The Use of Natural Sorbents to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Cattle Faeces

Intensification of animal production leads to an increase in ammonia emissions into the environment. For this reason, various methods and strategies are sought to reduce ammonia emissions from faeces. The aim of the study was to test the possibility of using natural sorbents and sorbent mixtures to reduce ammonia emissions from cattle faeces. Faecal samples for analysis were collected from Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during the winter. The amount of ammonia emissions from cow faeces was determined every seven days, after mixing the faeces with a mixture of selected sorbents. All of the sorbents used have the potential to remove ammonia. The most effective reduction in ammonia was achieved using biochar and a mixture of bentonite with zeolite. The reduction in these groups was 42.56% and 24.56%, respectively, relative to the control group. The results indicate that these sorbents can be used to reduce ammonia emissions from cattle farms.

Evidence of potentially unrelated AmpC beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae from cattle, cattle products and hospital environments commonly harboring the blaACC resistance determinant

The occurrence and genetic relatedness of AmpC beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical environments, groundwater, beef, human and cattle faeces were investigated. One hundred seventy-seven (177) samples were collected and cultured on MacConkey agar. A total of 203 non-repetitive isolates were characterised using genus/species-specific PCRs and the identified isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The production of AmpC beta-lactamases was evaluated using cefoxitin disc, confirmed by the D96C detection test and their encoding genes detected by PCR. The D64C extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) test was also performed to appraise ESBLs/AmpC co-production. The genetic fingerprints of AmpC beta-lactamase producers were determined by ERIC-PCR. A total of 116 isolates were identified as E. coli (n = 65), Shigella spp. (n = 36) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 15). Ciprofloxacin resistance (44.4–55.4%) was the most frequent and resistance against the Cephem antibiotics ranged from 15–43.1% for E. coli, 25–36.1% for Shigella spp., and 20–40% for K. pneumoniae. On the other hand, these bacteria strains were most sensitive to Amikacin (0%), Meropenem (2.8%) and Piperacillin-Tazobactam (6.7%) respectively. Nineteen (16.4%) isolates comprising 16 E. coli and 3 Shigella spp. were confirmed as AmpC beta-lactamase producers. However, only E. coli isolates possessed the corresponding resistance determinants: blaACC (73.7%, n = 14), blaCIT (26%, n = 5), blaDHA (11%, n = 2) and blaFOX (16%, n = 3). Thirty-four (27.3%) Enterobacteriaceae strains were confirmed as ESBL producers and a large proportion (79.4%, n = 27) harboured the blaTEM gene, however, only two were ESBLs/AmpC co-producers. Genetic fingerprinting of the AmpC beta-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates revealed low similarity between isolates. In conclusion, the findings indicate the presence of AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from cattle, beef products and hospital environments that commonly harbour the associated resistance determinants especially the blaACC gene, nonetheless, there is limited possible cross-contamination between these environments.

Surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis sp. isolated from cattle

Widisuputri NKA, Lastuti NDR, Suprihati E, Hastutiek P, Plumeriastuti H, Mufasirin, Puspitasari H, Suwanti LT. 2021. Surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis sp. isolated from cattle. Biodiversitas 22: 1514-1518. Blastocystis sp is a protozoan parasite commonly detected in the intestinal tract of humans and various animals that causes zoonotic blastocystosis. The pathogenic potential of Blastocystis is still being evaluated, some Blastocystis sp are completely pathogenic, while others can be considered commensal and hypothetical, related to the role of the surface coat of Blastocystis sp. This study aimed to compare the surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis sp. in cattle with diarrhea and non diarrhea by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Four Blastocystis sp. isolates were selected from the faeces of four positives cattle which consisted of two diarrhea and two non-diarrhea cattle. The result showed that Blastocystis sp. in cattle appeared in round shape and reproduced by binary fission. The surface cell of Blastocystis sp. isolates from diarrhea cattle had a rough surface while organism of non diarrhea cattle isolates was very smooth. Bacteria were seen attached to the surface of Blastocystis sp. from diarrhea cattle faeces. In conclusion, the features of the surface structure of Blastocystis sp. correlated with symptomatic appearance. The surface structure of Blastocystis sp. isolates from cattle with diarrhea was rougher than non diarrhea.

