Cattle Feces Research Articles

Analysis of Factors Influencing Nematode Prevalence in Beef Cattle Faeces at Tanjung Morawa District

This study aims to identify the type, number of nematode eggs, and nematode prevalence rate, as well as determine the factors that influence the prevalence of nematode eggs in beef cattle feces in Tanjung Morawa District. The research method used was direct interviews with farmers assisted by questionnaires and examination of 89 beef cattle fecal samples at the Medan Veterinary Center Parasitology Laboratory. Purposive sampling techniques were carried out. The research samples were Dalu Sepuluh A Village, Bangun Rejo Village, Dalu Sepuluh B Village in Tanjung Morawa District with variables maintenance systems, deworming, cage sanitation, forage collection time, cow age, cattle breed, and gender. Based on the examination results, 43 positive samples were obtained with a prevalence of 48.31% (commonly), and the egg infestation rate per gram of feces was in the low to medium category, with an average of 200-700 eggs. The types of nematode eggs found are Bunostomum sp., Capillaria sp., Cooperia sp., Eimeria sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichuris sp. Most nematode eggs are in the type of Eimeria sp. Factors influencing the prevalence and infestation of eggs per gram of feces are the maintenance system, deworming, cage sanitation, and forage collection time.

Penambahan Inokulum yang Berbeda pada Ampas Tebu Fermentasi Terhadap Kualitas Nutrisi

Sugarcane bagasse is an agricultural waste that could be processed into ruminant alternative feed. Sugarcane bagasse processing was very necessary to improve the nutritional as animal feed using fermentation application which was one way to increase the nutritional of sugarcane bagasse using cow feces inoculum and EM-4 (Effective Microorganism-4). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect nutritional quality of fermented sugarcane bagasse using different types of inoculum. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications that are ; P0: sugarcane bagasse without inoculum addition (control), P1: sugarcane bagasse + 5% cattle feces, P2: sugarcane bagasse + EM-4 10%, P3: sugarcane bagasse + 5% cattle feces + E-4 10%. The parameters measured include dry content, crude protein, crude fiber, and crude fat. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that a mixture of 5% cow feces and 10% EM-4 had a very significant effect (P <0.01) to increase crude protein ​​and significantly (P <0.05) to reduce crude fiber. The conclusion of this research was the addition of 5% cow feces inoculum and 10% EM-4 (P3 treatment) was the best treatment because it increased crude protein content and decreased crude fiber

Pengaruh Pemberian Pupuk Bokashi Feses Sapi Sumba Ongole Terhadap Nilai Nutrisi Legum Indigofera Zollingeriana

This study aims to determine the effect of bokashi fertilizer on the feces of Sumba Ongole cattle on the nutritional value of the Indigofera Zollingeriana legume. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications namely; P0: without the application of bokashi manure of Sumba Ongole cattle, P1: bokashi fertilizer of 200 grams/planting hole, P2: bokashi fertilizer of 500 grams/planting hole of Sumbanese Ongole cattle feces, P2: 800 gram/planting hole of Sumbanese Ongole cattle faeces bokashi fertilizer planting hole, P4: 1000 grams of bokashi fertilizer from the faeces of Sumba Ongole cattle/planting hole. The variables measured were crude protein and crude fiber. The results showed that the treatment had a significant effect (P<0.05) on crude protein and crude fiber. The conclusion of the application of bokashi fertilizer on the faeces of Sumba Ongole cattle at a level of 200 g/planting hole produces crude protein content and the higher the level of fertilizer application, the lower the crude fiber content.

Prevalence and Load of the Campylobacter Genus in Infants and Associated Household Contacts in Rural Eastern Ethiopia: a Longitudinal Study from the Campylobacter Genomics and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (CAGED) Project.

