Prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella spp in dairy herds

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of Salmonella spp in Ohio dairy farms and to identify potential risk factors for fecal shedding of salmonellae. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 105 Ohio dairy farms. PROCEDURE: Individual fecal samples from all mature cows in study herds were tested for Salmonella spp by use of standard bacteriologic culture procedures. Herds were identified as infected if at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Information regarding herd characteristics, management practices, and health history were collected. Potential risk factors for herd-level Salmonella infection were identified. RESULTS: In 31% of the study herds (95% confidence interval, 22 to 40%), at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Six percent of 7,776 fecal samples contained Salmonella organisms; prevalence within infected herds ranged from < 1 to 97%. Herd size, use of free stalls for lactating and nonlactating cows, and use of straw bedding in nonlactating cows were significantly associated with fecal shedding of Salmonella spp, as determined by use of univariate analysis. By use of multivariate analysis, large herds were more likely to be infected than smaller herds; however, no other factors were associated with Salmonella infection after adjustment for herd size. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical shedding of Salmonella spp is common in Ohio dairy herds, although we could not identify specific interventions that may influence the prevalence of Salmonella spp on dairy farms. It appears that large herd size and intensive management may provide an environment conducive to Salmonella shedding and chronic dairy herd infection.     

不同锰元素含量日粮对犊牛生长性能和粪尿排泄指标的影响研究

日粮1%预混料减少120mg/kg锰元素时,30天犊牛累积生长显著高于对照组（P < 0.05）,说明锰元素与犊牛的生长性能确有明显影响;但是日粮中不同的锰元素对于犊牛体尺指标均没有显著影响（P > 0.05）,说明微量元素锰对于犊牛体尺性能影响不大。而且,研究发现日粮1%预混料减少60mg/kg、120mg/kg和240mg/kg锰元素均可以适当提高犊牛粪便氮磷的表观消化率,降低犊牛多种元素的排放,其中日粮1%预混料减少240mg/kg锰元素时的氮磷消化率最高,而且可以有效降低犊牛粪氮、粪铜和粪锌的排放量、30天的尿氮排放量,效果最好。     

Effects of preconditioning on pre- and post-shipment performance of feeder calves

A preconditioning (PC) program that involved preweaning vaccination and preshipment weaning was evaluated utilizing 600 calves produced on four South Dakota ranches. Nonpreconditioned (NPC) controls were herd mates that were maintained with their dams during the preconditioning process. All calves were shipped from the ranch to the feedlot on the same date. In Exp. I, PC caused lower (P less than .001) preshipment gains. However, management x ranch and management x year effects indicated that response to PC was variable. Preconditioning reduced (P less than .001) transit shrink in Exp. I but caused greater (P less than .05) shrink in Exp. II. Ranch and management x ranch effects accounted for more of the variation in shrink than PC did. In the feedlot, PC calves consumed more feed initially (d 1 to 28; P less than .001) and during the entire (P less than .10) feeding period when fed to slaughter condition. During the 28-d postshipment period, calves fed higher-grain diets consumed more feed (P less than .001) and were less efficient (P less than .001) than calves fed corn silage. When fed for longer periods (greater than 28 d), higher-energy diets improved feedlot gains and feed efficiency independent of preconditioning. Health and performance responses to this preconditioning procedure were variable. Our preconditioning procedure did not improve beef production efficiency.     

Effect of transport on feeder calves

One hundred fifty feeder steers (mean body weight, 195 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 transport groups and were deprived of feed and water (fasted) for 24 hours. Additionally, calves were transported on a commercial livestock trailer for 0 (control-fasted only), 12 (short haul), or 24 (long haul) hours. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein before calves were loaded on the transport vehicle and immediately after calves of the long-haul group returned to the research feedlot. Complete blood counts were performed and 32 mineral, enzyme, and biochemical constituents were measured. Calf morbidity, mortality, and average daily weight gain were evaluated during the next 56 days. Duration of transport did not affect average daily gain; however, calves of the short-haul group had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher morbidity and mortality than did those of the control and long-haul groups. In all groups, results of differential leukocyte counts were indicative of stress response. Significant (P less than 0.05) linear contrasts were observed between duration of transport and erythrocyte, leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts and results of serum enzyme (alanine transaminase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, total lactate dehydrogenase [LD], and LD-1, LD-3, and LD-4 isoenzymes), iron, urea nitrogen, beta-globulin, glucose, and urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio determinations. Significant (P less than 0.05) quadratic contrasts were observed between duration of transport and serum unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity, and LD-5 percentage. Calf source had a significant (P less than 0.05) effect on almost all variables tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lead poisoning in feeder calves

A group of 90 feeder calves was accidentally exposed to lead for approximately 30 days. The source of the intoxication was determined to be contamination of feed ingredients from a railroad car. Fourteen calves died and 8 more were clinically affected. Blood samples were obtained from 24 exposed calves (16 clinically normal and 8 intoxicated), and the samples were analyzed for lead, delta-amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity, and free erythrocyte porphyrin. Blood lead values ranged from 0.44 to 1.16 parts per million. Amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity was not affected enough to be of diagnostic value, whereas free erythrocyte porphyrin was increased dramatically and consistently in lead-exposed cattle.     

