The occurrence of Salmonella,extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistant non‐fermenting Gram‐negative bacteria in a backyard poultry flock environment

Increase in the number of small‐scale backyard poultry flocks in the USA has substantially increased human‐to‐live poultry contact, leading to increased public health risks of the transmission of multi‐drug resistant (MDR) zoonotic and food‐borne bacteria. The objective of this study was to detect the occurrence of Salmonella and MDR Gram‐negative bacteria (GNB) in the backyard poultry flock environment. A total of 34 backyard poultry flocks in Washington State (WA) were sampled. From each flock, one composite coop sample and three drag swabs from nest floor, waterer‐feeder, and a random site with visible faecal smearing, respectively, were collected. The samples were processed for isolation of Salmonella and other fermenting and non‐fermenting GNB under ceftiofur selection. Each isolate was identified to species level using MALDI‐TOFF and tested for resistance against 16 antibiotics belonging to eight antibiotic classes. Salmonella serovar 1,4,[5],12:i:‐ was isolated from one (3%) out of 34 flocks. Additionally, a total of 133 ceftiofur resistant (Cef^R) GNB including Escherichia coli (53), Acinetobacter spp. (45), Pseudomonas spp. (22), Achromobacter spp. (8), Bordetella trematum (1), Hafnia alvei (1), Ochrobactrum intermedium (1), Raoultella ornithinolytica (1), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (1) were isolated. Of these, 110 (82%) isolates displayed MDR. Each flock was found positive for the presence of one or more Cef^R GNB. Several MDR E. coli (n = 15) were identified as extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) positive. Carbapenem resistance was detected in non‐fermenting GNB including Acinetobacter spp. (n = 20), Pseudomonas spp. (n = 11) and Stenotrophomonas maltophila (n = 1). ESBL positive E. coli and carbapenem resistant non‐fermenting GNB are widespread in the backyard poultry flock environment in WA State. These GNB are known to cause opportunistic infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these GNB in the backyard poultry flock settings is needed to identify potential risks of transmission to people in proximity.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on growth performance,plasma metabolites and hormones,and rumen fermentation in Holstein calves during pre‐ and post‐weaning periods

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) during the pre‐ and post‐weaning periods on growth, metabolic and hormonal responses, and rumen fermentation in calves. Three‐week‐old Holstein calves were assigned to either control (n = 12) or SC group (n = 12), the latter of which received 2 × 10⁹ cfu/day of SC. The experiment was conducted over a period of 7 weeks around weaning. Daily gain (DG) in the SC group was higher (p < .05) than that in the control group. In the SC group, plasma glucose, insulin, and growth hormone (GH) concentrations were higher (p < .05) and concentrations of glucagon and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) tended to be higher (p < .1) than in the control group. Proportion of rumen propionate and concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen at 10 weeks of age were greater (p < .05) in the SC group than that in the control group. Supplementation of SC around weaning may improve dietary nutrient and energy availability and increase plasma GH and IGF‐1 concentrations. These changes observed in SC‐supplemented calves could be closely related to the improvement of DG.     

Capsosiphon fulvescens extracts improve obesity‐associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice

Herbal dietary supplements have attracted more and more attention owing to their relative effectiveness in obesity ‐related metabolic disorders and diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) extracts on obesity, their associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal, HFD/Vehicle and HFD/CF (orally 300 mg/kg/day for CF). After 12 weeks, CF blocked HFD‐induced body weight, food intake, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride (TG), fat mass (weight of abdominal subcutaneous fat and epididymal adipose tissue) and biochemical parameters (total cohlesterol, glucose, TG, creatinine, high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) of serum. CF also had improved serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in HFD/CF mice. Moreover, CF ameliorated the hepatic steatosis‐reducing size of white adipose tissue. These results indicate that CF have anti‐obesity effects and are effective for reducing metabolic risk and hepatic steatosis.     

