Zoonotic and genetically diverse subtypes of Blastocystis in US pre-weaned dairy heifer calves.

Blastocystis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with global distribution. However, limited data exist on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in the USA and in food animals. We conducted the first large-scale molecular investigation of Blastocystis in the USA by testing 2539 fecal samples from dairy heifer calves from 13 states. Blastocystis was detected in 73 (2.9%) fecal samples and in 10 of the 13 tested states. Molecular characterization showed a wide diversity of subtypes. Eleven subtypes were identified, seven previously reported (ST-3, ST-4, ST-5, ST-10, ST-14, ST-17, and ST-21) and four potentially novel subtypes (named ST-23 to ST-26). Zoonotic subtypes 3, 4, and 5 were found in 67% (49) of the positive specimens in this population. Our results suggest that cattle could serve as reservoirs of infection for humans and other domestic animals highlighting the potential risk of zoonotic transmission for Blastocystis.

Teaching Tip: Teaching Animal Welfare through Competitive Judging Contests.

Animal welfare is an important aspect of veterinary responsibility, yet the current curriculum at many US veterinary schools provides little training in this field. The Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment Contest provides an opportunity for students to learn about general principles of animal welfare, challenging them to apply critical reasoning skills in a competitive environment. Here we provide an overview of the contest and an example of how Colorado State University educates and prepares its students.

Assessing stakeholders' opinions on sharing antimicrobial susceptibility testing data from animals is key to developing a centralized database and dashboard tool.

OBJECTIVE: To present, analyze, and discuss stakeholders' opinions regarding sharing antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data from animals into a centralized database and dashboard tool that would collect, aggregate, store, and analyze this type of data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) across the country. SAMPLE: 1 in-person focus group (9 participants), 9 virtual focus groups (49 participants), and online pre- and postmeeting surveys (76 and 35 participants, respectively). METHODS: Focus groups and surveys were conducted to assess the opinions of veterinarians, producers, researchers, diagnosticians, and government officials. RESULTS: A strong majority of stakeholders recognize AMR as a serious concern for both human and animal health and see several benefits in establishing a centralized AMR database; however, several concerns were raised associated with data confidentiality, security, curation, and harmonization. In the interest of alleviating those concerns, among other items, stakeholders suggested education and training of data users, providers, and the public in addition to assuring strong data confidentiality protections. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stakeholder engagement is a critical component of all stages of development, implementation, and utilization of an AMR database and dashboard tool that could be used to inform antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary medicine. This assessment of stakeholders' needs and concerns can be used to help guide future recommendations for data legal protections as well as a data confidentiality and security framework. Maintaining open communication on data usage, storage, and security as well as involvement and education of data providers, users, and the public will remain key to enabling development of an AMR database and dashboard tool for domesticated animals.

Enhanced detection of Giardia duodenalis mixed assemblage infections in pre-weaned dairy calves using next generation sequencing.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common parasitic causes of gastrointestinal illness in humans worldwide with widespread infections in mammalian hosts. It frequently infects cattle, producing a high number of cysts. Cattle can harbor both host-adapted assemblage E and human pathogenic assemblages A and B. Previous studies have demonstrated that conventional molecular methods lack the sensitivity required for detecting mixed infections and that the occurrence of mixed infections in cattle are likely underestimated. To investigate the presence of mixed assemblage infections in cattle, 2539 pre-weaned dairy calves from the United Stated were screened for the presence of G. duodenalis using molecular tools. Next generation amplicon sequencing (NGS) was then performed for a subset of around 30% of positive samples (n = 314) and the ability of NGS and Sanger sequencing to detect mixed assemblage infections was compared. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in pre-weaned dairy calves in the sample using PCR was high (1013/2539; 39.9%). Molecular genotyping identified only assemblage A and E, with assemblage E as the predominant assemblage. Out of the 314 samples examined by both Sanger and NGS, 9 samples (2.9%) were identified as mixed A/E infections by Sanger while NGS identified 56 samples (17.8%), which was six-times more mixed infections compared with Sanger sequencing. NGS demonstrated superior sensitivity to Sanger in detecting assemblages present in low abundances. The percentage of mixed A/E infections found in the sampled dairy calves was higher than was hypothesized using values from the literature. This underestimation could be present in the wider cattle population as well, though further exploration would be needed to verify that claim. These findings highlight the advantages of NGS application in molecular epidemiological studies of Giardia. To better understand Giardia epidemiology, establish routes of transmission, and assess the potential role of cattle and other animals as a source of environmental contamination with zoonotic assemblages it is necessary to uncover mixed assemblage infections.

Survey of animal welfare, animal behavior, and animal ethics courses in the curricula of AVMA Council on Education-accredited veterinary colleges and schools.

OBJECTIVE To explore the extent to which veterinary colleges and schools accredited by the AVMA Council on Education (COE) have incorporated specific courses related to animal welfare, behavior, and ethics. DESIGN Survey and curriculum review. SAMPLE All 49 AVMA COE-accredited veterinary colleges and schools (institutions). PROCEDURES The study consisted of 2 parts. In part 1, a survey regarding animal welfare, behavior, and ethics was emailed to the associate dean of academic affairs at all 49 AVMA COE-accredited institutions. In part 2, the curricula for the 30 AVMA COE-accredited institutions in the United States were reviewed for courses on animal behavior, ethics, and welfare. RESULTS Seventeen of 49 (35%) institutions responded to the survey of part 1, of which 10 offered a formal animal welfare course, 9 offered a formal animal behavior course, 8 offered a formal animal ethics course, and 5 offered a combined animal welfare, behavior, and ethics course. The frequency with which courses on animal welfare, behavior, and ethics were offered differed between international and US institutions. Review of the curricula for the 30 AVMA COE-accredited US institutions revealed that 6 offered a formal course on animal welfare, 22 offered a formal course on animal behavior, and 18 offered a formal course on animal ethics. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that AVMA COE-accredited institutions need to provide more formal education on animal welfare, behavior, and ethics so veterinarians can be advocates for animals and assist with behavioral challenges.