The prevalence of Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Norwegian dairy cattle farms: A comparison between free stall and tie stall housing systems.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Aims
This study explored how dairy farm operating systems with free-stall or tie-stall housing and cow hygiene score influence the occurrence of zoonotic bacteria in raw milk.Methods and results
Samples from bulk tank milk (BTM), milk filters, faeces, feed, teats and teat milk were collected from 11 farms with loose housing and seven farms with tie-stall housing every second month over a period of 11 months and analysed for the presence of STEC by culturing combined with polymerase chain reaction and for Campylobacter spp. and L. monocytogenes by culturing only. Campylobacter spp., L. monocytogenes and STEC were present in samples from the farm environment and were also detected in 4%, 13% and 7% of the milk filters, respectively, and in 3%, 0% and 1% of BTM samples. Four STEC isolates carried the eae gene, which is linked to the capacity to cause severe human disease. L. monocytogenes were detected more frequently in loose housing herds compared with tie-stalled herds in faeces (p = 0.02) and feed (p = 0.03), and Campylobacter spp. were detected more frequently in loose housing herds in faeces (p < 0.01) and teat swabs (p = 0.03). An association between cow hygiene score and detection of Campylobacter spp. in teat milk was observed (p = 0.03).Conclusion
Since some samples collected from loose housing systems revealed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) content of L. monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. than samples collected from tie-stalled herds, the current study suggests that the type of housing system may influence the food safety of raw milk.Significance and impact of the study
This study highlights that zoonotic bacteria can be present in raw milk independent of hygienic conditions at the farm and what housing system is used. Altogether, this study provides important knowledge for evaluating the risk of drinking unpasteurized milk.
SUBMITTER: Idland L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9315008 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:A number of studies have shown widespread public concern over housing animals in ways that restrict their ability to move freely. Dairy cows housed in tie stall barns are tethered continuously or for part of the day, but no study has assessed public support for this type of housing system. We report two experiments assessing public perceptions of tie stall housing for dairy cattle using a hypothetical referenda format. In Experiment 1, 65% of participants (n = 430) said they would support a ban on tie stalls. The probability of supporting a ban increased as the duration of time that cows were tethered increased. In Experiment 2, information about possible economic consequences was included. Relatively fewer (55%) participants (n = 372) indicated they would support a ban. Supporters of a ban were willing to pay an average dairy product price premium of 68% to see the ban enacted. Indirect measures of support indicated socially desirable responding was greater in Experiment 2 where the economic impacts of voting behavior were made explicit. In both studies, women and liberals were more likely to support a ban. The majority of participants in Experiment 1 (51%) and Experiment 2 (57%) said they had never heard or read anything about tie stalls before participating in our survey. We conclude that current knowledge of the use of tie stalls is low, but if this situation were to change there may be considerable public concern about the use of this housing method.
| S-EPMC6504086 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The molecular epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes was investigated in a longitudinal study of three Finnish dairy farms during 2013 to 2016. A total of 186 bulk tank milk (BTM), 224 milk filter sock (MFS), and 1,702 barn environment samples were analyzed, and isolates of L. monocytogenes were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. L. monocytogenes occurred throughout the year in all sample types, and the prevalence in MFS increased significantly during the indoor season. L. monocytogenes was more prevalent in MFS (29%) than in BTM (13%) samples. However, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes varied more between farms in samples of MFS (13 to 48%) than in BTM (10 to 16%). For each farm, the L. monocytogenes genotypes detected were classified by persistence (defined as persistent if isolated from ≥3 samples during ≥6 months) and predominance (defined as predominant if >5% prevalence on at least one farm visit). The prevalence of sporadic genotypes was 4 to 5% on all three farms. In contrast, the prevalence of persistent predominant genotypes varied between farms by 4% to 16%. The highest prevalence of persistent predominant genotypes was observed on the farm with the poorest production hygiene. Persistent predominant genotypes were most prevalent on feeding surfaces, water troughs, and floors. Genotypes isolated from the milking system or from cow udders had a greater relative risk of occurring in BTM and MFS than genotypes that only occurred elsewhere in the farm, supporting the hypothesis that L. monocytogenes is transmitted to milk from contamination on the udder surface or in the milking equipment.IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium and the causative agent of a serious foodborne illness, listeriosis. Dairy products are common vehicles of listeriosis, and dairy cattle farms harbor L. monocytogenes genotypes associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. Indeed, dairy cattle farms act as a reservoir of L. monocytogenes, and the organism is frequently detected in bulk tank milk (BTM) and in the feces of clinically healthy cows. The ecology of L. monocytogenes in the farm environment is complex and poorly understood. Isolates of the same L. monocytogenes genotype can occur in the farm for years, but the factors contributing to the persistence of genotypes on dairy farms are unknown. Knowledge of the persistence patterns and contamination routes of L. monocytogenes on dairy farms can improve management of the contamination pressure in the farm environment and aid in the development of focused control strategies to reduce BTM contamination.
