Diarrhea Duration and Performance Outcomes of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves Supplemented with Bacteriophage

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate lytic bacteriophage supplementation in pre-weaned dairy calves over neonatal calf diarrhea and respiratory diseases occurrence, performance and biochemical parameters. Also, to determine bacterial agents causing NCD. Two hundred Holstein×Gyr crossbred female calves were divided into two groups: Control (CON, n = 100), no supplementation; and Bacteriophage (PHAGE, n = 100) bacteriophage supplementation (1 g/day) from d 3 until d 70 of life. Calves were monitored daily for respiratory disease and diarrhea, as for age at the first diarrheic episode and its duration. Fecal samples were cultured for isolation of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. colonies and PCR was performed to identify E. coli virulence genes and to confirm Salmonella spp. Performance outcomes were evaluated up to 80 d of age. Blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of total proteins, albumin, cholesterol, γ-glutamyl transferase and urea. PHAGE group had fewer days in diarrhea and duration of the first episode was lower, compared to CON group. Fecal samples of three animals in PHAGE and nine in CON were positive for E. coli in PCR. Thoracic perimeter tended to be higher in supplemented animals. Average daily gain mean of PHAGE was higher in the first 30 d of life, at the beginning of step-down weaning (up to 42 d) and after weaning (up to 80 d). PHAGE mean was lower for albumin and higher for urea. Therefore, phage therapy during the pre-weaned period reduced the duration of neonatal diarrhea, providing greater weight gain for calves.

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Analysis of the developing gut microbiota in young dairy calves—impact of colostrum microbiota and gut disturbances

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-020-02535-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bui Phan Thu Hang ◽

Ewa Wredle ◽

Johan Dicksved

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Amplicon Sequencing ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Calf Health ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractThe aim of this study was to characterize the colostrum and fecal microbiota in calves and to investigate whether fecal microbiota composition was related to colostrum microbiota or factors associated with calf health. Colostrum samples were collected in buckets after hand milking of 76 calving cows from 38 smallholder dairy farms. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectum of 76 calves at birth and at 14 days age. The bacterial community structure in colostrum and feces was analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism for all samples, and the microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for a subset of the samples (8 colostrum, 40 fecal samples). There was a significant difference in fecal microbiota composition between day 0 and day 14 samples, but no associations between the microbiota and average daily gain, birth weight, or transfer of passive immunity. At 14 days of age, Faecalibacterium and Butyricicoccus were prevalent in higher relative abundances in the gut of healthy calves compared to calves with diarrhea that had been treated with antimicrobials. Colostrum showed great variation in composition of microbiota but no association to fecal microbiota. This study provides the first insights into the composition of colostrum and fecal microbiota of young dairy calves in southern Vietnam and can form the basis for future more detailed studies.

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159 Evaluation of Bacillus Subtilis PB6 Probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500) on Feedlot Phase Growth Performance, Efficiency of Dietary Net Energy Utilization, and Fecal and Subiliac Lymph Node Salmonella Prevalence

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 119-120

Author(s):

Zachary K Smith ◽

Paul Rand R Broadway ◽

Keith Underwood ◽

Warren C Rusche ◽

Julie Walker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Net Energy ◽

Fecal Samples

Abstract Yearling beef steers (n = 238; initial BW=402 ± 31.2 kg) were used to evaluate a Bacillus subtilis probiotic on growth performance, dietary net energy (NE) utilization, carcass characteristics, and fecal and subiliac lymph node Salmonella prevalence during a 140-d finishing period. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (n = 9 to 10 steers/pen) and assigned to one of two treatments (12 pens/treatment): no probiotic (CON) or 0.50 g·steer-1·d-1 of a Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; CLO). Steers were transitioned to a 90% concentrate diet (DM basis) over 14-d. Steers were fed once daily at 0700 h; bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management. Fecal samples were collected on d 1, 28, 56, 112, and 140 from each pen (n = 5 steers/pen) via rectal palpation and composited by pen for determination of Salmonella prevalence. Upon harvest, subiliac lymph nodes were obtained from 60 steers in CON and 57 steers in CLO. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design; pen was the experimental unit; α of 0.05 determined significance. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.25) between treatments for live or carcass-adjusted average daily gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, dietary NE utilization, nor calculated dietary NE content based upon performance. No differences were detected between treatments for any carcass traits (P ≥ 0.15). Salmonella was not recovered in any fecal samples except on d 112, where steers from CLO had a numerically lower (P = 0.17; 8.3 vs. 25.0%) incidence of fecal Salmonella compared to CON and on d 140 fecal, where Salmonella incidence did not differ (P = 0.34; 0.0 vs. 8.3%) for CON and CLO, respectively. Salmonella was not recovered in any subiliac lymph nodes. These data indicate that CLO did not influence growth performance or Salmonella prevalence.

