Ability of dogs to detect cows in estrus from sniffing saliva samples

Efficient estrus detection in high-producing dairy cows is a permanent challenge for successful reproductive performance. In former studies, dogs have been trained to identify estrus-specific odor in vaginal fluid, milk, urine, and blood samples under laboratory conditions with an accuracy of more than 80%. For on-farm utilization of estrus-detection dogs it would be beneficial in terms of hygiene and safety if dogs could identify cows from the feed alley. The objective of this proof of concept study was to test if dogs can be trained to detect estrus-specific scent in saliva of cows. Saliva samples were collected from cows in estrus and diestrus. Thirteen dogs of various breeds and both sexes were trained in this study. Five dogs had no experience in scent detection, whereas 8 dogs had been formerly trained for detection of narcotics or cancer. In the training and test situation, dogs had to detect 1 positive out of 4 samples. Dog training was based on positive reinforcement and dogs were rewarded with a clicker and food for indicating saliva samples of cows in estrus. A false indication was ignored and documented in the test situation. Dogs with and without prior training were trained for 1 and 5 d, respectively. For determining the accuracy of detection, the position of the positive sample was unknown to the dog handler, to avoid hidden cues to the dog. The overall percentage of correct positive indications was 57.6% (175/304), with a range from 40 (1 dog) to 75% (3 dogs). To our knowledge, this is the first indication that dogs are able to detect estrus-specific scent in saliva of cows

Comparison of different samples for the detection of MRSA in pigs

Sampling herds and animals for pathogens is vital for the control of these pathogens. It was the objective of this study to analyse published data on the sensitivity of different types of samples for the detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in individual animals and groups of animals in livestock species in the absence of a gold standard

Antimicrobial resistance of commensal E. coli from the pork food chain in Germany

In the framework of the National Zoonoses Monitoring in Germany, E. coli from pigs and pork as well as from wild boar meat have been tested for their resistance to a panel of 14 antimicrobials using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI. The determined minimum inhibitory concentrations were evaluated based on the epidemiological cut-off values as provided by EUCAST

Salmonella in pork – Lessons to be learned from salmonella control in poultry

Based on Reg. (EC) No. 2160/2003, programs to control Salmonella in primary production in poultry have been decided and implemented in Europe. This paper addresses the question of the efficacy of these programs to reduce the incidence of salmonellosis in humans in Germany

Infection kinetics and host specificity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs

In this study, we investigated the colonisation kinetics and host specificity of three different clonal lines of MRSA (ST8, ST9 and ST398). MRSA prevalence on skin, nasal mucosa, conjunctiva, feacal shedding and distribution patterns of MRSA in internal organs in weaning piglets are studied

Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the pork food chain in Germany

This paper gives an overview on studies carried out in Germany on the prevalence of MRSA on different stages of the pork food chain. Prevalence studies were carried out on herd level for breeding (201 herds) and fattening pits (290 herds), at abattoirs (n=1026 pigs), in a pork processing facility and in pig meat at retail. MRSA were characterized using spa-typing SCCmec-typing and testing for antimicrobial resistance

Occurrence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Turkey and Broiler Barns and Contamination of Air and Soil Surfaces in Their Vicinity

The emission of microorganisms, especially resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), from poultry farms is of public interest, and its occurrence and relevance are controversially discussed. So far, there are limited data on this issue. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of livestock-associated (LA)-MRSA inside and outside previously tested MRSA-positive poultry barns in Germany. In total, five turkey and two broiler fattening farms were investigated four and three times, respectively. In a longitudinal study during one fattening period, samples were collected from animals, the animals' environment inside the barn, including the air, and the barns' surroundings, such as ambient air and boot swabs of ground surfaces at different distances from the barn. Moreover, a cross-sectional study was carried out once inside the barns on five turkey and four broiler farms during the last third of the fatting period. In the cross- sectional study, LA-MRSA was detected in the air of most barns (7 of 9, 77.8%), as well as in many samples originating from animals, with detections levels of 50 to 54% in broiler and 62 to 77% in turkey farms. In the longitudinal study, LA-MRSA was found in the ambient air outside two turkey barns and on the ground surface on the downwind side of many (44.4%) turkey and broiler farms. The same spa types of isolates were observed inside and outside the barns. Transmission of MRSA within poultry farms, as well as emission via the airborne route, seems to be possible

Salmonella in pigs and pork and their antimicrobial resistance - 10 years of surveillance in Germany

Salmonella from pigs and pork have been submitted to the National Reference Laboratory for the Analysis and Testing of Zoonoses (Salmonella) (NRL Salm) for a number of years. This study retrospectively analyses the data of Salmonella and their antimicrobial resistance generated between 2000 and 2009. A total of 4163 isolates from pigs and 1839 isolates from pork submitted to the NRL Salm were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial resistance using the broth microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were evaluated using epidemiological cut-off values as provided by EUCAST (www.eucast.org) at the time of interpretation (2010). The majority of isolates from pigs and pork belonged to three serovars: S. Typhimurium (66 and 52%), monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium (1,4,[5],12:i:-) (11 and 10%) and S. Derby (7 and 10%). In both origins the number of S. Typhimurium decreased by roughly 50% while monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium increased from zero to 32 and 26%, respectively. The proportion of S. Derby varied between 5 and 12% in both origins

Co-occurrence of the bla(VIM-1) and bla(SHV-12) genes on an IncHI2 plasmid of an Escherichia coli isolate recovered from German livestock

The dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is an important public health issue. The number of human CPE isolates has been steadily increasing during recent years, worldwide. Despite the fact that carbapenems are not licensed for use in veterinary medicine, increasing numbers of CPE from the veterinary sector have been reported. The transmission of CPE between pets/livestock and exposed humans as well as via food has been demonstrated. In this study, a detailed characterization of a carbapenem-resistant porcine Escherichia coli co-harbouring blaVIM-1, blaSHV-12 and blaACC-1 genes, along with other resistance genes, is provided

MRSA in herds of fattening pigs in Germany- Associated risk factors

We investigated the association of putative risk factors with the prevalence of MRSA in herds of fattening pigs. Dust samples of 282 herds in Germany were collected in 2008. lnfonnation regarding herd characteristics and management practices was collected in a standardized questionnaire. Dust samples were pooled per farm and cultured using selective enrichment and chromogenic media. Presumptive MRSA-isolates were confirmed by multiplex-PCR for the detection of 16S rDNA, nuc and mecA genes. The association of management factors with prevalence was detennined using univariate logistic regression. Multivariate models were not used on account of substantial multicollinearity between the variables