| S-EPMC5795088 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Campylobacter jejuni are notable health hazards associated with the consumption of raw milk. These bacteria may colonize the intestines of asymptomatic cattle and enter bulk tank milk via fecal contamination during milking. We studied the frequency of STEC O157:H7 and C. jejuni contamination in tank milk (n = 785) and the in-line milk filters of milking machines (n = 631) versus the frequency of isolation from cattle feces (n = 257) on three Finnish dairy farms for 1 year. Despite simultaneous isolation of STEC O157:H7 (17%) or C. jejuni (53%) from cattle, these bacteria were rarely isolated from milk filters (2% or <1%, respectively) and milk (0%). As revealed by phylogenomics, one STEC O157:H7 strain at a time was detected on each farm and persisted for ≤12 months despite rigorous hygienic measures. C. jejuni strains of a generalist sequence type (ST-883 and ST-1080) persisted in the herds for ≥11 months, and several other C. jejuni types were detected sporadically. The stx gene carried by STEC was detected more frequently from milk filters (37%) than from milk (7%), suggesting that milk filters are more suitable sampling targets for monitoring than milk. A questionnaire of on-farm practices suggested lower stx contamination of milk when major cleansing in the barn, culling, or pasturing of dairy cows was applied, while a higher average outdoor temperature was associated with higher stx contamination. Because pathogen contamination occurred despite good hygiene and because pathogen detection from milk and milk filters proved challenging, we recommend heat treatment for raw milk before consumption.IMPORTANCE The increased popularity of raw milk consumption has created demand for relaxing legislation, despite the risk of contamination by pathogenic bacteria, notably STEC and C. jejuni However, the epidemiology of these milk-borne pathogens on the herd level is still poorly understood, and data are lacking on the frequency of milk contamination on farms with cattle shedding these bacteria in their feces. This study suggests (i) that STEC contamination in milk can be reduced, but not prevented, by on-farm hygienic measures while fecal shedding is observable, (ii) that milk filters are more suitable sampling targets for monitoring than milk although pathogen detection from both sample matrices may be challenging, and (iii) that STEC and C. jejuni genotypes may persist in cattle herds for several months. The results can be utilized in developing and targeting pathogen monitoring and risk management on the farm level and contributed to the revision of Finnish legislation in 2017.
