Article
Veterinary Sciences
Carsten Kirkeby, Tariq Halasa, Michael Farre, Galal Nazih Chehabi, Kaare Graesboll
Summary: This study investigated the transmission dynamics of Corynebacterium spp. in two Danish dairy cattle herds. It was found that these bacteria can be prevalent within the herd and transmit directly between cows. The study highlighted the importance of researching cost-effective control measures against Corynebacterium spp.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denis Mongin, Nils Buergisser, Gustavo Laurie, Guillaume Schimmel, Diem-Lan Vu, Stephane Cullati, Delphine Sophie Courvoisier
Summary: The immunity conferred by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and infections reduces the transmission of the virus, mainly by protecting contacts from infection. Natural infection provides the strongest immunity, while the reduction in infectiousness due to vaccination is less affected by time and new variants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Anastasia N. Vlasova, Linda J. Saif
Summary: The growing world population has put increasing pressure on the cattle industry, with the expansion of milk and beef production leading to greater risks of infectious diseases. Understanding cattle immune function is crucial for combating pathogens and improving food security.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yueming Lu, Wei Yang, Desheng Ji
Summary: This paper investigates the threshold-type dynamics of a diffusive herpes model with a fixed relapse period and nonlinear recovery rate, establishing the basic reproduction number R-0 for the model through the next generation operator approach. In a homogeneous case, the R-0 is explicitly calculated. By utilizing the principal eigenvalue of the associated eigenvalue problem or R-0, the threshold-type dynamics of the model is established, showing that the herpes will either go extinct or approach the epidemic value. Numerical simulations verify the theoretical results and explore the effects of spatial heterogeneity on disease transmission.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yoshinori Murato, Yoko Hayama, Yumiko Shimizu, Kotaro Sawai, Emi Yamaguchi, Takehisa Yamamoto
Summary: The study analyzed dairy cow movements in Japan, revealing regional and seasonal heterogeneity in the movements, reflecting the suitability of raising Holstein breed in Hokkaido and the shortage of supply of replacement heifers and available farming areas outside Hokkaido. Understanding these patterns will help develop reliable infectious disease models and effective control measures.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lisette M. C. Leliveld, Elisabetta Riva, Gabriele Mattachini, Alberto Finzi, Daniela Lovarelli, Giorgio Provolo
Summary: This study examines the impact of various factors on dairy cow behavior, including season, climate, time, and housing. The results show that behavior differs between daytime and nighttime during different seasons and that housing affects both behavior itself and its changes throughout the day.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Gustavo Monti, Victor Montes, Pablo Tortosa, Carlos Tejeda, Miguel Salgado
Summary: Pathogenic Leptospira bacteria are transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated water or soil. Cattle are known to shed different serovars, with Hardjo being the most common in cattle. The dynamics of pathogenic Leptospira shedding in naturally-infected dairy cows were studied and various intermittent urine shedding patterns and bacterial loads were identified. The study also found that vaccination does not prevent cattle infection, but does influence the loads of pathogenic leptospires shed in urine. This study enhances our understanding of asymptomatic animal carriers and will contribute to disease control and prevention strategies.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Floor Biemans, Jamie Tratalos, Sandie Arnoux, George Ramsbottom, Simon J. More, Pauline Ezanno
Summary: This study investigated the impact of observed herd characteristics on the spread of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) on a national scale in Ireland. The research found that the probability of introducing infected animals into a herd increases with a higher number of animals being traded and the number of herds from which animals are sourced. Herds that engage in both buying and selling a large number of animals pose the highest risk of infection to other herds.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lohendy Munoz-Vargas, Jessica A. Pempek, Kathryn Proudfoot, Maurice L. Eastridge, Paeivi J. Rajala-Schultz, Thomas Wittum, Gregory Habing
Summary: Stressful conditions in animal production facilities may exacerbate the fecal shedding and foodborne transmission of non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica. Dairy cows are reservoirs of this zoonotic microorganism, and its prevalence has roughly doubled in the past decade on dairy farms in United States. However, no studies have evaluated the impact of overstocking and metabolic stress on fecal concentrations of the pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christopher L. Siepker, Kent J. Schwartz, Tyler J. Feldhacker, Drew R. Magstadt, Orhan Sahin, Marcelo Almeida, Ganwu Li, Kristin P. Hayman, Patrick J. Gorden
Summary: This study investigated two separate late-term abortion outbreaks in Jersey heifers in July and December 2020. The abortions were caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Brandenburg infection, which is a previously unreported cause of abortion in dairy cattle in the United States. The study identified clinical signs and histopathological findings associated with the outbreak, as well as the genetic characteristics of the Salmonella strains.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lars Pedersen, Hans Houe, Erik Rattenborg, Liza Rosenbaum Nielsen
Summary: The importance of implementing protective measures is related to the size of cattle herds and the potential for external contact. With a larger herd, biosecurity becomes increasingly essential, especially for diseases like Salmonella Dublin that can survive in the environment. This study developed a framework and tool to assess the biosecurity measures in dairy herds to prevent the introduction and establishment of S. Dublin. The framework includes on-farm observations and farmer interviews and provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall biosecurity level.
