Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chika C. Okafor, John E. Ekakoro, Marc Caldwell, Elizabeth B. Strand
Summary: Understanding producers' emotional views towards antimicrobial use practices is important for making future behavioral changes and reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance challenge. A study was conducted with beef and dairy cattle producers in Tennessee to assess their emotional experiences regarding responsible antimicrobial use. The findings suggest that producers have deep connections to animals and take pride in their products, but also feel distress when consumers misunderstand their practices. Improving awareness and transparency can help address these emotional concerns and promote better stewardship in antimicrobial use practices.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mary Ellen Dillon, Douglas Jackson-Smith
Summary: The implementation of GFI #213/VFD in Ohio cattle operations showed minimal adverse impacts on compliance and incentivized reduced use of fed antibiotics without significant adverse effects, consistent with its goal of promoting judicious use of medically important antibiotics.
Article
Entomology
K. Smith, K. L. DeLong, A. P. Griffith, C. N. Boyer, C. C. Martinez, S. M. Schexnayder, R. T. Trout Fryxell
Summary: This study surveyed cattle producers in Tennessee and Texas to assess their expenses for controlling horn flies. The results showed that various factors such as demographics, perceptions, and practices, influenced the costs of managing horn flies.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Pulkit Marwah, Yu Yvette Zhang, Mengmeng Gu
Summary: Crapemyrtle is a popular summer flowering tree in the U.S., but its production and use may be affected by the crapemyrtle bark scale. Producers support science-based research on CMBS control, believing that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Anne Meyer, Celine Faverjon, Miel Hostens, Arjan Stegeman, Angus Cameron
Summary: This systematic review assessed the FAIRness of datasets associated with peer-reviewed articles in veterinary epidemiology research published since 2017, showing that most datasets used in non-molecular epidemiological studies were not available, while data availability was higher for molecular epidemiology papers. The available data objects generally scored well for Findable, Accessible, and Reusable indicators, but Interoperability was a more challenging aspect.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Svensson, H. Lomander, Suvi Kokko
Summary: This study aimed to explore the interpretation of veterinary herd health management (VHHM) services by Swedish cattle veterinarians and understand the factors influencing their engagement in VHHM. The findings suggest that farmer trust and demand, veterinary competence, available time, and individual veterinarians’ commitment and motivation are important factors affecting the extent of VHHM services. Lack of time was identified as a major barrier.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shary Tamara Schneider, Diana Meemken, Heidrun Gehlen, Roswitha Merle, Nina Langkabel
Summary: Equine veterinarians, owners, and keepers in Europe may have insufficient knowledge about the legal regulations and usage of drugs in slaughter equines, which could lead to missing and false documentation, as well as the risk of drug residues in equine meat. Surveys conducted in 2021 revealed that a significant percentage of participating veterinarians found the regulations regarding slaughter equines to be complicated, and many were unsure about the correct procedures for administering prohibited drugs. Similarly, a substantial number of equine owners and keepers were unaware of the circumstances under which equines can be legally slaughtered for human consumption.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marija Klopcic, Karmen Erjavec, Megan Waldrop, Jutta Roosen, Petra Engel, Paul Galama, Abele Kuipers
Summary: The study found that farmers preferred the compost bedded-pack system over the cubicle system, and most consumers believed that compost could be used for non-edible products. There were statistically significant differences between countries, indicating the need to consider regional specificities when marketing products from compost in CBP barns.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olufunto A. Olusanya, Brianna White, Fauzia Malik, Kyra A. Hester, Robert L. Davis, Robert A. Bednarczyk, Arash Shaban-Nejad
Summary: This study explored the perceptions and experiences of adolescent healthcare providers regarding routine vaccination services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that patient-provider communication, effective use of presumptive languaging, provider's continuing education/training, periodic reminders/recall messages, and other factors contribute to the improvement of adolescent HPV vaccine uptake. The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted preventive adolescent services.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mac Kneipp, Alexandra C. Green, Merran Govendir, Michael Laurence, Navneet K. Dhand
Summary: Pinkeye is a significant disease for cattle worldwide, causing negative impacts on farm productivity and animal welfare. Factors such as age of cattle, frequency of treatment, and herd size influence farmers' perception of the disease's impact and their estimated spending. Understanding these factors can help improve outcomes for both cattle and farmers.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amber Diane Carroll, Alissa Cisneros, Hannah Porter, Carly Moody, Anastasia Chiara Stellato