In our previous cross-sectional study, multiple species of Campylobacter were detected (88%) in stool samples from children (12 to 14 months of age) in rural eastern Ethiopia. This study assessed the temporal fecal carriage of Campylobacter in infants and identified putative reservoirs associated with these infections in infants from the same region. The prevalence and load of Campylobacter were determined using genus-specific real-time PCR. Stool samples from 106 infants (n = 1,073) were collected monthly from birth until 376 days of age (DOA). Human stool samples (mothers and siblings), livestock feces (cattle, chickens, goats, and sheep), and environmental samples (soil and drinking water) from the 106 households were collected twice per household (n = 1,644). Campylobacter was most prevalent in livestock feces (goats, 99%; sheep, 98%; cattle, 99%; chickens, 93%), followed by human stool samples (siblings, 91%; mothers, 83%; infants, 64%) and environmental samples (soil, 58%; drinking water, 43%). The prevalence of Campylobacter in infant stool samples significantly increased with age, from 30% at 27 DOA to 89% at 360 DOA (1% increase/day in the odds of being colonized) (P < 0.001). The Campylobacter load increased linearly (P < 0.001) with age from 2.95 logs at 25 DOA to 4.13 logs at 360 DOA. Within a household, the Campylobacter load in infant stool samples was positively correlated with the load in mother stool samples (r2 = 0.18) and soil collected inside the house (r2 = 0.36), which were in turn both correlated with Campylobacter loads in chicken and cattle feces (0.60 < r2 < 0.63) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, a high proportion of infants are infected with Campylobacter in eastern Ethiopia, and contact with the mother and contaminated soil may be associated with early infections. IMPORTANCE A high Campylobacter prevalence during early childhood has been associated with environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and stunting, especially in low-resource settings. Our previous study demonstrated that Campylobacter was frequently found (88%) in children from eastern Ethiopia; however, little is known about potential Campylobacter reservoirs and transmission pathways leading to infection of infants by Campylobacter during early growth. In the longitudinal study presented here, Campylobacter was frequently detected in infants within the 106 surveyed households from eastern Ethiopia, and the prevalence was age dependent. Furthermore, preliminary analyses highlighted the potential role of the mother, soil, and livestock in the transmission of Campylobacter to the infant. Further work will explore the species and genetic composition of Campylobacter in infants and putative reservoirs using PCR and whole-genome and metagenomic sequencing. The findings from these studies can lead to the development of interventions to minimize the risk of transmission of Campylobacter to infants and, potentially, EED and stunting.

The helminth infection rate of livestocks in Thua Thien Hue province and the effectiveness of autoclave in decontaminating parasitic infection agents

Livestock and pets are important to human life but have many potential health hazards such as parasitic zoonoses. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of helminth infection in some kind of livestocks and pets in Thua Thien Hue province and evaluate the value of autoclaving to decontamination to avoid the helminthic infections. Materials and methods: cross-sectional and experimental descriptive study using Formalin - Ether technique to investigate the prevalence of helminth eggs of dog, and cattle feces collected in Thua Thien Hue province. Comparing the shape of helminth eggs in 10% formalin and the other preserved in 10% formalin, then autoclaved, to evaluate the effectiveness of autoclave decontamination in both preventing helminth infection and identifying helminths. Results: The overall prevalence of helminth infections in some domestic animals (cattle, dogs and pig) in Thua Thien Hue province was 42%. Parasitic helminth egg specimens can be stored for a long time by autoclaving to avoid infection. Conclusions: The rate of helminth infections in some domestic animals in Thua Thien Hue province is still relatively high. The method of autoclaving and decontamination has the potential to prevent helminth infection in the laboratory and safty for storage slide. Key words: helminths, livestock, decontamination.

Detection of multidrug-resistant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in some food products and cattle faeces in Al-Sharkia, Egypt: one health menace

BackgroundShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen, that is transmitted from a variety of animals, especially cattle to humans via contaminated food, water, feaces or contact with infected environment or animals. The ability of STEC strains to cause gastrointestinal complications in human is due to the production of Shiga toxins (sxt). However, the transmission of multidrug-resistance STEC strains are linked with a severity of disease outcomes and horizontal spread of resistance genes in other pathogens. The result of this has emerged as a significant threat to public health, animal health, food safety, and the environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the antibiogram profile of enteric E. coli O157 isolated from food products and cattle faeces samples in Zagazig City, Al-Sharkia, Egypt, and to reveal the presence of Shiga toxin genes stx1 and stx2 as virulence factors in multidrug-resistant isolates. In addition to this, the partial 16S rRNA sequencing was used for the identification and genetic recoding of the obtained STEC isolates.ResultsThere was a total of sixty-five samples collected from different geographical regions at Zagazig City, Al-Sharkia—Egypt, which were divided into: 15 chicken meat (C), 10 luncheon (L), 10 hamburgers (H), and 30 cattle faeces (CF). From the sixty-five samples, only 10 samples (one from H, and 9 from CF) were identified as suspicious E. coli O157 with colourless colonies on sorbitol MacConkey agar media with Cefixime- Telurite supplement at the last step of most probable number (MPN) technique. Eight isolates (all from CF) were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) as they showed resistance to three antibiotics with multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ≥ 0.23, which were assessed by standard Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. These eight isolates demonstrated complete resistance (100%) against amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and high frequencies of resistance (90%, 70%, 60%,60%, and 40%) against cefoxitin, polymixin, erythromycin, ceftazidime, and piperacillin, respectively. Those eight MDR E. coli O157 underwent serological assay to confirm their serotype. Only two isolates (CF8, and CF13), both from CF, were showed strong agglutination with antisera O157 and H7, as well as resistance against 8 out of 13 of the used antibiotics with the highest MAR index (0.62). The presence of virulence genes Shiga toxins (stx1 and stx2) was assessed by PCR technique. CF8 was confirmed for carrying stx2, while CF13 was carrying both genes stx1, and stx2. Both isolates were identified by partial molecular 16S rRNA sequencing and have an accession number (Acc. No.) of LC666912, and LC666913 on gene bank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CF8, and CF13 were highly homologous (98%) to E. coli H7 strain, and (100%) to E. coli DH7, respectively.ConclusionThe results of this study provides evidence for the occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 that carries Shiga toxins stx1 and/or stx2, with a high frequency of resistance to antibiotics commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, in Zagazig City, Al-Sharkia, Egypt. This has a high extent of public health risk posed by animal reservoirs and food products with respect to easy transmission causing outbreaks and transfer resistance genes to other pathogens in animal, human, and plants. Therefore, environmental, animal husbandry, and food product surveillance, as well as, clinical infection control, must be strengthened to avoid the extra spread of MDR pathogens, especially MDR STEC strains.

The Identification of Streptococcus pasteurianus Obtained from Six Regions in China by Multiplex PCR Assay and the Characteristics of Pathogenicity and Antimicrobial Resistance of This Zoonotic Pathogen.

Streptococcus pasteurianus is a zoonotic pathogen causing meningitis and bacteremia in animals and humans. A lack of accurate and convenient detection methods hinders preventing and controlling diseases caused by S. pasteurianus. Additionally, there is limited knowledge about its pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance characteristics, as there are only three complete genome sequences available. In this study, we established a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of S. pasteurianus, which was applied to six fecal samples from cattle with diarrhea and 285 samples from healthy pigs. Out of the samples tested, 24 were positive, including 5 from pig tonsils, 18 from pig hilar lymph nodes, and 1 from cattle feces. Two strains were isolated from positive samples, and their complete genomes were sequenced. The two strains were non-virulent in mice and multidrug-resistant by the antimicrobial susceptibility test. We first found the presence of genes tet(O/W/32/O) and lsa(E) in S. pasteurianus, leading to resistance to lincosamides and tetracyclines. The convenient and specific multiplex PCR assay provides essential technical support for epidemiological research, and the complete genome sequence of two non-virulent strains contributes to understanding this zoonotic bacterium's genomic characteristics and pathogenesis.

Assessment of Wastewater Management at the Etoudi Slaughterhouse in the Municipality of Yaoundé - Cameroon

