excreta of cattle treated with ivermectin (IVM) at 1% under controlled and field conditions (Phase 1) as well as the lethal (mortality) and sublethal effects (fecundity, emergence, and dung removal) of the excreta of bovines treated with IVM‐1% and IVM‐3.15% were evaluated (Phase 2). In Phase 1, an olfactometer was used to evaluate the attraction/repellency in the laboratory and field‐controlled conditions using faeces of cattle recovered on 5, 14, 21 and 28 days posttreatment (DPT) from animals treated with IVM‐1% (0.2 mg/kg) and untreated animals. Under field conditions, pitfall traps baited with faeces from animals treated with IVM‐1% (5 DPT), and untreated animals were used to evaluate the attraction/repellency for D. gazella. In all three experiments, the faeces of treated cattle did not affect (P > 0.05) the attraction/repellency of D. gazella towards IVM‐1% (P > 0.05). In Phase 2, six cattle were used: (1) three treated with subcutaneous IVM‐1% 0.2 mg/kg and (2) three treated with subcutaneous IVM‐3.15% (0.63 mg/kg). The collection of faeces was at −1 (control), 5, 14, 21 and 28 DPT. Each bioassay consisted of a terrarium with a pair of sexually mature beetles, where they received 50 g of faeces for 10 days with 15 replicates per group. The bioassays consisted of nine groups: control, IVM‐1% at 5, 14, 21 and 28 DPT and IVM‐3.15% at 5, 14, 21 and 28 DPT. There were no lethal effects on adults of D. gazella when exposed to faeces treated with IVM‐1% and IVM‐3.15%; however, faeces collected at 5 DPT from cattle treated with IVM‐1% and IVM‐3.15% showed a significant reduction in the average number of brood masses produced and in the average number of imagoes emerged (P < 0.05). There were no differences in faeces removal between treatments. In conclusion, D. gazella does not discriminate between faeces of cattle treated with IVM and untreated, and there were no lethal effects seen; however, fertility was significantly reduced at 5 DPT.

Recovery and seeds germination of four important tropical forage legumes in bovine dung

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the recovery and survival of tropical forage legume seeds (butterfly pea, stylosanthes, perennial soybean and macrotiloma) subjected through the digestive tract of cattle and to evaluate the germination of the seeds in feces of cattle. A 50 g of seed mixed with 150 g of mineral supplement offered to the cattle. Each cattle was considered as repetition. The bovine feces collected up to 60 hours after eating the seeds, where the seeds separated by sieves, using water, gloves procedure and tweezers. Later, they counted and divided into intact and swollen. For the germination test of the recovered seeds, 75 seeds per replicate were used (25 in natura, 25 intact and 25 swollen seeds, respectively). For the germination test in fecal plates, the bovine feces collected between 12 and 30 hours after eating the seeds. After 120 days, we evaluated the total amount of plants emerged within the study period (between 12 and 30 hours) and the average number of emerged plants per fecal signs. The results showed that cattle are facilitating the dispersion of butterfly pea, macrotyloma and perennial soybean, but not stylosanthes. The highest survival as the average number of germinated plants in fecal plates achieved by macrotyloma, followed by butterfly pea species and perennial soybean. The cattle were efficient in the pasture colonization process, due to the considerable dispersion of the seeds. This dispersion was not observed for seeds of stylosanthes.

Isolation, Identification, and Critical Points of Risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Contamination at Aceh Cattle Breeding Centre