Bacillus subtilis B21 and Bacillus licheniformis B26 improve intestinal health and performance of broiler chickens with Clostridium perfringens‐induced necrotic enteritis

This study investigated the influence of Bacillus‐based probiotics on performance and intestinal health in broiler challenged with Clostridium perfringens‐induced necrotic enteritis. One‐day‐old Arbor Acre (n = 480) were randomly assigned to four treatments with 10 cages of 12 birds: (a) basal diet negative control (NC), with no probiotics nor antibiotics formulated to contain 2,930 and 3,060 kcal/kg with 24.07 and 15.98% CP, for starter and finisher diet, respectively, (b) basal diet + enramycin (5 mg/kg), an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); (c) basal diet + Bacillus subtilis B21 at 2 × 10⁹ CFU per g (BS); (d) basal diet + Bacillus licheniformis B26 at 2 × 10⁹ CFU per g (BL); growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal lesion scores, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and mucosal barrier tight junction's (TJ) mRNA expression were assessed. NC‐ and BL‐fed groups showed higher (p = 0.005) average daily feed intake from d1 to d21 than AGP and BS, whereas BS‐ and AGP‐fed groups showed higher average daily weight gain from d22 to d42 and d1 to d42 of age. Higher mortality rate of (12.5%) and lower of (5.5%) were recorded in AGP and NC fed‐groups respectively, lesion score was higher in BS and BL than in AGP, while no lesion was observed in NC group, results revealed higher duodenum and jejunum villus height to crypt depth (VH:CD) compared with NC and BS. Probiotics‐fed groups showed higher total (SCFAs), acetic and butyric acid concentrations at d21 post‐challenge (PC) than other groups. The expression of claudin‐1 was upregulated in duodenum (d7) PC and in jejunum (d7) and (d21) PC in BL group, while at d21 PC, the expression of occludens was higher in jejunum and ileum by AGP and BL. The present study indicated both BS and BL have some similarity with AGP in preventing or partially preventing NE effect in broilers.     

Supplementation of distiller's grains during late gestation in beef cows consuming low‐quality forage decreases uterine,but not mammary,blood flow

Positive effects have been observed in offspring from beef cows supplemented with corn dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) during late gestation. The hypothesis of this study was that late gestational DDGS supplementation to beef cows would increase blood flow (BF) to the gravid uterus and mammary gland thus impacting birthweight and post‐natal growth of the offspring. Experiment 1 investigated mammary gland BF in multiparous cows during late pregnancy. Beef cows were fed a control (CON1) diet of low‐quality hay (n = 5) or a supplement diet (SUP1) of low‐quality hay with DDGS [1.7 g/kg of body weight (BW); n = 6]. In Experiment 2, multiparous late pregnant beef cows were fed either a control (CON2) diet of a low‐quality hay (n = 4) or a supplement diet (SUP2) of low‐quality hay with DDGS (1.7 g/kg of BW; n = 5). Uterine and mammary gland BF were recorded every 21 days during late gestation. In Experiment 1, there were no effects of diet or day on mammary gland hemodynamics. In Experiment 2, total and ipsilateral uterine BF was less (p ≤ 0.04) in SUP2 vs. CON2 cows and similar BF to contralateral horns. Mammary gland BF was unaltered by maternal supplementation. Even when measured in two different years in two different environments, mammary gland BF remained unaltered to DDGS supplementation. Investigations on the mechanism that may impact uterine BF during late gestation remain to be known.     

Zinc Oxide Therapy Increases Prevalence and Persistence of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Pigs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

There is concern that therapeutic use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in swine production may select for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to co‐location of the zinc resistance gene (czrC) and methicillin resistance gene (mecA) within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). The objective of this investigation was to determine whether MRSA carriage in pigs is influenced by exposure to therapeutic doses of in‐feed ZnO (3000 mg/kg) when compared to the recommended dietary levels (100 mg/kg). A randomized controlled trial was completed using 110 pigs that were naturally colonized with czrC‐positive MRSA. The pigs were followed from birth to weaning (21 d), at which point they were randomized into 8 pens and exposed to either a control feed (100 mg ZnO/kg feed; n = 49 pigs) or a treatment feed (3000 mg ZnO/kg feed; n = 50 pigs); neither feed contained additional antimicrobials. MRSA carriage was monitored weekly in each group for 4 weeks post‐weaning. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher in the treatment group at 1‐week (OR = 18.1; P < 0.01) and 2 weeks (OR = 3.01; P = 0.01) post‐weaning when compared to the control group, but there was no difference later in the nursery phase. Persistent MRSA carriage (testing positive ≥2 times post‐weaning) was observed in 2% (1/49) of control pigs and 22% (11/50) of treated pigs (P < 0.01). All MRSA isolates (spa types t034 and t3075) carried czrC and showed uniform resistance to zinc. These findings demonstrate that the prevalence and persistence of MRSA in nursery pigs can be affected by high levels of in‐feed ZnO in the absence of antibiotics.     