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The effect of supplemental bioactive fatty acids on growth performance and immune function of milk-fed Holstein dairy calves during heat stress

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114521000908 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-38

Author(s):

B. Mohtashami ◽

H. Khalilvandi-Behroozyar ◽

R. Pirmohammadi ◽

M. Dehghan-Banadaky ◽

M. Kazemi-Bonchenari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Immune Function ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Bioactive Fatty Acids ◽

Hot Season ◽

Experimental Treatments

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different supplemental fat sources [soybean oil (SBO) as a source of n-6 fatty acid and fish oil (FO) as a source of n-3 fatty acids] in the starter feed of milk-fed dairy calves during the hot season. Forty Holstein calves (3 d of age; 39.67 kg of body weight; ten calves per group) were randomly assigned to the experimental treatments as follows: (1) starter feed supplemented with no fat source (CON), (2) starter feed supplemented with 3% SBO (DM basis), (3) starter feed supplemented with 3% FO (DM basis), and (4) starter feed supplemented with an equal mixture of SBO and FO (1.5% each, DM basis). The milk feeding schedule was constant for treatments and all calves were weaned on d 65 of age. Results show that calves had greater starter intake, average daily gain, and body length when fed SBO compared to other treatments. However, feed efficiency was increased and inflammatory indicators (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin) concentrations were reduced in the calves fed FO compared to the other treatments. In summary, it was revealed that SBO rich in n-6 FA improved starter intake and growth performance, while FO rich in n-3 FA could improve the immune function of calves. Due to the current experimental condition, an equal mixture of SBO and FO (1.5% each, DM basis) can be recommended to have an optimum growth performance and immune function while the calves are reared under the heat conditions.

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Genomic evolution of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93970-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon ◽

Markus Hans Kristofer Johansson ◽

Patrick Munk ◽

Burkhard Malorny ◽

Magdalena Skarżyńska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Mobile Genetic Elements ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Genetic Elements

AbstractThe emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest health threats globally. In addition, the use of antimicrobial drugs in humans and livestock is considered an important driver of antimicrobial resistance. The commensal microbiota, and especially the intestinal microbiota, has been shown to have an important role in the emergence of AMR. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) also play a central role in facilitating the acquisition and spread of AMR genes. We isolated Escherichia coli (n = 627) from fecal samples in respectively 25 poultry, 28 swine, and 15 veal calf herds from 6 European countries to investigate the phylogeny of E. coli at country, animal host and farm levels. Furthermore, we examine the evolution of AMR in E. coli genomes including an association with virulence genes, plasmids and MGEs. We compared the abundance metrics retrieved from metagenomic sequencing and whole genome sequenced of E. coli isolates from the same fecal samples and farms. The E. coli isolates in this study indicated no clonality or clustering based on country of origin and genetic markers; AMR, and MGEs. Nonetheless, mobile genetic elements play a role in the acquisition of AMR and virulence genes. Additionally, an abundance of AMR was agreeable between metagenomic and whole genome sequencing analysis for several AMR classes in poultry fecal samples suggesting that metagenomics could be used as an indicator for surveillance of AMR in E. coli isolates and vice versa.

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Evaluation of Dietary Probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Fecal Gas Emission, and Fecal Microbiota in Weaning Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082232 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2232

Author(s):

Huan Wang ◽

In-ho Kim

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Lactobacillus Plantarum ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Fecal Microbiota ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Gas Emission ◽

Blood Profile ◽

E Coli ◽

Weaning Pigs

A total of 180, 4-week-old crossbred weaning piglets ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc; 6.67 ± 1.40 kg) were used in a 42 day experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, fecal microbiota, and noxious gas emission. All pigs were randomly allotted to one of four treatment diets in a completely randomized block design. Each treatment had nine replicates with five pigs/pen (mixed sex) Designated dietary treatments were as: (1) basal diet (NC), (2) NC + 0.2% antibiotics (chlortetracycline) (PC), (3) NC + 0.1% L. plantarum BG0001 (Lactobacillus plantarum BG0001) (NC1), (4) NC + 0.2% L. plantarum BG0001 (NC2). On d 42, BW and G:F were lower (p < 0.05) in pigs fed NC diet compared with PC diet and probiotic diets. Throughout this experiment, the average daily gain increased (p < 0.05) in pigs when fed with PC and probiotic diets than the NC diet. The average daily feed intake was higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed PC diet during day 0–7 and 22–42, and probiotic diets during day 0–7 compared with NC diet, respectively. The Lactobacillus count was increased and Escherichia coli count was decreased (p < 0.05) in the fecal microbiota of pigs fed probiotic diets, and E. coli were decreased (p < 0.05) when fed a PC diet compared with the NC diet on day 21. Moreover, the apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and the concentration of noxious gas emission had no negative effects by the probiotic treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with L. plantarum BG0001 significantly improved the growth performance, increased fecal Lactobacillus, and decreased E. coli counts in weaning pigs.

