Applied research note : biomonitoring of mycotoxins in blood serum and feed to assess exposure of broiler chickens

Because European maximum guidance values of mycotoxins are only available for feed, mycotoxin exposure in animals is mainly monitored by feed analysis. However, proper sample collection is needed to ensure reliable results because of uneven distributions and disproportional spread of mycotoxins in feed which can hamper the evaluation of mycotoxin exposure in animals. A cross-sectional study was performed on 40 randomly selected broiler farms in Belgium. During a farm visit at the animal's age of 28 d, a pooled feed sample at the beginning and the end of the feed line was collected. Feed samples were analyzed by a validated multimycotoxin LC-MS/MS method. Moreover, serum samples were collected from 10 randomly selected chickens per farm. Serum concentrations of mycotoxins and major in vivo phase I metabolites were analyzed quantitatively, whereas the presence of phase II metabolites was determined in a qualitative approach by an UPLC-HRMS method. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was the most frequently occurring mycotoxin, being present in 74% of the feed samples, with an average concentration of 270 +/- 171 mu g/kg and a maximum concentration of 751 mu g/kg in positive samples. Also the acetylated forms 3and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3 and 15ADON) were present in half of the samples, however, at lower concentrations (8 +/- 3 mu g 3ADON and 10 +/- 7 mu g 15ADON/kg). Only in 17.5% of the farms, DON was detected in serum samples at a mean serum concentration and standard deviation (SD) of 11 +/- 19 ng/mL. The maximum serum concentration of 49 ng DON/ mL was detected in broilers which were fed a diet that was contaminated with 191 mu g DON/kg, whereas the maximum concentration of DON in feed was 751 mu g/kg. Besides, 3 and 15ADON were only detected in 10% of the serum samples (max. 1.3 ng/mL). Sulfate conjugates of DON were only detected in a few serum samples. Qualitative screening for phase II metabolites of other mycotoxins showed similar results. Overall, correlations between feed and serum concentrations of all mycotoxins were lacking (R-2 = 0.18 for DON)

Novel foci of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks infected with Babesia canis and Babesia caballi in the Netherlands and in Belgium

BACKGROUND : Autochthonous populations of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the Netherlands were discovered after fatal cases of babesiosis occurred in resident dogs in 2004. The presence of D. reticulatus in the Netherlands has also linked with the emergence of piroplasmosis in the resident horse population. The aim of this study was to put together results of continued surveillance of field sites and hosts for this tick in the Netherlands and also in Belgium and determine their infection status for Babesia and Theileria species. METHODS : Ticks were collected from the vegetation at 11 locations between 2011 and 2013. D. reticulatus ticks were also collected from different hosts between 2007 and 2013. Ticks were screened by PCR and reverse line blot (RLB). RESULTS : A total of 1368 D. reticulatus ticks were collected from 4 previously known field locations and from 5 new locations in the Netherlands and from 2 sites in Belgium (one old and one new location). A total of 855 ticks collected from 8 locations in the Netherlands and 2 locations in Belgium were tested. Fourteen ticks (1,64%) collected at 4 field locations (Dintelse Gorzen, Rozenburg, Slikken van de Heen and St. Philipsland) were positive for Babesia canis, whereas two ticks were positive for Babesia caballi, one tick in the Dintelse Gorzen in the Netherlands and one tick was found positive in De Panne in Belgium. A further 1092 D. reticulatus ticks were collected between 2007 and 2013 from 40 dogs (132 ticks), two ticks from two humans, 51 ticks from 15 horses, two ticks from two cats, one tick from a roe deer, whereas most ticks (904) were collected from cattle (n = 25). Ticks were found throughout the year on dogs in nearly all provinces of the Netherlands. None of the ticks collected from these hosts were infected. CONCLUSIONS : D. reticulatus is continuing its spread into novel areas. The finding that some autochthonous ticks are infected with B. canis and B. caballi poses a threat to the resident dog and horse population and justifies year-round tick control measures.Prof. Frederic Beugnet and Dr. Fabien Danlois of Merial are thanked for their continued interest and financial support for this study.http://www.parasitesandvectors.comam201

Comparing farm biosecurity and antimicrobial use in high-antimicrobial-consuming broiler and pig farms in the Belgian-Dutch border region

As antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem, threatening both livestock and public health, understanding the drivers for resistance in different settings and countries is essential. Therefore, 30 pig and 30 poultry farms with country-specific high antimicrobial use (AMU) were recruited in the Belgian-Dutch border region. Information regarding production parameters, farm characteristics, biosecurity, and AMU was collected. On average, more biosecurity measures were implemented on Dutch farms, compared to Belgian farms in both animal species. In addition, more opportunities were found to increase the level of internal biosecurity compared to external biosecurity in both countries. AMU, quantified as treatment incidence (TI), differed marginally significant between broiler farms in Belgium and the Netherlands (median BE: 8; NL: 3), whereas in weaned piglets (median BE: 45 and NL: 14) and finishing pigs (median BE: 5 and NL: 1), there was a substantial difference in AMU between farms from both countries. Overall, Dutch farms showed less between-farm variation in TI than did Belgian farms. In both poultry and pig production, the majority of antimicrobials used were extended-spectrum penicillins (BE: 32 and 40%; NL: 40 and 24% for poultry and pigs, respectively). Compared to Belgian farms, Dutch poultry farms used high amounts of (fluoro)quinolones (1 and 15% of total AMU, respectively). None of the production parameters between broiler farms differed significantly, but in pig production, weaning age in Belgian farms (median: 23) was lower than in Dutch farms (median: 27). These results indicate considerable room for improvement in both countries and animal species. Farm-specific preventive strategies can contribute to lowering the risk for animal disease and hence the need for AMU

The potential effect of improved provision of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Gavi-eligible countries: a modelling study

Background Tens of thousands of people die from dog-mediated rabies annually. Deaths can be prevented through post-exposure prophylaxis for people who have been bitten, and the disease eliminated through dog vaccination. Current post-exposure prophylaxis use saves many lives, but availability remains poor in many rabies-endemic countries due to high costs, poor access, and supply. Methods We developed epidemiological and economic models to investigate the effect of an investment in post-exposure prophylaxis by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We modelled post-exposure prophylaxis use according to the status quo, with improved access using WHO-recommended intradermal vaccination, with and without rabies immunoglobulin, and with and without dog vaccination. We took the health provider perspective, including only direct costs. Findings We predict more than 1 million deaths will occur in the 67 rabies-endemic countries considered from 2020 to 2035, under the status quo. Current post-exposure prophylaxis use prevents approximately 56 000 deaths annually. Expanded access to, and free provision of, post-exposure prophylaxis would prevent an additional 489 000 deaths between 2020 and 2035. Under this switch to efficient intradermal post-exposure prophylaxis regimens, total projected vaccine needs remain similar (about 73 million vials) yet 17·4 million more people are vaccinated, making this an extremely cost-effective method, with costs of US$635 per death averted and$33 per disability-adjusted life-years averted. Scaling up dog vaccination programmes could eliminate dog-mediated rabies over this time period; improved post-exposure prophylaxis access remains cost-effective under this scenario, especially in combination with patient risk assessments to reduce unnecessary post-exposure prophylaxis use. Interpretation Investing in post-exposure vaccines would be an extremely cost-effective intervention that could substantially reduce disease burden and catalyse dog vaccination efforts to eliminate dog-mediated rabies.Additional co-authors: D. H. Ashwath Narayana, M. K. Sudarshan, Athman Mwatondo, Matthew Muturi, Gati Wambura, Glenn T Edosoa, Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Laurence Baril, Abdallah Traoré, Sarah Jayme, Johann Kotzé, Amila Gunesekera, Nakul Chitnis, Jan Hattendorf, Mirjam Laager, Monique Lechenne, Jakob Zinsstag, Joel Changalucha, Zac Mtema, Ahmed Lugelo, Kennedy Lushasi, Onphirul Yurachai, Charlotte Jessica E. Metcalf, Malavika Rajeev, Jesse Blanton, Galileu Barbosa Costa, Nandini Sreenivasan, Ryan Wallace, Deborah Briggs, Louise Taylor, Samuel M Thumbi, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huon

The potential effect of improved provision of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Gavi-eligible countries: a modelling study

Background: Tens of thousands of people die from dog-mediated rabies annually. Deaths can be prevented through post-exposure prophylaxis for people who have been bitten, and the disease eliminated through dog vaccination. Current post-exposure prophylaxis use saves many lives, but availability remains poor in many rabies-endemic countries due to high costs, poor access, and supply. Methods: We developed epidemiological and economic models to investigate the effect of an investment in post-exposure prophylaxis by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We modelled post-exposure prophylaxis use according to the status quo, with improved access using WHO-recommended intradermal vaccination, with and without rabies immunoglobulin, and with and without dog vaccination. We took the health provider perspective, including only direct costs. Findings: We predict more than 1 million deaths will occur in the 67 rabies-endemic countries considered from 2020 to 2035, under the status quo. Current post-exposure prophylaxis use prevents approximately 56 000 deaths annually. Expanded access to, and free provision of, post-exposure prophylaxis would prevent an additional 489 000 deaths between 2020 and 2035. Under this switch to efficient intradermal post-exposure prophylaxis regimens, total projected vaccine needs remain similar (about 73 million vials) yet 17·4 million more people are vaccinated, making this an extremely cost-effective method, with costs of US$635 per death averted and$33 per disability-adjusted life-years averted. Scaling up dog vaccination programmes could eliminate dog-mediated rabies over this time period; improved post-exposure prophylaxis access remains cost-effective under this scenario, especially in combination with patient risk assessments to reduce unnecessary post-exposure prophylaxis use. Interpretation: Investing in post-exposure vaccines would be an extremely cost-effective intervention that could substantially reduce disease burden and catalyse dog vaccination efforts to eliminate dog-mediated rabies. Funding: World Health Organization