Assessment of Risk Factors in Milk Contamination with Staphylococcus aureus in Urban and Peri‐Urban Small‐Holder Dairy Farming in Central Ethiopia

Assessment of risk factors associated with milk production systems is central to ensuring quality and safety of milk and milk products. This study was aimed at identifying possible risk factors in milk contamination in urban and peri‐urban areas of the central high lands of Ethiopia. A total of 477 on‐farm pooled milk (n = 433) and combined bulk milk samples (n = 44) were collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques to isolate and characterize Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, 433 individual farm owners and 22 collection centre owners were interviewed using a structured and pre‐tested questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors. Of the total individual on‐farm pooled milk samples analysed (n = 433), it was found that 103 of the individual milk samples (24%) and 17 of the combined bulk milk (39%) were positive for S. aureus. This difference in prevalence was statistically significant. Even though there were a number of potential variables associated with the recovery of S. aureus in bovine milk, four variables including cleaning milk container with hot water and detergent [Adjusted OR: 0.342, 95% CI, (0.166, 0.701)], mastitis check [Adjusted OR: 3.019, 95% CI (1.542, 5.913)], travel time to collection centres [Adjusted OR: 4.932, 95% CI, (2.265, 10.739)] and amount of milk delivered by farmers to collection centres per day [Adjusted OR: 1.059 (1.032, 1.087 β = 0.057)] were found to be statistically significantly associated with isolation of S. aureus. We recommend a targeted educational intervention on defined risk factors to reduce the post‐harvest S. aureus contamination of raw milk in urban and peri‐urban milk shed areas of central Ethiopia.     

Effects of a short‐term supranutritional selenium supplementation on redox balance,physiology and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs

Heat stress (HS) disrupts redox balance and insulin‐related metabolism. Supplementation with supranutritional amounts of selenium (Se) may enhance glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduce oxidative stress, but may trigger insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of a short‐term high Se supplementation on physiology, oxidative stress and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs. Twenty‐four gilts were fed either a control (0.20 ppm Se) or a high Se (1.0 ppm Se yeast, HiSe) diet for 2 weeks. Pigs were then housed in thermoneutral (20°C) or HS (35°C) conditions for 8 days. Blood samples were collected to study blood Se and oxidative stress markers. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted on day 8 of thermal exposure. The HS conditions increased rectal temperature and respiration rate (both p < .001). The HiSe diet increased blood Se by 12% (p < .05) and ameliorated the increase in rectal temperature (p < .05). Heat stress increased oxidative stress as evidenced by a 48% increase in plasma advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs; p < .05), which may be associated with the reductions in plasma biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and erythrocyte GPX activity (both p < .05). The HiSe diet did not alleviate the reduction in plasma BAP or increase in AOPPs observed during HS, although it tended to increase erythrocyte GPX activity by 13% (p = .068). Without affecting insulin, HS attenuated lipid mobilization, as evidenced by a lower fasting NEFA concentration (p < .05), which was not mitigated by the HiSe diet. The HiSe diet increased insulin AUC, suggesting it potentiated insulin resistance, although this only occurred under TN conditions (p = .066). In summary, HS induced oxidative stress and attenuated lipid mobilization in pigs. The short‐term supranutritional Se supplementation alleviated hyperthermia, but did not protect against oxidative stress in heat‐stressed pigs.     

Short‐term methionine supplementation during the early post‐partum period in primiparous rabbits improves prolificacy associated with an increase in serum concentrations of IGF‐I

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation on energy metabolism and reproductive performance during the early post‐partum period in primiparous does. Forty nulliparous New Zealand White does were used. Females were randomized in two groups at calving: the control group (n = 20) was fed with the basal diet, and the methionine group (n = 20) was fed the basal diet plus 1 g/animal/day of methionine from the day of calving to 4 days post‐partum. Results showed that methionine supplementation increased (p = 0.032) the concentration of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 with respect to control group 4 days post‐partum. It similarly increased the prolificacy (p = 0.03), the number of kits born alive per litter (p = 0.06) and the body gain weight of the litter during supplementation (p = 0.035). These results were observed despite the does in the methionine group having a deeper negative energy balance than the does in the control group. Finally, methionine supplementation did not affect receptivity (p = 0.23), fertility (p = 0.49), the number of kits born dead per litter (p = 0.86) insulin and metabolites as glucose, non‐esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. In conclusion, our results show that methionine supplementation during the first 4 days of the post‐partum period in rabbits increases total litter size and the corporal weight of kits and is associated with an increase in blood concentration of IGF‐1.     