Effects of feed withdrawal on the weight, fecal excretion and Salmonella status of market age broiler chickens.

The withdrawal of feed from the pens of broiler chickens for several hours before they are shipped for slaughter is an increasingly common practice, whose objective is to decrease fecal contamination of birds during processing. In this study, Salmonella typhimurium-infected market age broiler chickens were subjected to feed withdrawal for eight hours, then placed in crates for 18 hours before they were killed and weighed. The intestines, ceca, and cloacal feces were weighed and cultured for salmonellae. The feces deposited in the crates were also weighed and cultured. The results were compared with those of control birds whose feed was not withdrawn before they were placed in crates. The withdrawal of feed did not significantly affect the total liver weights of the birds, but reduced the weights of the intestines in 7/10 groups, and of the ceca in 5/11 groups, and dramatically reduced the amount of feces deposited in the crates. There was no consistent effect on excretion of salmonellae. These results indicated that feed withdrawal for eight hours before broilers are shipped for slaughter should be effective in reducing the spread of fecal contamination and of salmonellae during transport and processing, and in improving the effectiveness of crate washing procedures.     

Polymerase chain reaction detection of Salmonella spp. in fecal samples of pet birds

The aims of this study were 1) to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in clinically ill birds in aviaries in Ankara, Turkey, and 2) to compare conventional culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Salmonella in feces from clinically ill pet birds. In the study, 185 fecal samples (feces and/or swabs) collected from the pet birds kept in the seven different aviaries in the city of Ankara were investigated for the existence of Salmonella spp. by bacterial isolation and PCR. The conventional isolation and identification methods were performed for Salmonella isolation from fecal cultures. Suspected colonies were confirmed with the Salmonella polyvalent O antiserum and serogrouped with Salmonella group-specific antiserum. PCR was performed after the fecal swabs were incubated for 18 hr in 10 ml of tetrathionate broth. Three (1.63%) out of 185 fecal samples were found to harbor Salmonella spp. by conventional identification tests and were found to belong to serogroup B. Five (2.7%) swab samples were found to harbor Salmonella DNA by PCR tests. As a conclusion, PCR following incubation of clinical samples in pre-enrichment broth seemed to be a fast and practicable method for Salmonella spp. diagnosis when compared to protracted labor-intensive conventional culture techniques.     

Epidemiology of Salmonella typhimurium infection in calves: excretion of S typhimurium in the faeces of calves in different management systems

Twenty-five batches of market-purchased calves, comprising 589 animals on 11 farms, were examined for the excretion of salmonellas for at least 28 days after their arrival. Salmonellas were found in 217 (51 per cent) of 423 calves from 18 of 21 batches on nine farms. The calves were housed in single pens on eight farms and in groups on the others. The trends in new excreters and the proportion of Salmonella typhimurium excreters were similar in both types of housing, a peak of excretion which was slightly higher in single penned calves, being reached 18 to 19 days after arrival. New excreters were found at most samplings in both types of housing, but the peak of new excreters appeared earlier and declined sooner in single penned calves. On average, single penned animals excreted salmonellas longer. Salmonella dublin was found only in single-penned calves, and the trend in excretion was similar to that for S typhimurium in single-penned calves except that the peak was at about 28 days. Prophylactic feeding of antibiotics was practised on nine farms, but appeared to have no influence on the excretion of salmonellas. Salmonellas were isolated from the environment in six of nine farms studied, even after cleaning and disinfection. It is suggested that the persistence of salmonellas in the environment deserves more attention in the formulation of control programmes.     

Detection of Salmonella spp in fecal specimens by use of real-time polymerase chain reaction assay

OBJECTIVE: To use real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to develop a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assay for the detection of Salmonella spp in fecal specimens. SAMPLE POPULATION: 299 fecal specimens from cattle, horses, and dogs. PROCEDURE: Enrichment of fecal specimens was followed by genomic DNA extraction by use of commercially available isolation kits. Real-time PCR assay was performed to target a Salmonella spp-specific DNA segment. Results of real-time PCR assay were compared with bacterial culture results to determine relative sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Use of the spaQ primer-probe set resulted in a relative sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98.2%, compared with bacterial culture results when tested on 299 clinical fecal specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A rapid, sensitive, and specific assay for the detection of Salmonella spp from enriched clinical fecal specimens was developed. This technique would be highly valuable in clinical settings to help avoid or mitigate the complications arising from an outbreak of salmonellosis in a herd or among patients of a veterinary hospital.     