This study was aimed to identify possible critical points of Escherichia coli (E. coli ) O157:H7, a pathogenic agent, contamination in aceh cattle breeding centre. For this purpose, samples were collected from cattle faeces, hand of workers (animal keepers), and water sources in the farm using cross-sectional approach. A number of 85 samples of cattle faecal swab were collected randomly from the animals in the breeding centre. The samples of swab of hand of all workers (15 persons) were collected before and after work. Then, the water sources from 11 cattle house locations in the breeding centre were collected. The water sources were divided into three different locations, namely the water containers, taps, and water puddle on the floors. At each source a number of 11 samples were collected. Isolation of E. coli was conducted on Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), followed by identification on Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (SMAC). Then Molecular subtyping of E. coli O157:H7 genes was conducted using multiplex-PCR analysis. Data were analysed descriptively. The results of this study showed that 72 samples (85 %) among 85 samples were positive for E. coli and the rest of samples were positive for other types of bacteria. Sample isolation from swabs of hand was found 3 positive E. coli before work and 1 positive E. coli after work from 15 workers. The most potential water sources for E. coli contamination were the water in taps, and water puddle on the floor of cattle houses. Then, two of samples of E. coli isolated from rectal swab were confirmed as E. coli O157:H7 using PCR test, based on the presence of stx2 gene. In conclusion, the risk of presence of E. coli as zoonotic agents of E. coli O157:H7 in aceh cattle as well as from the farm workers and surrounding area are high. An appropriate control strategy is needed to apply in the aceh cattle farm to prevent from E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the future.

WITHDRAWN

The document associated with this DOI has been withdrawn.

Validation of Commercial ELISA kit for Non-Invasive Measurement of Cortisol Concentrations and the Evaluation of the Sampling Time of Blood and Fecal Sample in Aceh Cattle

Some parameters should be evaluated before the analysis of cortisol hormone using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ). The most important one is to test the validity of the ELISA kit itself since most of the commercially available ELISA kit is not designed for animal use. The time of sample collection is also another important parameter needed to be evaluated due to a known diurnal variation of cortisol concentrations. This study aims to validate a commercial ELISA kit and evaluate the sampling time on the diurnal variations of cortisol concentration in blood and feces of Aceh cattle. Blood and fecal samples were collected in the morning and afternoon from 8 Aceh cows aged 2-3 years. A commercial ELISA Kit (Cat. No. EIA-K003-H5, Arbor Assays®) was validated using analytical (parallelism, accuracy, and precision/% CV of intraand inter-assay) and biological validations (by analyzing sample preand post-transportation). The results of a parallelism test showed the diluted sample curve from the fecal extract was not significantly different (parallel) to the standard curve of EIA-K003-H5 kits (P>0.05), the accuracy of the assay: 99,76 ± 3.77%, and the % CV of intra-and inter-assay less than 10%. The results from the biological validation test showed that the concentrations of fecal cortisol post-transportation were significantly higher compared to the pre-transportation (P<0.05). Plasma cortisol concentrations collected in the morning were significantly higher (79.34%) compared to afternoon samples(P<0.05). However, cortisol concentrations in feces collected in the morning and afternoon did not show a significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, ELISA Kit (EIA-K003H5, Arbor Assays®) is a reliable assay for measuring cortisol in the feces of Aceh cows. Plasma cortisol concentrations in Aceh cows show a diurnal variation which is higher in the morning than afternoon, but the concentration of cortisol in the fecal sample did not.

Molecular profiling and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolated in Bulgaria

The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in faeces of healthy dairy cattle and to determine the sensitivity of isolates to several anti­microbial drugs. A total of 1,104 anal swab samples originating from 28 cattle farms were examined. After the primary identification, 30 strains were found to belong to serogroup О157. By means of conventional multiplex PCR, isolates were screened for presence of resistance genes stx1, stx2 and eaeА. Twenty-nine strains possesses amplicons with a size corresponding to genes stx2 and eaeA, one had amplicons also for the stx1 gene and one lacked amplicons of all three genes. Twenty-eight strains demonstrated amplicons equivalent to gene H7. The results from phenotype analysis of resistance showed preserved sensitivity to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cephalothin, streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin and combinations sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Sensitivity to ampicillin was relatively preserved, although at a lower extent.

WITHDRAWN

The document associated with this DOI has been withdrawn.