ACE inhibition in goats under fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol increases the pregnancy rate and twin births

To assess the effect of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on the efficiency of the fixed‐time artificial insemination (TAI), 69 goats were divided randomly into two groups: enalapril (n = 35) and control (n = 34). In the experiment, all animals underwent the protocol of fixed‐time artificial insemination for 12 days. Enalapril group received enalapril maleate dissolved in saline (Enalapril, Lab Teuto Ltda) subcutaneously at the following doses: 0.2 mg/kg/day in D0‐D2; 0.3 mg/kg/day in D3‐D6 and 0.4 mg/kg/day in D7‐D11. The control group received the corresponding volume of 0.9% saline solution. We performed a single insemination 36 hr after sponge removal using frozen semen from two adult male goats with recognized fertility. The ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was 30 days after the artificial insemination (AI). There was significant increase in pregnancy rates and twinning as well as a decrease in foetal loss in animals receiving enalapril (p < .01). The use of ACE inhibitors during the TAI protocol was shown to be a promising alternative to increase the efficiency of such reproductive biotechnology.     

Resynchronization of ovulation with new and reused intravaginal progesterone‐releasing devices without previous pregnancy diagnosis in Bos taurus indicus cows subjected to timed‐artificial insemination

The study aimed to evaluate pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) of cows subjected to synchronization and resynchronization in ovulation protocols using intravaginal progesterone‐releasing insert (P4) before pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and the relationship of PR with the diameter of preovulatory follicles (ØPOF) before TAI. Cows (n = 378) were distributed into two groups: a resynchronization group with new devices (GRN; n = 185) and resynchronization group with used devices (GRU; n = 193). On Day 0, both groups received a new P4 and estradiol benzoate (EB). On D8, P4 removal + D‐cloprostenol + eCG + estradiol cypionate (EC) was done. On d10, TAI was conducted. On d32, cows were resynchronized and divided into two groups, GRN (n = 185) and GRU (n = 193). The GRN group received a new P4 + EB, and the GRU group received a used P4 + EB. On d40, the P4 was removed + PD. The non‐pregnant cows received D‐cloprostenol + eCG + EC. US was done again on d42 to determine ØPOF before the second TAI. The P/AI of the GRN and GRU groups after synchronization were 56.2% and 57.0% (p = 0.87), respectively, and those after resynchronization were 58.0% and 37.3% (p < 0.008), respectively. The P/AI of the GRN and GRU groups observed after TAI (synchronization + resynchronization) were 81.6% and 73.1%, respectively (p = 0.047). No difference (p = 0.067) in ØPOF between the pregnant and non‐pregnant cows in the GRN was found, whereas the GRU group showed a significant difference (p = 0.003). Resynchronization protocols optimized the P/AI in both groups. New intravaginal devices resulted in greater P/AI and P/AI accumulation in resynchronization as compared with the GRU; the ØPOF was related with P/AI.     

Zinc methionine and laminarin have growth‐enhancing properties in newly weaned pigs influencing both intestinal health and diarrhoea occurrence

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction between zinc methionine (ZnM) and laminarin (LAM) on piglet growth performance and intestinal health post‐weaning. Experiment 1 was designed as 2 × 2 factorial with four treatments [n = 8, weaning age (WA) 24 days, live weight (LW) 7.15 kg]: (i) basal diet (BD); (ii) BD + 500 mg/kg ZnM; (iii) BD + 300 mg/kg LAM; and (iv) BD + 500 mg/kg ZnM + 300 mg/kg LAM. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between LAM and ZnM. Pigs that were offered the LAM diet had a similar performance to the BD. However, when combining LAM with ZnM, pigs had reduced average daily gain (ADG), gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F) and LW at slaughter at day 8 post‐weaning compared to the ZnM. Both LAM and ZnM improved the small intestinal morphology of the pigs at day 8 post‐weaning. Experiment 2 was designed as 2 × 2 factorial with four dietary treatments (n = 9, WA 24 days, LW 7.32 kg): (i) BD; (ii) BD + 500 mg/kg ZnM; (iii) BD + 175 mg/kg LAM; and (iv) BD + 500 mg/kg ZnM + 175 mg/kg LAM. The ADG and average daily feed intake were improved between day 0 and 31 PW when pigs were offered a LAM diet (p < 0.01). Faecal scores were reduced between day 0 and day 31 post‐weaning with ZnM (p < 0.001). Experiment 3 consisted of four dietary treatments (n = 10, WA 24 days, LW 7.32 kg): (i) BD; (ii) BD + 3300 mg/kg zinc oxide (ZnO); (iii) BD + 500 mg/kg ZnM; and (iv) BD + 175 mg/kg LAM. Pigs that were offered the ZnO diet had an increased ADG compared to the BD or ZnM diets (p < 0.01). Pigs that were offered the LAM diet had increased ADG compared to the ZnM diet (p < 0.05). Faecal scores were reduced between day 0 and day 31 PW with ZnM or ZnO supplementation (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the inclusion of 175 mg/kg LAM and ZnO improved ADG while both ZnO and ZnM reduced the faecal scores post‐weaning.     

