Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria and associated human morbidity and mortality is increasing. The use of antimicrobials in livestock selects for AMR that can subsequently be transferred to humans. This flow of AMR between reservoirs demands surveillance in livestock and in humans. We quantified and characterized the acquired resistance gene pools (resistomes) of 181 pig and 178 poultry farms from nine European countries, sequencing more than 5,000 Gb of DNA using shotgun metagenomics. We quantified acquired AMR using the ResFinder database and a second database constructed for this study, consisting of AMR genes identified through screening environmental DNA. The pig and poultry resistomes were very different in abundance and composition. There was a significant country effect on the resistomes, more so in pigs than in poultry. We found higher AMR loads in pigs, whereas poultry resistomes were more diverse. We detected several recently described, critical AMR genes, including mcr-1 and optrA, the abundance of which differed both between host species and between countries. We found that the total acquired AMR level was associated with the overall country-specific antimicrobial usage in livestock and that countries with comparable usage patterns had similar resistomes. However, functionally determined AMR genes were not associated with total drug use.
Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.
The application of the BioCheck.UGent scoring system to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection in animal production systems is described.
The book Biosecurity in Animal Production and Veterinary Medicine is the first compilation of both fundamental aspects of biosecurity practices, and specific and practical information on the application of the biosecurity measures in different animal production and animal housing settings. This book has 19 chapters, starting with a general introductory chapter on the epidemiology of infectious diseases (chapter 1), followed by a chapter explaining the general principles of biosecurity (chapter 2). Explanations on the relevance of the implementation of biosecurity plans in order to improve animal health and performance and reduce antimicrobial usage are described (chapter 3). Ways to motivate farmers to implement a biosecurity plan and how to measure biosecurity and hygiene status of farms has been included (chapters 4 and 5). Specific topics of biosecurity, such as cleaning and disinfection (chapter 6), hygiene and decontamination of air (chapter 7), feed (chapter 8), and drinking water (chapter 9) were included, other chapters focused on rodent and insect control (chapters 10 and 11). Practical chapters deal with biosecurity in the pig, (chapter 12), poultry (chapter 13), and cattle (chapter 14) industry, horse facilities (chapter 15), dog kennels (chapter 16), veterinary practices and clinics (chapter 17) and laboratory animal facilities (chapter 18). The concluding chapter (chapter 19) discussed the topic on biosecurity in aquaculture highlighting practical veterinary approaches for aquatic animal disease prevention, control, and potential eradication.
A review on the management aspects of poultry production with special focus on the spread of disease caused by horizontal and vertical transmission was discussed. This chapter also includes topics on: general biosecurity principles which includes geographical location of the poultry farm, structural layout of the poultry farm and buildings, potential sources of infection and operational flow on the farm, cleaning and disinfection protocols for poultry, and water quality in poultry houses; biosecurity aspects that are specific to the different production systems (broiler and layers); and biosecurity in hatcheries with focus on hatchery management from egg to chick, disease transmission in hatcheries, and hygiene and biosecurity in hatcheries.
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