Prevalence of Sorbitol-Negative Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Strain in Beef and Cattle Faeces in Jos South L.G.A Plateau State Nigeria

Prevalence of Sorbitol-Negative Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Strain in Beef and Cattle Faeces in Jos South L.G.A Plateau State Nigeria

Prevalence of <i>Giardia species</i> in Cattle Faecal Matter in Selected Farms in Weija and Kpong Major Water Supply Heads to Accra, Ghana.

In developing countries including Ghana, giardiasis plays a major role in gastroenteritis in vertebrate. It poses health and socio-economic burden, and continues to be one of the causes of infant and calf mortality. Their infection continues to thrive in humans due to the zoonotic transmission of infected domesticated animals including cattle, dogs and cats, and their con­tinual presence in water bodies. The objective of this study was to establish their presence and evaluate the prevalence of Giardia sp. in cattle faecal matter in the environment in the Kpong and Weija communities. The Iron-haematoxylin staining techniques was used to analyze the faecal samples in order to identify Giardia sp. (Student t- test and Chi square were the statistical analyses) used for the studies. About five percent (5.3%) prevalence was obtained in both com­munities and this was significant (p> 0.05). The parasite was found to be most prevalent (9.4%) in calves less than 3 months old and this decreased with age of calf. It was also observed that Giardia plays an important role in the cause of diarrhoea in cattle. There is the need to educate people on the disease and its implication on the quality of water from the treatment plants.
 Keywords: Giardia sp, water, contamination, diarrhoea, infant mortality.

Tetracycline Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Subtypes Emanating from Beef Cattle Administered Non-Therapeutic Chlortetracycline are Longitudinally Transmitted within the Production Continuum but are Not Detected in Ground Beef.

The impacts of the antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP), chlortetracycline with sulfamethazine (AS700), on the development of antimicrobial resistance and longitudinal transmission of Campylobacter jejuni within the beef production continuum were empirically determined. Carriage of tetracycline resistance determinants in the enteric bacterial community increased at a greater rate for AS700-treatment cattle. The majority of the bacteria from animals administered AS700 carried tetW. Densities of C. jejuni shed in feces increased over the confined feeding period, and the administration of AS700 did not conspicuously reduce C. jejuni densities in feces or within the intestine. The majority of C. jejuni isolates recovered were resistant to tetracycline, but the resistance rates to other antibiotics was low (≤20.1%). The richness of C. jejuni subtypes recovered from AS700-treated animals that were either resistant or susceptible to tetracycline was reduced, indicating selection pressure due to AGP administration. Moreover, a degree of subtype-specific resistance to tetracycline was observed. tetO was the primary tetracycline resistance determinant conferring resistance in C. jejuni isolates recovered from cattle and people. Clinically-relevant C. jejuni subtypes (subtypes that represent a risk to human health) that were resistant to tetracycline were isolated from cattle feces, digesta, hides, the abattoir environment, and carcasses, but not from ground beef. Thus, study findings indicate that clinically-relevant C. jejuni subtypes associated with beef cattle, including those resistant to antibiotics, do not represent a significant foodborne risk.

EVALUASI SISTEM MANAJEMEN USAHA PEMBIBITAN SAPI BALI TERINTEGRASI DENGAN PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT DI KABUPATEN PASAMAN BARAT, PROVINSI SUMATERA BARAT

The research objective was to evaluate: 1) Implementation of integration of Bali cattle and oil palm plantations; 2) Obstacles faced in implementing the integration of Bali cattle with oil palm plantations. The study was conducted in Pasaman Barat District, which received assistance of fund from Directorate General of Animal Husbandry in 2012 in the project of integration of beef cattle with oil palm plantation. The method used were survey method, direct observation and using questionnaire. Respondents involved were members of farmer-group who carried out the integration of Bali cattle and palm oil plantation program as many as 56 people from four groups. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and comparing the results obtained with the objectives of the integration program itself. The results showed that the effort to integrate Bali cattle with oil palm plantation business was not optimal. The feedstuff given to cattle were superior grass and field grass originating from oil palm plantations. However, oil palm fronds and leaves have not been utilized, and palm oil industry waste in the form of palm mud, fiber palm oil, and palm kernel meal have not been used optimally as well. Utilization of cattle feces as fertilizer for oil palm plants has been used in several groups, but still in the form of untreated fertilizers. The obstacles faced in implementing this integration system are such as the lack of knowledge of farmers about integration, and the mastery of livestock waste processing technology and waste from oil palm plantations is still low, so that the application of integration has not been optimally carried out. Keywords: Bali Cattle, Integration, Oil Palm Plantation, Pasaman Barat District, Survey Method.