| S-EPMC6585499 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen and a resilient environmental saprophyte. Dairy farms are a reservoir of L. monocytogenes, and strains can persist on farms for years. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 250 L. monocytogenes isolates to investigate the persistence and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of Listeria strains inhabiting dairy farms. We performed a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogenomic analysis to identify 14 monophyletic clades of L. monocytogenes persistent on the farms for ≥6 months. We found that prophages and other mobile genetic elements were, on average, more numerous among isolates in persistent than nonpersistent clades, and we demonstrated that resistance genes against bacitracin, arsenic, and cadmium were significantly more prevalent among isolates in persistent than nonpersistent clades. We identified a diversity of mobile elements among the 250 farm isolates, including three novel plasmids, three novel transposons, and a novel prophage harboring cadmium resistance genes. Several of the mobile elements we identified in Listeria were identical to the mobile elements of enterococci, which is indicative of recent transfer between these genera. Through a genome-wide association study, we discovered that three putative defense systems against invading prophages and plasmids were negatively associated with persistence on farms. Our findings suggest that mobile elements support the persistence of L. monocytogenes on dairy farms and that L. monocytogenes inhabiting the agroecosystem is a potential reservoir of mobile elements that may spread to the food industry. IMPORTANCE Animal-derived raw materials are an important source of L. monocytogenes in the food industry. Knowledge of the factors contributing to the pathogen's transmission and persistence on farms is essential for designing effective strategies against the spread of the pathogen from farm to fork. An increasing body of evidence suggests that mobile genetic elements support the adaptation and persistence of L. monocytogenes in the food industry, as these elements contribute to the dissemination of genes encoding favorable phenotypes, such as resilience against biocides. Understanding of the role of farms as a potential reservoir of these elements is needed for managing the transmission of mobile elements across the food chain. Because L. monocytogenes coinhabits the farm ecosystem with a diversity of other bacterial species, it is important to assess the degree to which genetic elements are exchanged between Listeria and other species, as such exchanges may contribute to the rise of novel resistance phenotypes.
| S-EPMC8386393 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We compared welfare measures of horses among Swedish riding schools (RS) during winter where horses were kept either in group housing (n = 8) or in tie-stalls/boxes (n = 8), Health data for six previous months were obtained for all horses at each RS from their records. Ten horses per RS were examined, with the exception of one where only 8 horses were examined. Health conditions and body condition score (BCS) using the Henneke scale were recorded and management factors were quantified (health check routines, feeding, housing-related risk factors, time outside). RS-recorded health data (for 327 horses in total) revealed that lameness was the most common issue in both systems. Respiratory problems and colic were significantly more common in tie-stall/box horses. The percentage of horses with respiratory problems (mean ± SEM) was 5.8 ± 1.4 in tie-stall/box systems and 1.1 ± 0.8 in group housing (F = 8.65, p = 0.01). The percentage with colic was 2.38 ± 0.62 in tie-stall/box systems and 0.38 ± 0.26 in group housing (F = 8.62, p = 0.01). Clinical examination of 158 horses revealed 207 conditions in these horses, the most common being minor skin injuries in areas affected by tack (i.e., saddle and bridle, including bit). Such injuries tended to be more prevalent in horses housed in tie-stalls/boxes (1.8 ± 0.6) than in group housing (0.5 ± 0.3) (F=3.14, p = 0.01). BCS was similar between systems (tie-stall/box 6.2 ± 0.1, group 6.3 ± 0.1), but the average BCS exceeded the level that is considered optimal (BCS 4⁻6). In conclusion, we found that Swedish RS horses are generally in good health, particularly when group-housed. However, 25%⁻32% were overweight. Riding schools would thus benefit from having an independent feeding expert performing regular body condition scoring of all horses and advising on feeding regimens.
| S-EPMC6466050 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Swellings of the ribs result from severe injury and affected animals are subjected to considerable and prolonged pain and suffering. The knowledge on rib swellings in dairy cows has yet been very limited. Therefore, the present study aimed at determining the prevalence of rib swellings in tie stall housed dairy cows in Germany as well as at identifying associated factors. Mean animal-level prevalence of rib swellings for 2,134 cows was 7.54% with a mean of 7.00% on farm level (range 0.00% - 37.49%). Multivariable mixed logistic regression models including nested random effects were built and factors associated with swellings of the ribs were evaluated for 1,740 dairy cows on 96 farms in Germany. Out of the initial 22 predictors, 8 factors were selected for the final model. Managing dairy cows on a part-time basis (OR 0.49 [CI 0.25-0.98]) appeared to decrease the odds for rib swellings compared with full-time farming. Cattle breeds other than Simmental entailed lower odds for rib swellings (OR 0.29 [CI 0.14-0.59]). Lame cows (OR 2.59 [CI 1.71-3.93]) and cows with wounds and/or swellings of the hocks (OR 2.77 [CI 1.32-5.84]) had more than two times the odds for rib swellings compared with sound animals. The results of the present study can help raising awareness of rib swellings in dairy cows and contribute to the body of evidence on this condition.