Effect of marketing treatments and transportation on feeder pig performance

During four 6-wk trials, 376 university-raised, crossbred feeder pigs were used to determine the effects of fasting (no feed or water) vs providing feed plus water or water alone at the simulated market and a 563-km transport on shrinkage and subsequent health and performance. Providing feed and water or water alone during a 12-h market simulation for Trials 1, 2 and 4 or a 24-h period for Trial 3 did not affect subsequent rate of gain (ADG) or feed efficiency (F/G) compared with pigs fasted during the market stay. However, overall shrinkage (market phase plus transportation) of pigs provided feed and water at the market was less (P less than .05) than for fasted pigs (4.0 vs 8.4% for Trials 1, 2 and 4; 4.5 vs 11.8% for Trial 3). Transporting the fasted or nonfasted feeder pig 563 k did not affect subsequent health or performance. Overall shrinkage of the fasted pigs that were transported 563 km vs those that were not transported during Trial 4 was not different (8.8 vs 9.1%; P greater than .05). In conclusion, one-owner feeder pigs can cope with the stress of fasting and transporting long distances without any extended detrimental effects on subsequent health and performance.     

Influence of yeast culture on feeder calves and lambs.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the influence of yeast culture on 1) the health and performance of feeder calves, 2) the response of calves to an infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) infection, and 3) nutrient utilization in lambs fasted for 3 d. In Exp. 1, 108 feeder calves were transported from Tennessee to Texas (1,600 km) and fed receiving diets containing 0 or .75% yeast culture and .35 or .69% P in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. In Exp. 2, 101 calves were transported 950 kg from Austin, TX to Bushland, TX and fed receiving diets containing 0, .75, 1.125, or 1.5% yeast culture. Yeast culture did not significantly affect the health or performance of calves in either experiment, although morbid calves fed yeast culture required fewer (P less than .05) days of antibiotic therapy in Exp. 2. In Exp. 3, feeder steers were fed diets containing 0 or .75% yeast culture and challenged intranasally with IBRV. Calves fed yeast culture tended to maintain heavier weights and higher DMI during IBRV infection than did steers fed the control diet. In Exp. 4, feeder lambs were fasted for 3 d and refed diets containing 0, .75, 1.125, or 1.5% yeast culture during a N and mineral balance trial. Lambs fed yeast culture had greater (P less than .08) N balance and tended to have greater Zn and Fe balance than control lambs. Results of these studies are interpreted to suggest that supplementation of morbid calves with yeast culture can have beneficial effects (fewer sick days, higher feed intakes) and that these effects may be mediated by improved N, Zn, and Fe metabolism.     

Faecal excretion of Salmonella hadar from calves grazed on pastures fertilised with S. hadar-contaminated broiler litter

The risk of Salmonella hadar infection in weaned calves grazed on pasture artificially contaminated with the organism via broiler litter applied at commercial dressing rates was assessed. A group of four calves was grazed on artificially contaminated pasture and a control group was grazed on an adjacent identical paddock. A ninth calf was given S. hadar together with an anthelmintic drench, and a tenth was fed on a mixture of contaminated broiler litter and hay for 36 hours. Rectal swabs were collected from the calves at weekly intervals and examined for the presence of salmonellae. Two of the calves in the group on contaminated pasture and both the control positive calves shed S. hadar in their faeces on at least one occasion. The S. hadar contamination was detectable on the pasture for at least 42 days after application of the contaminated litter.     

Prevalence of Salmonella spp in cloacal, fecal, and gastrointestinal mucosal samples from wild North American turtles

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of Salmonella spp in samples collected from wild North American turtles. ANIMALS: 94 wild North American turtles of 6 species in 2 genera. DESIGN: Prospective microbiologic study. PROCEDURES: A convenience sample of wild North Carolina turtles admitted to a veterinary college was evaluated for Salmonella spp by use of standard techniques via microbiologic culture of cloacal swab and fecal samples. Gastrointestinal mucosa samples were also collected at necropsy from turtles that died or were euthanized. Cloacal swab samples were also collected from wild pond turtles for bacteriologic culture. Controls were established by use of wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium LT2. RESULTS: 94 turtles were tested for Salmonella spp; Salmonella spp were not detected in any sample. By use of a pathogen-prevalence and sample-size table, the true prevalence of Salmonella spp was estimated as < 5%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that wild turtles in central North Carolina may not be active shedders or carriers of Salmonella spp. Despite this 0% prevalence of infection, proper hygiene practices should be followed when handling wild turtles.