The management of wastewater in developing countries is a crucial challenge. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi on physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality of the Ako'o. This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase (preliminary) in April 2022, during which a prospecting along the rivers and its watershed was performed. The second phase extended from May to October 2022, was dedicated in the collection of hydrological data, samples of water samples and bacteriological at each station coupled to the data analysis. This wastewater were collected from different stations, stored in refrigerated cooler and brought back to the laboratory for monitoring physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters according to standard protocols. The results show the effluent discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi exhibit high levels of pollution physicochemical (CND, MES, NO₃, NH₄⁺, PO₄^3ˉ, COD and BOD 5) and bacteriological (CF and SF) in the receiving environment having a negative impact on the watercourse Ako'o. negative impacts were increased to 90% by the dunghill faeces oxen or invading the rights of way areas. Existing gutters are littered with faeces of any kind and are not priests. Which causes recurring floods during the rainy season, the proliferation of insects and rodents and the emanation of foul odors and the persistence of certain diseases such as malaria typhoid fever, dysentery etc. this wastewater join the River Ako'o. This constitutes a major source of environmental pollution in general and rivers of waters Ako'o in particular. The positive impacts threshold is the use of cattle feces for farming populations who find themselves in different fields. Effluent discharges from the slaughterhouse Etoudi present an environmental and health risk because of high concentrations of physicochemical and bacteriological pollutants. A treatment system is needed to ensure environmental and health safety.

A Longitudinal Study on the Dynamics of Salmonella enterica Prevalence and Serovar Composition in Beef Cattle Feces and Lymph Nodes and Potential Contributing Sources from the Feedlot Environment.

Salmonella can persist in the feedlot pen environment, acting as a source of transmission among beef cattle. Concurrently, cattle that are colonized with Salmonella can perpetuate contamination of the pen environment through fecal shedding. To study these cyclical dynamics, pen environment and bovine samples were collected for a 7-month longitudinal comparison of Salmonella prevalence, serovar, and antimicrobial resistance profiles. These samples included composite environment, water, and feed from the feedlot pens (n = 30) and cattle (n = 282) feces and subiliac lymph nodes. Salmonella prevalence across all sample types was 57.7%, with the highest prevalence in the pen environment (76.0%) and feces (70.9%). Salmonella was identified in 42.3% of the subiliac lymph nodes. Based on a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model, Salmonella prevalence varied significantly (P < 0.05) by collection month for most sample types. Eight Salmonella serovars were identified, and most isolates were pansusceptible, except for a point mutation in the parC gene, associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. There was a proportional difference in serovars Montevideo, Anatum, and Lubbock comparing the environment (37.2, 15.9, and 11.0%, respectively), fecal (27.5, 22.2, and 14.6%, respectively), and lymph node (15.6, 30.2, and 17.7%, respectively) samples. This suggests that the ability of Salmonella to migrate from the pen environment to the cattle host-or vice versa-is serovar specific. The presence of certain serovars also varied by season. Our results provide evidence that Salmonella serovar dynamics differ when comparing environment and host; therefore, developing serovar-specific preharvest environmental Salmonella mitigation strategies should be considered. IMPORTANCE Salmonella contamination of beef products, specifically from the incorporation of bovine lymph nodes into ground beef, remains a food safety concern. Current postharvest Salmonella mitigation techniques do not address Salmonella bacteria that are harbored in the lymph nodes, nor is it well understood how Salmonella invades the lymph nodes. Alternatively, preharvest mitigation techniques that can be applied to the feedlot environment, such as moisture applications, probiotics, or bacteriophage, may reduce Salmonella before dissemination into cattle lymph nodes. However, previous research conducted in cattle feedlots includes study designs that are cross-sectional, are limited to point-in-time sampling, or are limited to sampling of the cattle host, making it difficult to assess the Salmonella interactions between environment and hosts. This longitudinal analysis of the cattle feedlot explores the Salmonella dynamics between the feedlot environment and beef cattle over time to determine the applicability of preharvest environmental treatments.

Incidence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) of Escherichia Coli Isolated from the Feces of Dairy Cattles in Blitar

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) has caused a serious global threat to human health, animal health and food security. The antibiotic resistance problem, especially in Gram-negative bacteria, is increasingly widespread in various areas and has increased mortality, morbidity, and incidence. This study aims to determine the incidence of ESBL E. coli and the AMR and MDR properties of E.coli isolated from the feces of dairy cattles in Blitar, which have not been reported. This research was conducted from June to September 2022 with 60 samples of dairy cattle feces in Blitar. Samples were isolated and identified until confirmed that 55 (91.6%) samples were E. coli. All samples showed AMR character with 100% streptomycin, 87.27% chloramphenicol, 85.45% ampicillin, 72.73% cefotaxime, 40% tetracycline, 21.82% ciprofloxacin, and 14.55% sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Forty-nine samples were MDR, with 10.9% resistant in three groups, 34.5% in four groups, 29.1% in five groups, 10.9% in six groups, and 3.6% in seven groups. MDR E. coli isolates were then confirmed for ESBL using the DDST test. The incidence of ESBL-producing E. coli from dairy cattle feces in Blitar was 40% (22 isolates). The results of this study can be a warning in the human health, animal health and food security.