Dominant follicles development and estradiol‐17β concentrations in non‐ovulating and ovulating post‐partum Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes

This study was designed to evaluate the dominant follicles development and the estradiol‐17β concentrations in non‐ovulating and ovulating post‐partum buffaloes. Sixteen Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes were submitted to transrectal ultrasonographic examination from the 1st post‐partum day until day 50, 3 days apart. The follicular diameter of the different categories of follicles and the ovulations was recorded. The animals were allocated into two groups: I (n = 6) non‐ovulating and II (n = 10) ovulating buffaloes. Serum estradiol‐17β concentrations on the days for dominant follicle registration were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results were statistically processed by analysis of variance, non‐parametric and correlation analysis. The mean intervals between calving and first dominant follicle detection differed significantly (p < .05) among the groups (19.5 ± 6.2 vs. 13.8 ± 5.1 days), while the mean intervals between registered dominant follicles from two successive waves were comparable. The mean follicular diameters for the same category follicles in both groups were similar. Different estradiol‐17β concentrations (p < .05) for the first dominant follicle between non‐ovulating (23.5 ± 7.0 pg/ml) and ovulating (33.3 ± 8.4 pg/ml) buffaloes were determined. The cumulative percentages of buffaloes with firstly detected dominant follicle and ovulating animals correlated positively (r ≥ .84; p < .05) to post‐partum days. In conclusion, non‐ovulating and ovulating post‐partum Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes showed differences in the development of the first dominant follicle and estradiol‐17β concentrations during the time of dominant follicles detection.     

The effect of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate on small intestinal morphology,antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory effect in heat‐stressed broilers

This study was to investigate the effects of Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory response in heat‐stressed broiler. A total of 192 2‐week‐old Arbour Acres broilers chickens were divided into four groups with six replicates per group and eight chickens per replicate: one thermoneutral control group (28°C, group TN), which was fed the basal diet; and three cyclic high‐temperature groups (35°C from 7:00 to 19:00 hr; 28°C from 19:00 hr to 7:00 hr, heat stress group), which were fed the basal diet supplementation with EGCG 0 mg/kg (group HS0), 300 mg/kg (group HS300) and 600 mg/kg (group HS600). The gut morphology and intestinal mucosal oxidative stress indicators, as well as intestinal barrier‐related gene expression, were analysed. The results showed that compared with group TN, heat stress reduced the villus height (VH), activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD)and catalase (CAT), increased the crypt depth (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)content at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). After the heat‐stressed broilers were supplemented with EGCG, VH, VH/CD (V/C), and the activities of GSH‐Px, SOD and CAT were increased, and CD and MDA content were reduced compared with those in group HS0 without EGCG supplementation at 21, 28 and 35 days (p < 0.05). The EGCG supplementation promoted the gene expression of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), Claudin‐1, Mucin 2 (Muc2) and alleviated the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) and lipopolysaccharide‐induced tumour necrosis factor (LITAF) gene expression compared with group HS0 (p < 0.05). Moreover, intestinal morphology was strongly correlated with antioxidant ability and inflammatory response. In conclusion, EGCG alleviated the gut oxidative injury of heat‐stressed broilers by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting inflammatory response.     