Penyuluhan pemanfaatan feses sapi sebagai briket bahan bakar alternatif

The partners in this community serviceactivityarethe Lantebung farmer group, Pakatto Village, Bontomarannu District in Gowa Regency. Their problems are 1). lack of knowledge, attitudes and skills of cattle farmers towards utilization of cattle feces as an alternative fuel with sago flour adhesives; 2) Cattle feces waste has not been used optimally becomes higher economic value product. The external target is cattle feces have a higher economic value after being processed into feces briquettes. The implementation and extension design includes the determination of material, methods, techniques, media, targets, implementations and evaluations. The result achieved are: 1) Improved partners knowledge, attitudes and skills to use of cattle feces into briquettes with sago flour adhesives. 2) Increased the economic value of cattle feces.

Gastrointestinal parasites of bile and faeces of slaughtered cattle and sheep from Maiduguri Municipal Abattoir, North Eastern Nigeria

The occurrence and types of gastrointestinal parasites of bile and faeces of cattle and sheep from the semi-arid region of Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria were determined using standard parasitological techniques. Samples of bile and faeces collected from three hundred and eighty seven (387) cattle and 389 sheep were analysed using bile sedimentation, faecal sedimentation and faecal floatation. An overall prevalence of 42.63% was found in cattle, while 49.36% was in sheep. Results from both species did not vary significantly (p>0.05) based on the sexes, ages and breeds except in sheep, where adult animals were significantly (p˂0.05) infected than the young sheep. Furthermore, 91(23.51%), 13(3.35%) and 84(21.70%) cattle and 15(3.85%), 22(5.65%) and 183(47.04) sheep were positive for one parasite or the other using the bile sedimentation, faecal sedimentation and faecal floatation techniques respectively. In cattle, Fasciola spp was the most predominant parasite recovered with 75(39.89%), followed by strongyle 66(35.11%), Dicrocoelium hospes 23(12.23%) and coccidia 21(11.17%). One animal in each case was infected with Paramphistomum spp. 1(0.53%), and Toxocara vitulorum 1(0.53%). In sheep, Fasciola spp. 24(9.44%), Dicrocoelium hospes 4(1.57%), Paramphistomum spp. 5(1.97), strongyle 75(29.53%), coccidia 140(55.12%), mite egg 1(0.39%), Strongyloides papillosus 2(0.79%) and Moniezia expansa 3(1.18%) were found. Co-infection of two or three parasites in both cattle and sheep was observed with strongyle/coccidia combination being the most frequent. The recovery of parasites of economic and public health significance such as Fasciola spp, Toxocara vitulorum and Strongyloides papillosus indicates that they are abundant and that attention need to be given to their control under ruminant production system. In all, the study had shown the common gastrointestinal parasites found in the study location.Keywords: Prevalence, Maiduguri, Cattle, Sheep, Parasite

Quantitative dynamics of Salmonella and E. coli in feces of feedlot cattle treated with ceftiofur and chlortetracycline.