Optimal schemes for the use of anthelmintics at gastrointestinal strongylatosis of young cattle

The purpose of the research is to study the rational terms for the use of anthelmintics in case of gastrointestinal strongylatoses of young cattle in Nonchernozem zone of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. The timing of the onset of re-isolation of nematode eggs with feces of cattle after the use of some anthelmintics was determined on 50 black-motley calves weighing 117–130 kg, spontaneously infected with gastrointestinal strongylates. The optimal schemes for the use of anthelmintics in case of gastrointestinal strongylatosis of young cattle were studied on 109 calves of the first year of grazing in the pasture period of 2010. After numbering, the animals were weighed and divided into experimental and control groups. Each group was divided into two subgroups of 15–17 heads. Animals of all groups from May 3 to October 10, 2018 were grazed together in one herd on a pasture where cattle infected with strongylates had previously grazed. Levamisole from the group of imidothiazoles, Alben from the group of benzimidazoles and Aversect-2 from the group of macrocyclic lactones were tested. The drugs were used in therapeutic doses: levamisole at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg by AS intramuscularly, Alben at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg with concentrated feed, and Aversect-2 at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously once. Levamisole was administered to the animals of the first group on the 6th, 10th and 14th weeks of grazing, and to the animals of the second group - on the 6th and 10th weeks of grazing. Alben was used on young cattle of the third group on the 6th, 11th and 16th weeks, and on the animals of the fourth group - on the 6th and 11th weeks of grazing. Aversect-2 was administered to cattle of the fifth group at the 6th, 13th and 20th weeks of grazing, and to the animals of the sixth group – at the 6th and 13th weeks. Animals of the 7th group did not receive the drug and served as control. Fecal samples were taken from animals of all groups on a monthly basis and investigated by a quantitative method in order to detect eggs of gastrointestinal strongylate. The results obtained were statistically processed using the computer program Microsoft Excel.Results and discussion. Tests of drugs for gastrointestinal strongylatoses of young cattle showed different persistence of anthelmintic action. After deworming the animals, single eggs of strongylate in their faeces were again detected 4 weeks after the administration of Levamisole, 5 weeks after the administration of Alben, and 7 weeks after the administration of Aversect-2. The most rational scheme for deworming young cattle with gastrointestinal strongylatoses is the use of Aversect-2 on the 6th and 19th weeks of grazing.

Optimization of Probiotic Lactobacilli Production for In-Feed Supplementation to Feedlot Cattle

The selection of probiotic bacteria based on their beneficial characteristics does not necessarily mean they can be later scaled up and used for technological applications and formula design. Three probiotic strains—Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL2074, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CRL2085, and Limosolactobacillus mucosae CRL2069, originally isolated from feedlot cattle feces—have demonstrated beneficial characteristics when used as in-feed probiotics. Therefore, the current study was conducted to develop a low-cost culture medium to optimize growth conditions to enhance biomass production. The study also sought to identify appropriate cryoprotective agents to sustain high functional cell numbers after freeze drying. A central composite design was applied to determine the optimal medium composition. This yielded a simplified, low-cost effective medium containing 3% molasses and industrial yeast extracts (0.5 to 2.5%) as carbon and nitrogen sources, which were added to a basal medium for each strain. Established production conditions at 37 °C, without agitation, and pH-controlled for the CRL2085 and CRL2069 strains, and free pH for the CRL2074 strain, allowed us to obtain biomass yields of 12.95, 18.20, and 12.25 g, respectively, at 24-h incubation, compared with the MRS medium. In addition, the cryoprotective effect of the selected agents was demonstrated to be strain-dependent. Thus, the highest viability (109–1010 CFU/g), stability during 30-d storage, and survival rate (88–99%) were achieved when 10% MSG (monosodium glutamate), sucrose + fructose + trehalose + WPC (whey protein concentrate) + 10% MSG, and 1.2% WPC + 10% trehalose, were used for freeze drying CRL2074, CRL2085, and CRL2069, respectively. Moreover, the probiotic strains retained their probiotic functionality when hydrophobic characteristics were evaluated. These results highlight the need to perform strain-specific evaluation of the critical factors involved in the large-scale production of probiotic lactobacilli to sustain viability and stability after the freeze drying and storage processes.