Trends in clinical diagnoses of typhus group rickettsioses among a large U.S. insurance claims database

Typhus group rickettsioses (TGRs) are vector‐borne diseases that include murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) and epidemic typhus (R. prowazekii). Twentieth‐century public health interventions led to dramatic decreases in incidence; little is known about the contemporary TGR prevalence because neither disease is nationally notifiable. We summarized administrative claims data in a commercially insured population to examine trends in TGR medical encounters. We analysed data from 2003 to 2016 IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Databases to identify persons with inpatient or outpatient visits with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification TGR‐specific code. We summarized epidemiologic characteristics associated with incident diagnosis. We identified 1,799 patients diagnosed with a TGR. Patients resided in 46 states, and most were female (n = 1,019/1,799; 56.6%); the median age was 42 years (range: 0–64 years). Epidemic typhus (n = 931/1,799; 51.8%) was the most common TGRs, followed by murine typhus (n = 722/1,799; 40.1%). The majority of TGR patients were diagnosed in an outpatient setting (n = 1,725/1,799; 95.9%); among hospitalized patients, the majority received a murine typhus diagnosis (n = 67/74; 90.5%). TGRs are rarely diagnosed diseases. More patients were diagnosed with epidemic than murine typhus, even though R. prowazekii transmission requires body louse or flying squirrel exposure. Patients from all geographic regions were diagnosed with murine and epidemic typhus, despite historically recognized ranges for these diseases. The epidemiologic misalignment of insurance claims data versus historic TGRs data highlights the challenges of finding appropriate alternative data sources to serve as a proxy when national surveillance data do not exist.     

Human tularaemia associated with exposure to domestic dogs—United States, 2006–2016

Dogs have been implicated in the zoonotic transmission of numerous pathogens. Whereas cats are known to transmit Francisella tularensis to humans via bite and other routes, the role of dogs in facilitating infection is much less understood. We reviewed tularaemia case investigation records collected through national surveillance during 2006–2016 to summarize those with dog involvement, characterize the nature of dog‐related exposure and describe associated clinical characteristics. Among 1,814 human tularaemia cases, 735 (41%) supplemental case investigation records were available for review; and of those, 24 (3.3%) were classified as dog‐related. Median age of patients was 51 years (range: 1–82); 54% were female. Two thirds (67%) of cases presented with ulceroglandular/glandular tularaemia; pneumonic (13%) and oropharyngeal (13%) illness occurred less frequently. Dog‐related exposures were classified as follows: direct contact via bite, scratch or face snuggling/licking (n = 12; 50%); direct contact with dead animals retrieved by domestic dogs (n = 8; 33%); and contact with infected ticks acquired from domestic dogs (n = 4; 17%). Prevention of dog‐related tularaemia necessitates enhanced tularaemia awareness and tick avoidance among pet owners, veterinarians, health care providers and the general public.     

Associations between endotoxin‐induced metabolic changes and temperament in Brahman bulls,

The influence of temperament on the alteration of metabolic parameters in response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was investigated. Brahman bulls were selected based on temperament score. Bulls (10 months; 211 ± 5 kg BW; n = 6, 8 and 7 for Calm, Intermediate and Temperamental groups, respectively) were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters to evaluate peripheral blood concentrations of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, epinephrine and cortisol before and after LPS administration (0.5 μg/kg BW LPS). Feed intake was also recorded. Intermediate bulls consumed more feed than the Temperamental bulls during the challenge (p = 0.046). Pre‐LPS glucose (p = 0.401) and BUN (p = 0.222) did not differ among the temperament groups. However, pre‐LPS insulin (p = 0.023) was lower, whereas pre‐LPS NEFA (p < 0.001), cortisol (p < 0.001) and epinephrine (p < 0.001) were greater in Temperamental than in Calm and Intermediate bulls. Post‐LPS glucose was increased in Calm and Intermediate bulls but not in Temperamental bulls (p < 0.001). Insulin concentrations post‐LPS were greater in Calm than in Intermediate and Temperamental bulls (p < 0.001). Concentrations of NEFA post‐LPS were greater in Temperamental than in Calm and Intermediate bulls (p < 0.001). Serum BUN concentration increased post‐LPS, with values being greater in Calm and Intermediate than in Temperamental bulls (p = 0.012). Collectively, these data demonstrate that animal temperament is related to the metabolic responses of Brahman bulls following a provocative endotoxin challenge. Specifically, Temperamental bulls may preferentially utilize an alternate energy source (i.e. NEFA) to a greater degree than do bulls of Calm and Intermediate temperaments. The use of circulating NEFA from lipolysis may reduce the negative metabolic consequences of an immune response by allowing for a prompt answer to increasing energy demands required during immunological challenge, compared with the time required for glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.     