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yue Liu, Ioannis Magouras, Wing-Cheong Lo
Summary: The study presents a transmission model and various control strategies for Neospora caninum infection, identifying potential disease elimination methods through analysis of reproduction number dynamics, and investigating the effectiveness of each control strategy in different environments. The findings offer guidance for decision-making regarding farm management of Neospora caninum infection.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
P. R. Menta, V. S. Machado, J. M. Pineiro, W. W. Thatcher, J. E. P. Santos, A. Vieira-Neto
Summary: The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the impact of heat stress exposure during the periparturient period on production, health, reproduction, and survival of dairy cows in the first 90 days postpartum. The results showed that postpartum heat stress had a greater negative effect on performance than pre-partum heat stress, and both nulliparous and parous cows were susceptible to losses associated with heat stress during the transition period.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ruan R. Daros, Daniel M. Weary, Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk
Summary: This review examines the prevalence of transition period diseases in dairy systems. The findings suggest that cows in both zero-grazing and grazing systems experience similar incidences of these diseases, with low body condition score and lameness being key manageable risks in both systems. Other risk factors identified include parity, breed, and seasonal variability in disease incidence. The study recommends considering the entire dry period in future research and encourages further investigation into intervention strategies during late lactation.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Mathematics
Sanubari Tansah Tresna, Subiyanto, Sudradjat Supian
Summary: This article explains and summarizes the published articles on the typhoid disease transmission model, providing insights into the transmission of Salmonella among humans and vectors and the effects of interventions on controlling the spread of typhoid disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nisha Bhattarai, Elumalai Pavadai, Rudramani Pokhrel, Prabin Baral, Md Lokman Hossen, Robert V. Stahelin, Prem P. Chapagain, Bernard S. Gerstman
Summary: The study investigates the molecular details of how EBOV VP40 binds with Sec24c protein, suggesting that VP40 may utilize the COPII transport mechanism without needing the Sec23 protein for transportation to the plasma membrane.
PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Cristina Lanzas, Manuel Jara, Rachel Tucker, Savannah Curtis
Summary: Mathematical and computational models for Clostridioides difficile transmission have been studied, highlighting the importance of asymptomatic colonized patients and evaluating interventions such as infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, active testing, and vaccination. Further research is needed on aspects such as community transmission and interventions in healthcare settings other than acute-care hospitals.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Morganne Igoe, Praachi Das, Suzanne Lenhart, Alun L. Lloyd, Lan Luong, Dajun Tian, Cristina Lanzas, Agricola Odoi
Summary: This study investigated geographic disparities and predictors of COVID-19 hospitalization risks in the St. Louis area. The results showed that COVID-19 hospitalization risks are influenced by socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related factors, with variations across different geographic locations. These findings are important for informing health planning and guiding vaccination efforts.
Article
Virology
Janelle Nunez-Castilla, Vitalii Stebliankin, Prabin Baral, Christian A. Balbin, Masrur Sobhan, Trevor Cickovski, Ananda Mohan Mondal, Giri Narasimhan, Prem Chapagain, Kalai Mathee, Jessica Siltberg-Liberles
Summary: Molecular mimicry between viral antigens and host proteins can lead to autoimmunity and COVID-19 complications. By using computational methods, we identified molecular mimicry hotspots in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Cross-reactivity between Spike and thrombopoietin may induce thrombocytopenia, while cross-reactivity with PRKG1 and tropomyosin may cause blood-clotting disorders and cardiac disease, respectively, in COVID-19 patients.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Robert Charles Schell, Ece Bulut, Hannah Padda, Amelia Greiner Safi, Paolo Moroni, Renata Ivanek
Summary: Concerns about antibiotic resistance have led to calls for reducing antibiotic use in livestock, including dairy cattle, in the United States. While universal organic farming would be impractical, a proposed alternative is to label milk with responsible antibiotic use (RAU), which minimizes antibiotics more than conventional milk and has better animal welfare than organic milk. However, consumers are unwilling to pay a significant premium for RAU-labeled milk compared to unlabeled milk, indicating a potential contradiction between consumer preferences and actual purchasing behavior.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Praachi Das, Morganne Igoe, Suzanne Lenhart, Lan Luong, Cristina Lanzas, Alun L. Lloyd, Agricola Odoi
Summary: This study investigates the geographic disparities of COVID-19 risk and the associations between COVID-19 risk and socioeconomic, demographic, movement, and chronic disease factors in the Greater St. Louis Area of Missouri. The results show that there are geographic disparities in COVID-19 risk, and these risks are associated with sociodemographic factors, population movements, and obesity hospitalization risks. The findings highlight the importance of considering these factors in controlling and preventing COVID-19.