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280 Descriptive Characteristics of Preweaned Heifer Raising Practices on China Dairy Farms: Colostrum Quality, Passive Transfer Status and Growth Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.272 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 148-149

Author(s):

Shuai Liu ◽

Tianyu Chen ◽

Jiaqi Li ◽

Wenli Guo ◽

Rong Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Serum Total Protein ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Whole Milk ◽

Report System ◽

Few Data ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Few data are available on the descriptive characteristics of colostrum quality, passive transfer status and growth performance within a national population in China. This study included 110 dairy operations in 23 provinces, and data were obtained from management software, report system and questionnaires from 2015 to 2019. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results showed that colostrum quality was measured in 96.4% of farms and colostrum was pasteurized in 91.8% of farms. 83.6% of colostrum was excellent (Brix > 22%). Colostrum could be fed to calves within 1 hour after birth in 86.4% of farms. Besides, calves that experienced failure of passive transfer (serum total protein < 5.2 g/dl) decreased from 2015 to 2019 and accounted for 0.75% of calves in 2019. Most farms (48.8%) feed 400 kg - 600 kg milk during the preweaning period and whole milk was the main type of liquid diet accounting for 70.6% of farms. Meanwhile, 22.0% of farms chose to feed forage before weaning, and 90.1% of these farms fed oat hay. The average birth weight of calves was 37.8 kg and the average daily gain of preweaning calves was 848.3 g/d. For preweaning calves, the proportion of single housing was more than 60%, whereas postweaning calves were mainly raised in groups. The morbidity of preweaning calves in China decreased annually, from 43.3% in 2015 to 25.4% in 2019. Digestive diseases and respiratory diseases were two main diseases, and accounted for 46.0% and 38.4%, respectively. This study provides an overview on dairy calves raising practices in China.

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Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Correlation of Salmonella Serovars Recovered from Greyhound Feces with Their Diet

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063879300500313 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 378-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Gregory G. Stone ◽

M. M. Chengappa ◽

Richard D. Oberst ◽

Nathan H. Gabbert ◽

Scott McVey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Fecal Material ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Antigenic Analysis ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Staphylococcus Intermedius ◽

Standard Procedures ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Salmonella Serovars

The polymerase chain reaction was employed to correlate Salmonella serovars isolated from fecal material of greyhounds suffering from gastroenteritis with those isolated from the diet fed to the greyhounds prior to onset of diarrhea. Kennels around the Abilene, Kansas, area were contacted and supplied with materials needed to collect a portion of the diet each day. With t e onset of diarrhea, the kennels were instructed to ship the fecal material and diet from the previous 10 days to the laboratory for testing. Forty-one fecal samples and corresponding diets were screened for Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacterjejuni, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius, and pathogenic (piliated) Escherichia coli by direct culture using standard procedures. The fecal material was also screened for coronavirus and parvovirus using electron microscopy. Thirty-five “normal” fecal samples were screened for all of the above mentioned microorganisms as a control. In addition, the fecal material was screened for E. coli verotoxins I and II and clostridial enterotoxins. A total of 61 Salmonella isolates were recovered from the 41 samples of feces and diet submitted for testing; 31 were recovered from the feces and 30 from the diet. Four Salmonella isolates were recovered from the normal fecal samples. Results obtained by PCR, plasmid profiles, antigenic analysis, and antibiogram profiles indicated that 16 of the 31 isolates recovered from the fecal material were the same strain as that recovered from the diet.

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Multiplex Quantitative PCR Assays for the Detection and Quantification of the Six Major Non-O157 Escherichia coli Serogroups in Cattle Feces†

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-319 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 66-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

P. B. SHRIDHAR ◽

L. W. NOLL ◽

X. SHI ◽

B. AN ◽

N. CERNICCHIARO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Quantitative Pcr ◽

Foodborne Pathogens ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Target Genes ◽