Investigation of carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on growth,serum and tissue metabolic markers in Ossabaw pigs fed a high‐fat diet

Carryover effect of prior fibre consumption on metabolic markers was investigated. Treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial with 2 fibre sources, 4% inulin or cellulose (Solka‐Floc®) and fat levels (5 or 15%) for the low‐fat diet (LFD) and high‐fat diet (HFD) respectively. Pigs were fed the two fibre diets for the first 56d (nursery phase), and thereafter fed either the LFD or HFD containing no added fibre source from d56 to 140 (growing phase). Pigs on the HFD were heavier (p = .05) than those on LF (64.61 vs. 68.38 kg), regardless of prior fibre type consumed. Pigs that were fed cellulose during the nursery and later fed the HFD had the highest ADG (p < .05). Feeding the HFD resulted in higher back fat (BF) (13.41 and 18.18 ± 0.12 mm for LFD and HFD, respectively; p < .01). The HFD resulted in higher (p < .01) insulin (0.014 and 0.016 ± 0.001 mg/L for LF and HF respectively) and glucose (100.89 and 125.03 ± 4.39 mg/dl for LF and HF respectively) concentrations in the serum. Inulin increased (p ≤ .02) jejunal expression of SREBP‐1c and CL‐4, but reduced (p < .05) TNFɑ and IL‐6 expression in the ileum. Alpha‐diversity was significantly different (p < .05) between the inulin and cellulose fed pigs at the end of the nursery and finishing phases. Therefore, inulin feeding before a HFD may lead to reduction in ADG and inflammatory markers in the small intestine of pigs, and thus prevent future metabolic disorders.     

In ovo carbohydrate supplementation modulates growth and immunity‐related genes in broiler chickens

A study was undertaken to investigate the role of in ovo administrated carbohydrates on the expression pattern of growth and immune‐related genes. In ovo injections (n = 400) were carried out on the 14th day of incubation into the yolk sac/amnion of the broiler chicken embryos. Expression of growth‐related genes: chicken growth hormone (cGH), insulin‐like growth factor‐I & II (IGF‐I & II) and mucin were studied in hepatic and jejunum tissues of late‐term embryo and early post‐hatch chicks. Expression of candidate immune genes: Interleukin‐2, 6, 10 and 12 (IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10 and IL‐12), Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and Interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) were studied in peripheral blood monocyte cells of in ovo‐injected and control birds following antigenic stimulation with sheep RBC (SRBC) or mitogen concanavalin A (Con‐A). Glucose injection significantly increased the expression of IGF‐II gene during embryonic period and both cGH and IGF‐II in early post‐hatch period, while ribose‐injected chicks had higher expression of IGF‐II gene during embryonic stage. Enhanced mucin gene expression was also observed in fructose‐injected chicks during embryonic age. Glucose‐injected chicks had higher expression of IL‐6 or IL‐10, while those injected with fructose or ribose had higher expression of IL‐2, IL‐12 and IFN gamma. It is concluded that in ovo supplementation of carbohydrates might help in improving the growth of late‐term embryos and chicks. In ovo glucose could modulate humoral‐related immunity, while fructose or ribose might help in improving the cellular immunity in broiler chickens.     

Leucine‐induced promotion of post‐absorptive EAA utilization and hepatic gluconeogenesis contributes to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves

The high rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves can benefit their first lactation even lifetime milk yield. Since the rate of protein synthesis is relatively low in the post‐absorptive state, the aim of this research was to determine whether leucine supplementation could increase the post‐absorptive essential amino acid (EAA) utilization and protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle. Ten male neonatal dairy calves (38 ± 3 kg) were randomly assigned to either the control (CON, no leucine supplementation, n = 5) or supplementation with 1.435 g leucine/L milk (LEU, n = 5). Results showed that leucine significantly increased the length and protein concentration in longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, whereas it decreased creatinine concentration and glutamic‐oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) activity. Compared to the control group, leucine supplementation also reduced the glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity. Supplementation of leucine improved the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and substrates ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (p70S6K). Supplementation of leucine resulted in increased concentrations of glucose, methionine, threonine, histidine and EAAs and decreased concentration of arginine in serum. Liver glucose concentration was higher and pyranic acid was lower in LEU compared to CON. In conclusion, leucine supplementation can promote post‐absorptive EAA utilization and hepatic gluconeogenesis, which contributes to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of dairy calves.