Antibiotic use in beef cattle is a risk factor for the expansion of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella populations. However, actual changes in the quantity of Salmonella in cattle feces following antibiotic use have not been investigated. Previously, we observed an overall reduction in Salmonella prevalence in cattle feces associated with both ceftiofur crystalline-free acid (CCFA) and chlortetracycline (CTC) use; however, during the same time frame the prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella increased. The purpose of this analysis was to quantify the dynamics of Salmonella using colony counting (via a spiral-plating method) and hydrolysis probe-based qPCR (TaqMan® qPCR). Additionally, we quantified antibiotic-resistant Salmonella by plating to agar containing antibiotics at Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoint concentrations. Cattle were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups across 16 pens in 2 replicates consisting of 88 cattle each. Fecal samples from Days 0, 4, 8, 14, 20, and 26 were subjected to quantification assays. Duplicate qPCR assays targeting the Salmonella invA gene were performed on total community DNA for 1,040 samples. Diluted fecal samples were spiral plated on plain Brilliant Green Agar (BGA) and BGA with ceftriaxone (4 μg/ml) or tetracycline (16 μg/ml). For comparison purposes, indicator non-type-specific (NTS) E. coli were also quantified by direct spiral plating. Quantity of NTS E. coli and Salmonella significantly decreased immediately following CCFA treatment. CTC treatment further decreased the quantity of Salmonella but not NTS E. coli. Effects of antibiotics on the imputed log10 quantity of Salmonella were analyzed via a multi-level mixed linear regression model. The invA gene copies decreased with CCFA treatment by approximately 2 log10 gene copies/g feces and remained low following additional CTC treatment. The quantities of tetracycline or ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella were approximately 4 log10 CFU/g feces; however, most of the samples were under the quantification limit. The results of this study demonstrate that antibiotic use decreases the overall quantity of Salmonella in cattle feces in the short term; however, the overall quantities of antimicrobial-resistant NTS E. coli and Salmonella tend to remain at a constant level throughout.

O-serogroups, virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility, and MLST genotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli from swine and cattle in Central China

BackgroundShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a leading cause of worldwide food-borne and waterborne infections. Despite an increase in the number of STEC outbreaks, there is a lack of data on prevalence of STEC at the farm level, distribution of serogroups, and virulence factors.ResultsIn the present study, a total of 91 (6.16%) STEC strains were isolated from 1477 samples including pig intestines, pig feces, cattle feces, milk, and water from dairy farms. The isolation rates of STEC strains from pig intestines, pig feces, and cattle feces were 7.41% (32/432), 4.38% (21/480), and 9.57% (38/397), respectively. No STEC was isolated from the fresh milk and water samples. By O-serotyping methods, a total of 30 types of O-antigens were determined, and the main types were O100, O97, O91, O149, O26, O92, O102, O157, and O34. Detection of selected virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae, ehxA, saa) revealed that over 94.51% (86/91) of the isolates carried more than two types of virulence associated genes, and approximately 71.43% (65/91) of the isolates carried both stx1 and stx2, simultaneously. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that most of the STEC isolates were susceptible to ofloxacin and norfloxacin, but showed resistance to tetracycline, kanamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. MLST determined 13 categories of sequence types (STs), and ST297 (31.87%; 29/91) was the most dominant clone. This clone displayed a close relationship to virulent strains STEC ST678 (O104: H4). The prevalence of ST297 clones should receive more attentions.ConclusionsOur preliminary data revealed that a heterogeneous group of STEC is present, but the non-O157 serogroups and some ST clones such as ST297 should receive more attentions.

Analysis of virulence potential of Escherichia coli O145 isolated from cattle feces and hide samples based on whole genome sequencing.