Effects of Aeschynomene histrix Poir. seed treatment on germination

Description of the subject. Poor germination associated with physical dormancy was experienced in the legume Aeschynomene histrix Poir. seeds and can reduce the establishment and growth of this species. Objectives. To evaluate the effects of different pre-planting treatments, including digestion by Lagune cattle or other preplanting treatments on the germinability of A. histrix seeds. Method. The experiment was divided into three phases. Firstly, six Lagune cattle (three young bulls and three heifers) were fed individually with 1,000 seeds and these seeds were subsequently collected from faeces. Secondly, seed germination was compared among seeds defecated by cattle and seeds submitted to seven other pre-planting treatments: control (intact untreated seeds); seeds scarified using sandpaper; and seeds immersed in 80 °C-hot water for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min. Thirdly, we also assessed the effect of crumbling cattle faeces on A. histrix germinability. Results. The results show that Lagune cattle can disperse seeds of A. histrix with maximum recovery on the second day after ingestion. Of the number of seeds fed 13.42% were recovered. The germination percentage was greatest for sandpaper scarified seeds (96%) and seeds pre-heated during 2 min (86%), but least for digested seeds (4.27%). Breaking-down the dung doubled seedling emergence from digested seeds. Conclusions. As it is desirable to break dormancy of A. histrix seeds, the use of mechanical scarification using sandpapering or hot water scarification 80 °C at 2 min may be more beneficial than cattle digestion.

Isolation, identification, molecular detection and sensitivity to antibiotics of Salmonella from cattle faeces

The present study was designed with the aim of isolation and identification of Salmonella by con-ventional culture method and their confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibacte-rial sensitivity study of isolated Salmonella from cattle faeces was also performed. During the study period of July 2017 to June 2018, a total of 200 faecal samples were collected from different government and private farms in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Out of 200 samples, 24 (12%) were found to be positive for Salmonella by conventional culture methods. Among the twenty four suspected colonies of Salmonella, seventeen were confirmed by biochemical test and same number was detected by PCR estimating a prevalence of 8.5% (17/200). The prevalence was high-er in calves under 1 year of age (16%) compared with older animals (11.25% of 1–2 years; 10% of above 2 years of age) but without statistically significant differences (χ2=4.835, P=0.089). Moreo-ver, in diarrhoeic animals the prevalence was significantly higher (32.14%, χ2=49.414, P<0.01) than in apparently healthy animals (8.72%). The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that highest number of Salmonella isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (100%), gentamicin (100%) and neomycin (100%). On the other hand, significantly high resistance of Salmonella isolates was detected to erythromycin (100%), amoxicillin (100%), cotrimoxazole (81.48%), streptomycin (62.96%) followed by tetracycline (55.56%).

Prevalence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157, O26 and O111 in milk, meat and faeces of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in Benin

Objectives: The study aimed to search for E. coli O157 and non-O157 in milk, meat and faeces of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in Cotonou. Methodology and Results: One hundred and Seventy-Five (175) samples including 25 meat, 25 faeces per species and 25 milk from cattle were analysed for E. coli O157; O26 and O111 and the virulence genes were identified by PCR. The SAS software (1998) and the bilateral Z test were used to calculate and compare the identification frequencies. E. coli O157 was identified in 4% of cattle faeces, 4% of sheep faeces, and 20% of beef and, in 20% of milk samples. E. coli O26 was identified in 12% of cattle faeces and, in 8% of beef samples. E. coli O111 was identified at frequencies of 8%, and 12% in faeces of sheep and pigs, respectively. The eae gene was detected in 4% of beef, ovine meat, milk, pig faeces and in sheep faeces. stx1 was detected in 8% of milk, and in 4% of bovine and sheep faeces. The strains possessing the gene were all of E. coli O157 with the exception of one from pig faeces identified as O111. Conclusions and application of findings: The presence of these serogroups of E. coli with virulence genes poses a real food safety problem in Benin. This study findings must be taken into account for risk assessment and management related to the consumption of food of animal origin. Keywords: Benin, E. coli O157, O26, O111, faeces, meat, milk