Enterobacterales plasmid sharing amongst human bloodstream infections, livestock, wastewater, and waterway niches in Oxfordshire, UK.

Plasmids enable the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in common Enterobacterales pathogens, representing a major public health challenge. However, the extent of plasmid sharing and evolution between Enterobacterales causing human infections and other niches remains unclear, including the emergence of resistance plasmids. Dense, unselected sampling is essential to developing our understanding of plasmid epidemiology and designing appropriate interventions to limit the emergence and dissemination of plasmid-associated AMR. We established a geographically and temporally restricted collection of human bloodstream infection (BSI)-associated, livestock-associated (cattle, pig, poultry, and sheep faeces, farm soils) and wastewater treatment work (WwTW)-associated (influent, effluent, waterways upstream/downstream of effluent outlets) Enterobacterales. Isolates were collected between 2008 and 2020 from sites <60 km apart in Oxfordshire, UK. Pangenome analysis of plasmid clusters revealed shared 'backbones', with phylogenies suggesting an intertwined ecology where well-conserved plasmid backbones carry diverse accessory functions, including AMR genes. Many plasmid 'backbones' were seen across species and niches, raising the possibility that plasmid movement between these followed by rapid accessory gene change could be relatively common. Overall, the signature of identical plasmid sharing is likely to be a highly transient one, implying that plasmid movement might be occurring at greater rates than previously estimated, raising a challenge for future genomic One Health studies.

Germination, overcoming seed dormancy and endozoochory dispersal by cattle of native species from natural grassland

AbstractNatural grasslands, one of the main ecosystems worldwide, are under threat and native species are desired when addressing restoration issues. The main processes for grasslands restoration success are plant establishment and seed addition in the soil. Thus, it requires overcoming barriers that prevent germination and seed dispersal strategies. This study aimed to assess the germination potential, treatments to overcome seed dormancy and endozoochory dispersal of forage native species by cattle. Seeds from 21 native species from the four most common botanical families (Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Cyperaceae) were collected in a natural grassland area (Pampa Biome) and used in the experiments. Experiment I: germination under controlled conditions of all species was carried out and compared to commercial forage (Paspalum notatum cv. “Pensacola”). Experiment II: three treatments to overcome seed dormancy (mechanical and chemical scarification; priming agent) were tested in six species. Experiment III: the recovery, viability and germination of native P. notatum Flüggé and Desmodium incanum DC seeds from cattle faeces were evaluated. The results show that Paspalum umbrosum Trin. and Saccharum angustifolium Nees have high germination potential when compared to commercial forage. The treatments to overcome seed dormancy increased the germination of D. incanum, Paspalum plicatulum Michx. and Paspalum dilatatum Poir. Total seed recovery of 15% (P. notatum) and 26% (D. incanum), without affecting seed viability, show that cattle are able to supply the soil seed bank with native species. Germination potential, treatments to overcome seed dormancy and endozoochory dispersal of forage native species may be exploited in natural grassland restoration.