Escherichia coli O145 serogroup is one of the big six non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) that causes foodborne illnesses in the United States and other countries. Cattle are a major reservoir of STEC, which harbor them in their hindgut and shed in the feces. Cattle feces is the main source of hide and subsequent carcass contaminations during harvest leading to foodborne illnesses in humans. The objective of our study was to determine the virulence potential of STEC O145 strains isolated from cattle feces and hide samples. A total of 71 STEC O145 strains isolated from cattle feces (n = 16), hide (n = 53), and human clinical samples (n = 2) were used in the study. The strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing using Illumina MiSeq platform. The average draft genome size of the fecal, hide, and human clinical strains were 5.41, 5.28, and 5.29 Mb, respectively. The average number of genes associated with mobile genetic elements was 260, 238, and 259, in cattle fecal, hide, and human clinical strains, respectively. All strains belonged to O145:H28 serotype and carried eae subtype γ. Shiga toxin 1a was the most common Shiga toxin gene subtype among the strains, followed by stx2a and stx2c. The strains also carried genes encoding type III secretory system proteins, nle, and plasmid-encoded virulence genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of cattle fecal strains separately from hide strains, and the human clinical strains were more closely related to the hide strains. All the strains belonged to sequence type (ST)-32. The virulence gene profile of STEC O145 strains isolated from cattle sources was similar to that of human clinical strains and were phylogenetically closely related to human clinical strains. The genetic analysis suggests the potential of cattle STEC O145 strains to cause human illnesses. Inclusion of more strains from cattle and their environment in the analysis will help in further elucidation of the genetic diversity and virulence potential of cattle O145 strains.

Characterization of Lytic Bacteriophages Infecting Multidrug-Resistant Shiga Toxigenic Atypical Escherichia coli O177 Strains Isolated From Cattle Feces.

The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance and emergence of virulent bacterial pathogens, coupled with a lack of new effective antibiotics, has reignited interest in the use of lytic bacteriophage therapy. The aim of this study was to characterize lytic Escherichia coli O177-specific bacteriophages isolated from cattle feces to determine their potential application as biocontrol agents. A total of 31 lytic E. coli O177-specific bacteriophages were isolated. A large proportion (71%) of these phage isolates produced large plaques while 29% produced small plaques on 0.3% soft agar. Based on different plaque morphologies and clarity and size of plaques, eight phages were selected for further analyses. Spot test and efficiency of plating (EOP) analyses were performed to determine the host range for selected phages. Phage morphotype and growth were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy and the one-step growth curve method. Phages were also assessed for thermal and pH stability. The spot test revealed that all selected phages were capable of infecting different environmental E. coli strains. However, none of the phages infected American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and environmental Salmonella strains. Furthermore, EOP analysis (range: 0.1–1.0) showed that phages were capable of infecting a wide range of E. coli isolates. Selected phage isolates had a similar morphotype (an icosahedral head and a contractile tail) and were classified under the order Caudovirales, Myoviridae family. The icosahedral heads ranged from 81.2 to 110.77 nm, while the contractile tails ranged from 115.55 to 132.57 nm in size. The phages were found to be still active after 60 min of incubation at 37 and 40°C. Incremental levels of pH induced a quadratic response on stability of all phages. The pH optima for all eight phages ranged between 7.6 and 8.0, while at pH 3.0 all phages were inactive. Phage latent period ranged between 15 and 25 min while burst size ranged from 91 to 522 virion particles [plaque-forming unit (PFU)] per infected cell. These results demonstrate that lytic E. coli O177-specific bacteriophages isolated from cattle feces are highly stable and have the capacity to infect different E. coli strains, traits that make them potential biocontrol agents.

Characterization of Non-O157 STEC Infecting Bacteriophages Isolated from Cattle Faeces in North-West South Africa