Summary: Improving the veterinary experience for domestic dogs and their owners is crucial for canine welfare and owner compliance. Dog owner perspectives can enhance satisfaction and clinic visits. A survey showed that participants generally disagreed with more restrictive techniques and agreed with less restrictive techniques, regardless of dog behavior. Owner perspectives align with current handling recommendations, encouraging veterinarians to incorporate them for a better veterinary care experience.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Longteng Ma, Lifen Wang, Zixi Zhang, Dingfu Xiao
Summary: This paper summarizes the classification, function, application, and existing issues of biological feed in livestock and poultry production, providing a reference for future research and applications. Biological feed is a feed product developed through bioengineering technologies such as fermentation engineering, enzyme engineering, protein engineering, and genetic engineering. It has functional characteristics of high nutritional value and good palatability, which can improve feed utilization, replace antibiotics, enhance the health level of livestock and poultry, improve the quality of livestock products, and promote a better breeding environment. The article provides a comprehensive review on the types of biological feed, their mechanism of action, fermenting strains, fermenting raw material resources, and their current status in animal production to facilitate in-depth research and development of applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tamara L. Chavez-Lindell, Katie A. Cahill, Kristina W. Kintziger, Agricola Odoi
Summary: This study investigated differences in opinions among residents of Tennessee regarding the impacts of COVID-19 and identified socioeconomic and demographic predictors of these opinions. The results showed that age, race, educational attainment, and household composition were significant factors influencing perceptions of COVID-19. These findings can be valuable in guiding public health outreach and education programs.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elizabeth C. S. Johnstone, Johann F. Coetzee, Pablo J. Pinedo, Lily Edwards-Callaway
Summary: The study found that the frequency of analgesia use increased with the age of cattle, regardless of the procedure or disease. Men had lower odds of analgesia use compared to women, and veterinarians had greater odds compared to producers. Many respondents were aware of the benefits of analgesia use in cattle but perceived federal regulations and drug costs as obstacles to implementing pain mitigation protocols on cattle operations.
JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elizabeth A. Dressler, William Shaffer, Kelsey Bruno, Clint R. Krehbiel, Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo, Chris J. Richards, Sara E. Place, Udaya DeSilva, Larry A. Kuehn, Robert L. Weaber, Jennifer M. Bormann, Megan M. Rolf
Summary: This study evaluated novel phenotypes related to feed and water intake behaviors and estimated their heritabilities, variance components, and genetic and phenotypic correlations. Understanding the importance of feed and water intake is crucial for cattle production as it impacts producer profitability and sustainability. While previous studies have focused on feed and water intake, the associated feeding and drinking behaviors are relatively unknown and lack standardized phenotypes. This study assessed five behaviors of feed and water intake using individual animal records and identified significant single nucleotide polymorphisms for these behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Michael R. Nystrom, Adesola Odunayo, Chika C. Okafor
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Johanna Muurinen, Johannes Cairns, John Eddie Ekakoro, Carmen L. Wickware, Audrey Ruple, Timothy A. Johnson
Summary: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections has become a global public health crisis. Along with reducing antimicrobial use, a multifaceted approach is required to effectively reduce antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture due to other environmental factors and reliance on antimicrobials in human healthcare and agriculture. This article explores a comprehensive approach to target antimicrobial resistance in agroecosystems, drawing parallels from the management of infectious diseases and biodiversity loss. The authors propose a framework based on nested biological units and discuss established or innovative strategies to address each unit.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chika C. Okafor, John E. Ekakoro, Marc Caldwell, Elizabeth B. Strand
Summary: Understanding producers' emotional views towards antimicrobial use practices is important for making future behavioral changes and reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance challenge. A study was conducted with beef and dairy cattle producers in Tennessee to assess their emotional experiences regarding responsible antimicrobial use. The findings suggest that producers have deep connections to animals and take pride in their products, but also feel distress when consumers misunderstand their practices. Improving awareness and transparency can help address these emotional concerns and promote better stewardship in antimicrobial use practices.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John E. Ekakoro, G. Kenitra Hendrix, Lynn F. Guptill, Audrey Ruple
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the proportion and temporal patterns of antimicrobial susceptible E. coli in canine specimens, and investigate their associations with host factors and antimicrobial use. The results showed a significant decreasing trend in susceptibility of E. coli to several beta-lactam antimicrobials. Multivariable regression analysis identified significant associations between age, breed, sample isolation site/source, and antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Microbiology