Putative volatile biomarkers of bovine tuberculosis infection in breath, skin and feces of cattle.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious disease with significant impact on animal health, public health and international trade. Standard bTB screening in live cattle consists in injecting tuberculin and measuring the swelling at the place of injection few days later. This procedure is expensive, time-consuming, logistically challenging, and is not conclusive before performing confirmatory tests and additional analysis. The analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by non-invasive biological samples can provide an alternative diagnostic approach suitable for bTB screening. In the present study, we analyzed VOC samples emitted through the breath, feces and skin of 18 cows diagnosed with bTB from three farms from Romania, as well as of 27 negative cows for bTB from the same farms. Analytical studies employing gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry revealed 80 VOCs emitted through the breath, 200 VOCs released by feces, and 80 VOCs emitted through the skin. Statistical analysis of these compounds allowed the identification of 3 tentative breath VOC biomarkers (acetone; 4-methyldecane; D-limonene), 9 tentative feces VOC biomarkers (toluene; [(1,1-dimethylethyl)thio]acetic acid; alpha-thujene; camphene; phenol; o-cymene; 3-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-pentanol; 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide; 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol), and 3 tentative skin VOC biomarkers (ammonia; 1-methoxy-2-propanol; toluene). The possible pathway of these volatile biomarkers is discussed.

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in fecal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolates from beef cow-calf operations in northern California and associations with farm practices.

Antimicrobials are necessary for the treatment of bacterial infections in animals, but increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a concern for veterinarians and livestock producers. This cross-sectional study was conducted on cow-calf operations in northern California to assess prevalence of AMR in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. shed in feces of beef cattle of different life stages, breeds, and past antimicrobial exposures and to evaluate if any significant factors could be identified that are associated with AMR status of the isolates. A total of 244 E. coli and 238 Enterococcus isolates were obtained from cow and calf fecal samples, tested for susceptibility to 19 antimicrobials, and classified as resistant or non-susceptible to the antimicrobials for which breakpoints were available. For E. coli, percent of resistant isolates by antimicrobial were as follows: ampicillin 100% (244/244), sulfadimethoxine 25.4% (62/244), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 4.9% (12/244), and ceftiofur 0.4% (1/244) while percent of non-susceptible isolates by antimicrobial were: tetracycline 13.1% (32/244), and florfenicol 19.3% (47/244). For Enterococcus spp., percent of resistant isolates by antimicrobial were as follows: ampicillin 0.4% (1/238) while percent of non-susceptible isolates by antimicrobial were tetracycline 12.6% (30/238) and penicillin 1.7% (4/238). No animal level or farm level management practices, including antimicrobial exposures, were significantly associated with differences in isolate resistant or non-susceptible status for either E. coli or Enterococcus isolates. This is contrary to the suggestion that administration of antibiotics is solely responsible for development of AMR in exposed bacteria and demonstrates that there are other factors involved, either not captured in this study or not currently well understood. In addition, the overall use of antimicrobials in this cow-calf study was lower than other sectors of the livestock industry. Limited information is available on cow-calf AMR from fecal bacteria, and the results of this study serve as a reference for future studies to support a better understanding and estimation of drivers and trends for AMR in cow-calf operations.

Improved DNA Amplification of the Hallmark IS900 Element in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis: a Reexamination Based on Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis.

Amplification of the IS900 multicopy element is a hallmark nucleic acid-based diagnostic test for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, which causes Johne's disease in ruminants. This assay is frequently used to determine the presence of the bacterium in feces of infected cattle and sheep. Two IS900 primer sets developed in the 1990s were widely used for decades, and their use has continued in current studies. However, these primers were developed prior to the availability of complete genome sequences. Recent sequence analysis of the binding locations for one primer pair (P90/P91) identified errors and binding inefficiencies that can be easily corrected to further increase detection sensitivity. The P90 primer is missing two nucleotides that should be present near the 3' end, and it does not bind all copies of IS900 due to 5' deletions at some IS900 loci. These IS900 primer pairs, along with newly developed primers, were tested by real-time PCR on purified genomic DNA to determine which primer set performed the best and how primer design errors affect amplification efficiencies. The newly designed PCR primer set (JB5) showed increased sensitivity by two to three quantification cycles using purified genomic DNA and was similar in efficiency to 150C/921. These tests were extended using DNA from feces and tissues of infected cows, which showed similar results. Finally, a 167-bp partial duplication of IS900 was found in type I strains. Although P90 and P91 primers successfully amplify M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis DNA, their use should be discontinued in favor of more efficient primer pairs in future studies. IMPORTANCE This study is an example of how applied genomic analysis can aid diagnostic test improvements. Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection of livestock prior to the appearance of clinical disease signs is very difficult but essential for identifying animals shedding the bacterium to prevent transmission of Johne's disease. Total M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis quantity in the feces as determined by real-time PCR (qPCR) using the IS900 target indicates bacterial shedding status and potential for transmission of the pathogen. However, legacy primers designed prior to the availability of complete genome sequences that are used in these tests to detect M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis were based on data from only a single copy of IS900 and not considering all copies collectively as a group. This approach resulted in primer design errors which can be easily corrected to improve test sensitivities. We tested original primers that contain these errors and their corrected versions by qPCR and showed improved sensitivity on purified genomic DNA as well as fecal and tissue samples. These findings may help detect the organism from environmental samples on farms where sensitivity is currently lacking.