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) E. coli are emerging pathotypes that are frequently associated with diseases in humans around the world. The consequences of these serogroups for public health is a concern given the lack of effective prevention and treatment measures. In this study, ten bacteriophages (phages; SA20RB, SA79RD, SA126VB, SA30RD, SA32RD, SA35RD, SA21RB, SA80RD, SA12KD and SA91KD) isolated from cattle faeces collected in the North-West of South Africa were characterized. Activity of these phages against non-O157 STEC isolates served as hosts for these phages. All of the phages except SA80RD displayed lytic against non-O157 E. coli isolates. Of 22 non-O157 E. coli isolates, 14 were sensitive to 9 of the 10 phages tested. Phage SA35RD was able to lyse 13 isolates representing a diverse group of non-O157 E. coli serotypes including a novel O-antigen Shiga toxigenic (wzx-Onovel5:H19) strain. However, non-O157 E. coli serotypes O76:H34, O99:H9, O129:H23 and O136:H30 were insensitive to all phages. Based on transmission electron microscopy, the non-O157 STEC phages were placed into Myoviridae (n = 5) and Siphoviridae (n = 5). Genome of the phage ranged from 44 to 184.3 kb. All but three phages (SA91KD, SA80RD and SA126VB) were insensitive to EcoRI-HF and HindIII nucleases. This is the first study illustrating that cattle from North-West South Africa harbour phages with lytic potentials that could potentially be exploited for biocontrol against a diverse group of non-O157 STEC isolated from the same region.

Determining an optimal pool size for testing beef herds for Johne's disease in Australia.

Bovine Johne’s disease (JD) is a chronic debilitating disease affecting cattle breeds worldwide. Pooled faecal samples are routinely tested by culture to detect Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) infection. More recently, a direct high throughput molecular test has been introduced in Australia for the detection of Mptb in faeces to circumvent the long culture times, however, the optimal pool size for beef cattle faeces is not known. This study aimed to determine the optimal pool size to achieve the highest test sensitivity and specificity for beef cattle. Individual archived faecal samples with low, medium and high quantities of Mptb (n = 30) were pooled with faecal samples from confirmed JD negative animals to create pool sizes of 5, 10, 15 and 20, to assess the diagnostic sensitivity relative to individual faecal qPCR. Samples from JD-free cattle (n = 10) were similarly evaluated for diagnostic specificity. Overall, 160 pools were created, with Mptb DNA extracted using magnetic bead isolation method prior to Mptb-specific IS900 quantitative PCR (qPCR). The pool size of 10 yielded the highest sensitivity 73% (95% CI: 54–88%), regardless of the quantity of Mptb DNA present in the faeces. There was no significant differences between the four different pool sizes for positive pool detection, however, there was statistical significance between low, medium and high quantities of Mptb. Diagnostic specificity was determined to be 100%. The increase in pool size greater than 10 increased the chances of PCR inhibition, which was successfully relieved with the process of DNA dilution. The results of this study demonstrate that the pool size of 10 performed optimally in the direct faecal qPCR. The results from this study can be applied in future simulation modelling studies to provide suggestions on the cost-effective testing for JD in beef cattle.

Food habits of horses, cattle, and sheep-goats and food supply in the forest–steppe zone of Mongolia: A case study in Mogod sum (county) in Bulgan aimag (province)

According to the social changes in the 1990s, livestock population in Mongolia is rapidly increasing, resulting in overgrazing and subsequent degradation of the grasslands. However, little is known about the quantitative food habits of Mongolian livestock. We evaluated the food habits of horses, cattle, and sheep and goats in the forest–steppe zone of northern Mongolia by fecal analysis. We compared fecal compositions at a valley (Place 1) and a riverside (Place 2). Place 1 consisted mainly of Stipa-dominated slopes (93%) while Place 2 comprised Stipa-dominated slopes (77%) and Carex-dominated alluvial flats (23%). Horse feces were dominated by graminoids (60%–70% graminoids), with a high percentage of Carex (30%–40%). Stipa accounted for about 20%–40% in the cattle feces. Sheep and goat feces contained about 30% Stipa and about 40% culms. These results suggest that the food habits of the livestock were affected more by animal characteristics than habitats. The high Carex content in the horse feces occurred because horses roamed freely and could visit Carex swards. Cattle moved near the gers (tent houses) and returned every evening, and it was difficult for them to visit far away Carex swards. Sheep-goats were herded and often grazed on steeper slopes than cattle and horses, explaining the large proportion of culms and small proportion of Carex in the feces. Quantitative food habit studies of livestock is useful for the grassland management of arid regions.