John E. Ekakoro, Arnold Lubega, Edrine B. Kayaga, Dickson Ndoboli, Andrew P. Bluhm, Eddie M. Wampande, Jason K. Blackburn, Karyn A. Havas, Michael H. Norris
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Burkholderia pseudomallei in slaughtered pigs in central Uganda and found a higher seroprevalence during the rainy months. There is a need for public awareness campaigns about melioidosis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
John E. Ekakoro, Lynn F. Guptill, G. Kenitra Hendrix, Lauren Dorsey, Audrey Ruple
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis that threatens the health of humans and animals. This study established procedures for using freshwater mussels as a surveillance method for detecting microbes with AMR in Indiana waterways. The results showed a high prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria in the mussels, which warrants further investigation to determine the source of these bacterial species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
John E. Ekakoro, Lynn Guptill, Kenitra Hendrix, Melinda Anderson, Audrey Ruple
Summary: Non-judicious antimicrobial use in veterinary hospitals in the United States is limited, and there are no guidelines or standardized methods for constructing antibiograms in veterinary clinical settings. This article describes the methods used to construct antibiograms from clinical samples collected from dogs seen at a veterinary teaching hospital. The approaches described could be useful in guiding veterinary antibiogram development for empiric therapy.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Shamim Sarkar, Marcy J. Souza, Tomas Martin-Jimenez, Mohamed A. Abouelkhair, Stephen A. Kania, Chika C. Okafor
Summary: The study measured antibiotic residues in antibiotic-free products sold at farmers' markets in East Tennessee. It found that all tested food products contained varying levels of antibiotic residues, but the median concentrations were below the maximum residue levels set in the U.S. for beef and eggs, indicating that these products are considered safe for consumption. However, no residue limit has been set for honey products, and further research is needed to determine the source of the residues in these foods.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Chika C. Okafor, Francisco A. Uzal, Caitlin M. Culligan, Kim M. Newkirk
Summary: Blackleg, caused by Clostridium chauvoei, is a common cause of death in young cattle. Previously, heart lesions were believed to be uncommon in blackleg cases, but a study in 2018 reported otherwise. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of heart lesions in blackleg cases in Tennessee, USA. The University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center database was searched for blackleg cases between 2004 and 2018, and histology slides of skeletal muscle and the heart were reviewed. Of the 37 blackleg cases identified, 26 (70.3%) had heart lesions, indicating that cardiac involvement in blackleg cases is more common than traditionally believed.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shamim Sarkar, Chika Okafor
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rule changes on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in retail meats in the U.S. The results show that the VFD rule changes significantly reduced the presence of tetracycline-resistant and erythromycin-resistant bacteria in chicken and ground turkey. However, there was no significant change in antibiotic resistance in ground beef or pork chops. Ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use can complement the implementation of stewardship measures like the VFD rule in food-producing animals in the U.S.
Article
Microbiology
Rodney Okwasiimire, Joseph F. Flint, Edrine B. Kayaga, Steven Lakin, Jim Pierce, Roger W. Barrette, Bonto Faburay, Dickson Ndoboli, John E. Ekakoro, Eddie M. Wampande, Karyn A. Havas
Summary: Blood samples from pigs in Uganda were collected and tested for African swine fever virus. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the isolates belonged to genotype IX and had certain genetic variations. The sequencing data provide valuable information on viral evolution and the impact of gene changes on disease phenotypes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chika C. Okafor, Samantha L. Collins, Joseph A. Daniel, Johann F. Coetzee, Brian K. Whitlock
Summary: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the seroprevalence of bovine anaplasmosis (BA) in North Carolina, USA. Analyzing records from the North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System (NCVDLS) and a slaughter survey, the estimated true seroprevalence of BA was 9.83%, with cattle type, year, and season being associated with BA. The NCVDLS records, compared to the active survey, may overestimate the seroprevalence of BA and should be used cautiously for surveillance in North Carolina.
APPLIED ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Lee Spence, David E. Anderson, Ibrahim Halil Aslan, Mahir Demir, Chika C. Okafor, Marcy Souza, Suzanne Lenhart
Summary: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) adapted its services to curb the virus spread while ensuring essential veterinary care. They developed a mathematical model to forecast the impact of increased contact within the hospital on COVID-19 infections. The model used data from surrounding areas and UTCVM personnel to estimate key transmission rates. Simulations indicated a rise in COVID-19 cases among staff with an influx of clients and veterinary personnel. The study emphasized the importance of understanding reopening scenarios in veterinary teaching hospitals.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
John Eddie Ekakoro, Chika C. Okafor
VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2019)