Pengembangan Teknologi Probio_FM untuk Pengolahan Pupuk Organik pada Kelompok Peternak Sapi di Desa Lubuk Lingkuk, Kabupaten Bangka Tengah

The integrated farming system between cattle and oil palm plantation provide both food source for cattle and fertilizer for the plant. This community partnership program aimed to give technical assistance to cattle farmers in producing organic fertilizer with probio_Fm technology. The activity was consisted of three steps, which were introduction, demonstration (laboratory and field demonstration), and control (monitoring and evaluation). The success of the program was qualitatively analysed. As a result, the Saling Gumilang cattle farmer group have been able to apply probio_Fm technology in cattle faeces composting. The farmers absorb 85% of the information given, which meant that the information was considered easy to be understood. As much as 50% of the farmers stated their preference in sustainable use of the probio_Fm technology. The farmers had shown their skills to produce organic fertilizer with probio_Fm technology without further asssitance. They produced one ton of organic fetilizer from cattle faeces with probio_Fm technology. The fertilizer had browny-blackish colour, weak undesirable odor, and loose texture. In the future, sustainable implementation of the probio_Fm technology is expected to optimize the cattle faeces composting in order to get a higher advantages of the integrated farming system between cattle and oil palm plantation.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from various samples of animal origin from Assam, India

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae has become a major threat globally. Here we have characterized ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae from various sources, studied antibiogram and resistance gene profiles. Out of 385 samples, 31 (8.05%) were positive for ESBL producing E. coli. Such isolates could be recovered from 10.05, 8.33, 15.63, 6.67 and 4.35 per cent of cattle milk, curd, chicken, pork and cattle faeces samples, respectively. A total of 59 (15.32%) samples were positive for ESBL producing K. pneumoniae, which were isolated from 14.35, 6.25, 21.43 and 34.78 per cent cattle milk, chicken, beef and cattle faeces, respectively. All the 90 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by CDT and ESBL-E strip tests. Antibiogram revealed that 74.19% and 69.49% of the ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively showed resistance to ceftizoxime, 25.81% and 23.73% to both co-trimoxazole and tetracycline, 19.35% and 25.42% to ciprofloxacin, 9.68% and 16.95% to chloramphenicol, 3.23% and 5.08% to pipercillin-tazobactam, and 3.23% and 3.39% to gentamicin. Resistance gene profiling showed blaCTX-M gene as most predominant (100%). The blaTEM gene was found in 54.84% and 55.93%, blaSHV gene in 90.32% and 77.97%, Sul 1 gene in 90.32% and 86.44% of ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. The Int1 gene was detected in 70.97% and 62.71% isolates, while qnrB gene was found in 3.23% and 10.17% of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively.

Lactoferrin quantification in cattle faeces by ELISA

Background Promoting and maintaining health is critical to ruminant welfare and productivity. Within human medicine, faecal lactoferrin is quantified for routine assessment of various gastrointestinal illnesses avoiding the need for blood sampling. This approach might also be adapted and applied for non-invasive health assessments in animals. Methods In this proof-of-concept study, a bovine lactoferrin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), designed for serum and milk, was applied to a faecal supernatant to assess its potential for quantifying lactoferrin in the faeces of cattle. Faecal lactoferrin concentrations were compared to background levels to assess the viability of the technique. A comparison was then made against serum lactoferrin levels to determine if they were or were not reflective of one another. Results The optical densities of faecal samples were significantly greater than background readings, supporting the hypothesis that the assay was effective in quantifying faecal lactoferrin (T13, 115 = 11.99, p < 0.0005). The mean faecal lactoferrin concentration was 0.269 µg mL−1 (S.E. 0.031) and the mean serum concentration 0.074 µg mL−1 (S.E. 0.005). Lactoferrin concentrations of faecal and serum samples, taken from the same animals on the same day, were significantly different (T21 = 2.20, p = 0.039) and did not correlate (r = 0.2699, p = 0.238). Conclusion Results support the hypothesis that lactoferrin can be quantified in cattle faeces by ELISA. Whilst further research is required to determine the physiological source of the lactoferrin, this highlights the potential of the method for non-invasive assessment of cattle immunology and pathology.