A study on risk factors for macroscopic gut abnormalities in intensively reared broiler chickens*

Intensification of broiler production has coincided with an increase in enteric disorders. Enteric syndromes of unknown aetiology are often associated with an increased feed conversion ratio and are given the general term "dysbiosis". Despite the importance of dysbiosis, information on factors contributing to this condition are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe dysbiosis in broilers (Ross 308) during one production round and to identify risk factors. Fifteen farms in Flanders (Belgium) were followed up, with visits at days 10, 17, 20, 24 and 28 of production. At every visit, 10 random birds were inspected for footpad lesions, hock burns and breast blisters. Also, coccidiosis and enteric abnormalities were scored after necropsy. A gut appearance score (GAS) was given based on 10 macroscopically visible parameters, where a higher GAS equalled more enteric abnormalities. Footpad lesions were seen in 14 farms and increased in prevalence with the age of the birds. Hock burns were seen less frequently, and no breast blisters were detected. Eimeria acervulina lesions were most frequently observed, followed by E. maxima and E. tenella lesions. The average GAS increased from day 10 until day 20. The strong correlations between the GAS at days 10, 17 and 20 indicate that prevalence of gut abnormalities at day 10 can be predictive for scores later on. A higher amount of intestinal defects was seen in older female birds, in the presence of a conceivable E. tenella infection and at farms with a higher productivity and sanitary status

A field study on correlations between macroscopic gut health scoring, histological measurements and performance parameters in broilers

Optimal intestinal health is a prerequisite for sustainable poultry production. Intestinal health can be evaluated by scoring macroscopic intestinal abnormalities and by histological measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between macroscopic gut appearance scoring (GAS), coccidiosis lesion scoring, histological measurements and performance parameters in broilers under field conditions. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was performed on 50 broiler farms where birds were sampled at 28 days of age. The GAS was determined by scoring the absence or presence of 10 macroscopically visible parameters of the gastrointestinal tract, yielding a GAS between 0 and 10, with 0 meaning no gut abnormalities. On individual bird level, when birds had a GAS score of 6 or higher, significantly shorter villi were found in the duodenum. Also, CD3+ T-lymphocyte area percentage in the duodenal mucosa was significantly negatively correlated to villus length. On farm level, the average feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 1.59 +/- 0.04 [1.52-1.73]. However, no correlations were found between the GAS at the age of 28 days and the prevalence of coccidiosis, nor did coccidiosis lesion scoring correlate with the FCR. Also, a higher GAS could not be associated with a higher FCR. In conclusion, on all farms a certain degree of macroscopic visible gut and coccidiosis lesions were present in birds of 28 days of age, while this did not correlate with the FCR. This suggests that broilers are able to cope with a certain level of gut damage before it influences the overall performance

Antimicrobial Resistance in <i>Escherichia coli</i> and Its Correlation with Antimicrobial Use on Commercial Poultry Farms in Bangladesh

Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, posing risks to human and animal health. This research quantified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in E. coli isolates from poultry fecal and environmental samples in Bangladesh and explored their association with antimicrobial use (AMU). We screened 725 fecal and 250 environmental samples from 94 conventional broilers and 51 Sonali farms for E. coli presence using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. AMU data were collected at flock levels, expressed as treatment incidence (TI), while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for 14 antibiotics were determined on five fecal E. coli isolates per farm and on all environmental isolates. MIC results were interpreted using human clinical breakpoints and EUCAST epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs). Acquired resistance against commonly used antimicrobial agents such as ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and ampicillin, was extremely high and predominantly clinically relevant. There was a moderate correlation between fecal and environmental antibiotic resistance index (ARI), but there was no significant correlation between AMU and AMR, suggesting that the observed AMR prevalence is unrelated to current AMU in poultry, but may be due to high historical AMU. A high level of multidrug resistance, including against critically important antimicrobials, was found in both farm types. Therefore, an AMR/AMU surveillance program is urgently needed in the poultry production sector of Bangladesh

The ADKAR® change management model for farmer profiling with regard to antimicrobial stewardship in livestock production

Antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice and animal production is important from a One Health perspective. The ADKAR® change management model is a well-known strategy to implement behavioral change in people and small businesses. The objective of this study was to adapt the existing ADKAR® change management model to enable herd veterinarians to profile farmers with regard to antimicrobial stewardship. Therefore, an antimicrobial stewardship related scoring scale was defined. Subsequently, ADKAR® profiles of 26 poultry and 28 pig farmers from Belgium and the Netherlands were determined. For 57% of the farmers, perception and/or motivation were expected to limit successful change. For 70% of the farmers, knowledge and for 52% of the farmers, a lack of ability were the limiting factor. The ADKAR® model proved useful for identifying the key elements that prevent successful behavioral change in farmers to reduce the use of antibiotics in farm animals