| S-EPMC9286234 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is frequently detected in ruminants, especially dairy cattle, and associated with the sporadic and epidemic outbreak of listeriosis in farms. In this epidemiological study, the prevalence, virulence, antibiotic resistance profiles, and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes in three Egyptian dairy cattle farms were investigated. The risk factors associated with the fecal shedding of L. monocytogenes were analyzed. The L. monocytogenes strains from the three farms were categorized into distinct genotypes based on sampling site and sample type through enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR). A total of 1896 samples were collected from animals, environments, and milking equipment in the three farms. Results revealed that 137 (7.23%) of these samples were L. monocytogenes positive. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in the animal samples was high (32.1%), and the main environmental source of prevalent genotypes in the three farms was silage. For all sample types, L. monocytogenes was more prevalent in farm I than in farms II and III. Risk factor analysis showed seasonal variation in production hygiene. For all sample types, L. monocytogenes was significantly more prevalent in winter than in spring and summer. The level of L. monocytogenes fecal shedding was high likely because of increasing age, number of parities, and milk yield in dairy cattle. Two virulence genes, namely, hlyA & prfA, were also detected in 93 strains, whereas only one of these genes was found in 44 residual strains. Conversely, iap was completely absent in all strains. The strains exhibited phenotypic resistance to most of the tested antibiotics, but none of them was resistant to netilmicin or vancomycin. According to sample type, the strains from the animal samples were extremely resistant to amoxicillin (95.2%, 80/84) and cloxacillin (92.9%, 78/84). By comparison, the strains from the environmental samples were highly resistant to cefotaxime (86.95%, 20/23). Furthermore, 25 multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns were observed in L. monocytogenes strains. All strains had a MAR index of 0.22-0.78 and harbored antibiotic resistance genes, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (blaCTX-M [92.7%] and blaDHA-1 [66.4%]), quinolones (qnrS [91.2%], qnrA [58.4%], parC [58.4%], and qnrB [51%]), macrolides (erm[B] [76.6%], erm(C) [1.5%], and msr(A) [27%]), trimethoprim (dfrD [65.7%]), and tetracyclines (tet(M) [41.6%], tet(S) [8%], and int-Tn [26.3%]). ERIC-PCR confirmed that the strains were genetically diverse and heterogeneous. A total of 137 isolated L. monocytogenes strains were classified into 22 distinct ERIC-PCR groups (A-V). Among them, ERIC E (10.2%) was the most prevalent group. These results indicated that environment and milking equipment served as reservoirs and potential transmission ways of virulent and multidrug-resistant L. monocytogenes to dairy animals, consequently posing threats to public health. Silage is the main environmental source of prevalent genotypes on all three farms. Therefore, hygienic measures at the farm level should be developed and implemented to reduce L. monocytogenes transmission inside dairy cattle farms.