Rumen and Fecal Microbiota Characteristics of Qinchuan Cattle with Divergent Residual Feed Intake.

Residual feed intake (RFI) is one of the indicators of feed efficiency. To investigate the microbial characteristics and differences in the gastrointestinal tract of beef cattle with different RFI, a metagenome methodology was used to explore the characteristics of the rumen and fecal microbiota in 10 Qinchuan cattle (five in each of the extremely high and extremely low RFI groups). The results of taxonomic annotation revealed that Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla in rumen and feces. Prevotella was identified as a potential biomarker in the rumen of the LRFI group by the LEfSe method, while Turicibacter and Prevotella might be potential biomarkers of the HRFI and LRFI group in feces, respectively. Functional annotation revealed that the microbiota in the rumen of the HRFI group had a greater ability to utilize dietary polysaccharides and dietary protein. Association analysis of rumen microbes (genus level) with host genes revealed that microbiota including Prevotella, Paraprevotella, Treponema, Oscillibacter, and Muribaculum, were significantly associated with differentially expressed genes regulating RFI. This study discovered variances in the microbial composition of rumen and feces of beef cattle with different RFIs, demonstrating that differences in microbes may play a critical role in regulating the bovine divergent RFI phenotype variations.

Fine Particle Adsorption Capacity of Volcanic Soil from Southern Kyushu, Japan.

"Akahoya" is a volcanic soil classified as a special soil deposited in Kyushu, Japan. Many of its properties are not yet clearly understood. We found that Akahoya had the potential to adsorb bacteria in cattle feces, which prompted us to investigate its material properties and perform experiments to comprehensively evaluate its adsorption performance for various fine particles such as acidic and basic dyes, NOx/SOx gas, and phosphoric acid ions, in addition to bacteria. Akahoya had a very high specific surface area owing to the large number of nanometer-sized pores in its structure; it exhibited a high adsorption capacity for both NO2 and SO2. Regarding the zeta potential of Akahoya, the point of zero charge was approximately pH 7.0. The surface potential had a significant effect on the adsorption of acidic and basic dyes. Akahoya had a very high cation exchange capacity when the sample surface was negatively charged and a high anion exchange capacity when the sample surface was positively charged. Akahoya also exhibited a relatively high adsorption capacity for phosphoric acid because of its high level of Al2O3, and the immersion liquid had a very high Al ion concentration. Finally, filtration tests were performed on Escherichia coli suspension using a column filled with Akahoya or another volcanic soil sample. The results confirmed that the Escherichia coli adhered on the Akahoya sample. The results of the Escherichia coli release test, after the filtration test, suggested that this adhesion to Akahoya could be phosphorus-mediated.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PUPUK BOKASHI FESES SAPI SUMBA ONGOLE TERHADAP NILAI NUTRISI SESBANIA GRANDIFLORA

The aims of the experiment was to determine the effect of bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle Sumba Ongole cattle on the nutritional value of the Sesbania grandiflora. This experiment used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments with 4 replications consisting of P0: without bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle/planting hole, P1: bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle 200 grams/planting hole, P2: bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle 500 grams/planting hole, P3: bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle 800 grams/planting hole, and P4: bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle 1000 grams/planting hole. The variables observed in this experiment consisted of crude protein and crude fiber. The results showed that the bokshi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle feces had not significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on crude protein and crude fiber. Conclusion, giving bokashi fertilizer Sumba Ongole cattle up to 1.000 grams had nutritional value same.