Culture Methods ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

E Coli ◽

Cattle Feces ◽

Before And After

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145, called non-O157 STEC, are important foodborne pathogens. Cattle, a major reservoir, harbor the organisms in the hindgut and shed them in the feces. Although limited data exist on fecal shedding, concentrations of non-O157 STEC in feces have not been reported. The objectives of our study were (i) to develop and validate two multiplex quantitative PCR (mqPCR) assays, targeting O-antigen genes of O26, O103, and O111 (mqPCR-1) and O45, O121, and O145 (mqPCR-2); (ii) to utilize the two assays, together with a previously developed four-plex qPCR assay (mqPCR-3) targeting the O157 antigen and three virulence genes (stx1, stx2, and eae), to quantify seven serogroups and three virulence genes in cattle feces; and (iii) to compare the three mqPCR assays to a 10-plex conventional PCR (cPCR) targeting seven serogroups and three virulence genes and culture methods to detect seven E. coli serogroups in cattle feces. The two mqPCR assays (1 and 2) were shown to be specific to the target genes, and the detection limits were 4 and 2 log CFU/g of pure culture–spiked fecal samples, before and after enrichment, respectively. A total of 576 fecal samples collected from a feedlot were enriched in E. coli broth and were subjected to quantification (before enrichment) and detection (after enrichment). Of the 576 fecal samples subjected, before enrichment, to three mqPCR assays for quantification, 175 (30.4%) were quantifiable (≥4 log CFU/g) for at least one of the seven serogroups, with O157 being the most common serogroup. The three mqPCR assays detected higher proportions of postenriched fecal samples (P < 0.01) as positive for one or more serogroups compared with cPCR and culture methods. This is the first study to assess the applicability of qPCR assays to detect and quantify six non-O157 serogroups in cattle feces and to generate data on fecal concentration of the six serogroups.

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Long-Haul Transport and Lack of Preconditioning Increases Fecal Shedding of Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Calves†

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-67.4.672 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 672-678 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

S. J. BACH ◽

T. A. McALLISTER ◽

G. J. MEARS ◽

K. S. SCHWARTZKOPF-GENSWEIN

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Escherichia Coli O157 ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Fecal Shedding ◽

E Coli ◽

Susceptibility To Infection

The effects of weaning and transport on fecal shedding of Escherichia coli and on E. coli O157:H7 were investigated using 80 Angus and 94 Charolais range steer calves blocked by breed and assigned to four treatments. The calves were or were not preconditioned before transport on commercial cattle liner to the feedlot via long (15 h) or short (3 h) hauling duration, yielding preconditioned long haul (P-L; n = 44), preconditioned short haul (P-S; n = 44), nonpreconditioned long haul (NP-L; n = 43), and nonpreconditioned short haul (NP-S; n = 43). Preconditioned calves were vaccinated and weaned 29 and 13 days, respectively, before transport. Nonpreconditioned calves were weaned 1 day before long or short hauling, penned for 24 h and hauled again for 2 h, and vaccinated on arrival at the feedlot. Fecal samples were collected from calves while on pasture, at weaning, at loading for transport, on arrival at the feedlot, twice in the first week, and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for enumeration of total E. coli (biotype 1) and detection of E. coli O157:H7. No calves were positive for E. coli O157:H7 before transport. Following transport, more (P < 0.005) NP-L calves (6 of 43) tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 than did P-L (1 of 44), NP-S (1 of 43), or P-S (0 of 44) calves, and on days 0, 1, 7, and 21, their levels of shedding of E. coli were higher (P < 0.005). The calves' susceptibility to infection from the environment (possibly the holding facilities or feedlot pens) was likely elevated by the stresses of weaning, transport, and relocation. Lack of preconditioning and long periods of transport (NP-L) increased fecal shedding of E. coli and E. coli O157:H7. Preconditioning may serve to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding by range calves on arrival at the feedlot.

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Supplementation of Holstein dairy calves fed two levels of crude protein with methionine and lysine

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v50i3.11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 442-451

Author(s):

M. Niroumand ◽

K. Rezayazdi ◽

M. Ganjkhanlou

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Reduced Body ◽

Holstein Calves ◽

Amino Acid Balance ◽

Immunoglobin G ◽

Daily Gain

This study aimed to investigate various levels of crude protein (CP) in starter diets and their supplementation with amino acids (AAs) on efficiency, health, and serum metabolites of dairy calves. Ninety-six newborn Holstein calves were allocated to eight treatments, namely T1) 18% CP unsupplemented starter, T2) T1 supplemented with additional 20% methionine, T3) T1 with additional 20% lysine and 20% methionine, T4) T1 with additional 20% lysine, T5) 22% CP unsupplemented starter, T6) T5 supplemented with additional 20% methionine, T7) T5 supplemented with additional 20% lysine and 20% methionine, and T8) T5 supplemented with additional 20% lysine. Consumption of the starter was not influenced by the level of CP. Calves that received the unsupplemented 22% CP starter had higher average daily gain (ADG) and final weight. But no significant differences among diets were found in feed efficiency. Skeletal growth did not exhibit a clear trend. Calves that received T3 had fewer bouts of diarrhea and reduced body temperature. However, there were no significant dietary effects on immunoglobin G (IgG) or total protein concentration in blood. T1–T3 decreased serum urea concentration. Thus, use of T3 resulted in an improved amino acid balance, and was less expensive than the 22% CP starter.Keywords: amino acid, feed intake, immunity, pre-ruminant calf

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