Article
Microbiology
Bejan Mahmud, Meghan A. Wallace, Kimberly A. Reske, Kelly Alvarado, Carol E. Muenks, David A. Rasmussen, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Cristina Lanzas, Erik R. Dubberke, Gautam Dantas
Summary: ESBL-producing Escherichia coli is becoming increasingly prevalent, driven by the spread of ESBL-encoding plasmids. This study provides an in-depth genomic investigation of clinical ESBL-like E. coli isolates, revealing a comprehensive map of plasmid sharing across different boundaries. Through sequence-based network analysis, specific plasmid lineages responsible for disseminating major ESBLs have been identified. This work highlights the importance of plasmid-mediated spread in the dissemination of ESBLs and provides valuable insight into the factors underlying the increased prevalence of these genes in clinical settings.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria T. Brandl, Renata Ivanek, Ana Allende, Daniel S. Munther
Summary: Weather factors greatly influence bacterial behavior on plants, and a novel model based on weather factors and bacterial state was developed to predict population dynamics on leafy vegetables. The model accurately predicted population sizes of pathogenic E. coli and S. enterica on lettuce and cilantro leaves under various conditions. The model showed potential in predicting contamination risk in the field, highlighting the importance of weather-based models in ensuring microbial safety of produce. Rating: 9/10
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ashlan Jolley, William Love, Erin Frey, Cristina Lanzas
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens reduces the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs in human and veterinary medicine, emphasizing the importance of judicious antimicrobial use (AMU) in controlling AMR. This study aims to quantify the changes in antimicrobial prescribing practices for companion animals in an academic veterinary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing prescribing data, it was found that the pandemic significantly impacted the use of antimicrobials, with decreased prescription rates per week and per patient visit for certain drugs, while others showed increased rates.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Trevor S. Farthing, Ashlan Jolley, Katelin B. Nickel, Cherie Hill, Dustin Stwalley, Kimberly A. Reske, Jennie H. Kwon, Margaret A. Olsen, Jason P. Burnham, Erik R. Dubberke, Cristina Lanzas
Summary: This study compared the individual-level risk of hospital-onset infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in hospitalized patients prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the risk of acquiring MDRO infections increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for certain pathogens such as Acinetobacter spp., P. aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae spp., and MDRO S. aureus.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tej Sharma, Bernard Gerstman, Prem Chapagain
Summary: The XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron have structural changes that make it easier for the spike protein to bind to the ACE2 receptor. These mutations enhance the interaction between the receptor-binding domain and ACE2, and they also alter antibody-binding sites, potentially reducing the effectiveness of primary RBD-specific antibodies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Liton Chandra Deb, Manuel Jara, Cristina Lanzas
Summary: The US government has implemented guidance frameworks and recommendations to reduce antimicrobial use, but it has not yet led to substantial reductions in antimicrobial drug resistance.
Article
Ecology
Alexanderia Lacy, Morganne Igoe, Praachi Das, Trevor Farthing, Alun L. Lloyd, Cristina Lanzas, Agricola Odoi, Suzanne Lenhart
Summary: This study investigates the heterogeneity of COVID-19 cases, hospitalization, and vaccination coverage in the St. Louis region of Missouri. The impact of human mobility, vaccination, and time-varying transmission rates on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in five counties is examined. A COVID-19 model with ordinary differential equations is developed, and parameter estimation is performed using weekly data from 2021. The study predicts changes in disease spread under scenarios with increased vaccination coverage and utilizes local movement data to connect infection forces across different counties.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Kale Davies, Suzanne Lenhart, Judy Day, Alun L. Lloyd, Cristina Lanzas
Summary: In this study, a network model for environmentally-transmitted pathogens was constructed and the effects of different assumptions on the model were investigated. The results showed that relaxing restrictive assumptions can improve the accuracy of ordinary differential equation models and highlight errors caused by different assumptions.
MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
William J. Love, C. Annie Wang, Cristina Lanzas
Summary: This study aimed to identify patient-level characteristics associated with resistance phenotype variations in MRSA infections. Chain graphs were used to learn the resistance phenotypes from surveillance data, and correlations among resistance traits were considered. The results showed that certain phenotypic resistances had low connectivity to other outcomes or predictors, and levofloxacin susceptibility was associated with healthcare-associated infections. Blood culture was the most common predictor of MIC. Differences in resistance phenotypes were observed between patients with previous healthcare use or positive blood cultures, as well as between patients from different states.
JAC-ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