| S-EPMC9356925 | biostudies-literature
Project description:: The genus Listeria now comprises up to now 21 recognized species and six subspecies, with L. monocytogenes and L. innocua as the most prevalent sensu stricto associated species. Reports focusing on the challenges in Listeria detection and confirmation are available, especially from food-associated environmental samples. L. innocua is more prevalent in the food processing environment (FPE) than L. monocytogenes and has been shown to have a growth advantage in selective enrichment and agar media. Until now, the adaptive nature of L. innocua in FPEs has not been fully elucidated and potential persistence in the FPE has not been observed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize L. innocua (n = 139) and L. monocytogenes (n = 81) isolated from FPEs and cheese products collected at five dairy processing facilities (A-E) at geno- and phenotypic levels. Biochemical profiling was conducted for all L. monocytogenes and the majority of L. innocua (n = 124) isolates and included a rhamnose positive reaction. L. monocytogenes isolates were most frequently confirmed as PCR-serogroups 1/2a, 3a (95%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)-typing, applying the restriction enzymes AscI, revealed 33 distinct Listeria PFGE profiles with a Simpson's Index of Diversity of 0.75. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) resulted in 27 STs with seven new L. innocua local STs (ST1595 to ST1601). L. innocua ST1597 and ST603 and L. monocytogenes ST121 and ST14 were the most abundant genotypes in dairy processing facilities A-E over time. Either SSI-1 (ST14) or SSI-2 (ST121, all L. innocua) were present in successfully FPE-adapted strains. We identified housekeeping genes common in Listeria isolates and L. monocytogenes genetic lineage III. Wherever there are long-term contamination events of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species, subtyping methods are helpful tools to identify niches of high risk.
| S-EPMC7074772 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Listeriosis caused by Listeria monocytogenes often poses a significant threat to vulnerable populations. Dairy products have been implicated in outbreaks of listeriosis worldwide. In Ethiopia, studies have identified Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in various dairy products, but the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of these bacteria remain largely unknown in the low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, we conducted whole-genome sequencing on 15 L. monocytogenes and 55 L. innocua isolates obtained from different levels of the dairy supply chains across three regions in Ethiopia. Genomes were assembled and used for MLST genotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis to infer phylogenetic relationships. We identified a total of 3 L. monocytogenes (i.e., 2, 145, and 18) and 12 L. innocua (i.e., 1489, 1619, 603, 537, 1010, 3186, 492, 3007, 1087, 474, 1008, and 637) MLST sequence types among the studied isolates. Some of these sequence types showed region-specific occurrence, while others were broadly distributed across regions. Through high-quality SNP analysis, we found that among 13 L. monocytogenes identified as ST 2, 11 of them were highly similar with low genetic variation, differing by only 1 to 10 SNPs, suggesting potential selection in the dairy food supply chain. The L. innocua isolates also exhibited low intra-ST genetic variation with only 0-10 SNP differences, except for the ST 1619, which displayed a greater diversity.
| S-EPMC10829315 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Listeria spp. is a diverse genus of Gram-positive bacteria commonly present in the environment while L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii are well known human and ruminant pathogens. The aim of the present study was to reveal the prevalence and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. and to identify the factors related to the abundance of pathogen at cattle farms. A total of 521 animal and environmental samples from 27 meat and dairy cattle farms were investigated and the genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes isolates was studied with WGS. The prevalence of Listeria was 58.9%, while of L. monocytogenes it was -11%. The highest prevalence of L. monocytogenes was found in the environment-soil samples near to manure storage (93%), mixed feed from the feeding trough and hay (29%), water samples from farms drinking trough (28%) and cattle feces (28%). Clonal complexes (CC) of CC37 (30%), CC11 (20%) and CC18 (17%) (all IIa serogroup) were predominant L. monocytogenes clones. CC18, CC37 and CC8 were isolated from case farms and CC37, CC11 and CC18 from farms without listeriosis history. Only one hypervirulent CC4 (1%) was isolated from the case farm. Sequence types (STs) were not associated with the isolation source, except for ST7, which was significantly associated with soil (p < 0.05). The contamination of soil, feeding tables and troughs with L. monocytogenes was associated with an increased prevalence of L. monocytogenes at farms. Our study indicates the importance of hygienic practice in the prevention of the dissemination of L. monocytogenes in the cattle farm environment.
| S-EPMC8308843 | biostudies-literature