ABSTRACT
AIMS: Contact with backyard poultry (i.e., privately-owned, non-commercial poultry) was first associated with a multistate outbreak of salmonellosis in 1955. In recent years, backyard poultry-associated salmonellosis outbreaks have caused more illnesses in the United States than salmonellosis outbreaks linked to any other type of animal. Here, we describe the epidemiology of outbreaks from 2015-2022 to inform prevention efforts. METHODS AND RESULTS: During 2015-2022, there were 88 multistate backyard poultry-associated salmonellosis outbreaks and 7866 outbreak-associated illnesses caused by 21 different Salmonella serotypes. Salmonella Enteritidis accounted for the most outbreaks (n = 21) and illnesses (n = 2400) of any serotype. Twenty-four percent (1840/7727) of patients with available information were <5 years of age. In total, 30% (1710/5644) of patients were hospitalized, and nine deaths were attributed to Salmonella infection. Throughout this period, patients reported behaviours that have a higher risk of Salmonella transmission, including kissing or snuggling poultry or allowing poultry inside their home. CONCLUSIONS: Despite ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of salmonellosis associated with backyard poultry, outbreak-associated illnesses have nearly tripled and hospitalizations more than quadrupled compared with those in 1990-2014. Because this public health problem is largely preventable, government officials, human and veterinary healthcare providers, hatcheries, and retailers might improve the prevention of illnesses by widely disseminating health and safety recommendations to the public and by continuing to develop and implement prevention measures to reduce zoonotic transmission of Salmonella by backyard poultry.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Poultry Diseases , Poultry , Salmonella Infections, Animal , Salmonella Infections , Animals , United States/epidemiology , Humans , Salmonella Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella Infections/microbiology , Salmonella Infections, Animal/epidemiology , Salmonella Infections, Animal/microbiology , Poultry Diseases/epidemiology , Poultry Diseases/microbiology , Poultry/microbiology , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Child , Salmonella/isolation & purification , Adult , Male , Young Adult , Female , Infant , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Enteric bacterial infections are common among people who travel internationally. During 2017-2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated 41 multistate outbreaks of nontyphoidal Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli linked to international travel. Resistance to one or more antimicrobial agents was detected in at least 10% of isolates in 16 of 30 (53%) nontyphoidal Salmonella outbreaks and 8 of 11 (73%) Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreaks evaluated by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. At least 10% of the isolates in 14 nontyphoidal Salmonella outbreaks conferred resistance to one or more of the clinically significant antimicrobials used in human medicine. This report describes the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns of these travel-associated multistate outbreaks. Investigating illnesses among returned travellers and collaboration with international partners could result in the implementation of public health interventions to improve hygiene practices and food safety standards and to prevent illness and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms domestically and internationally.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Escherichia coli Infections , Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli , Humans , United States/epidemiology , Travel , Escherichia coli Infections/epidemiology , Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology , Salmonella , Disease OutbreaksABSTRACT
We identified 2 cases of Salmonella enterica serovar Vitkin infection linked by whole-genome sequencing in infants in Ontario, Canada, during 2022. Both households of the infants reported having bearded dragons as pets. The outbreak strain was also isolated from an environmental sample collected from a patient's bearded dragon enclosure. Twelve cases were detected in the United States, and onset dates occurred during March 2021-September 2022 (isolates related to isolates from Canada within 0-9 allele differences by core-genome multilocus sequence typing). Most US patients (66.7%) were <1 year of age, and most (72.7%) had reported bearded dragon exposure. Hospitalization was reported for 5 (38.5%) of 13 patients. Traceback of bearded dragons identified at least 1 potential common supplier in Southeast Asia. Sharing rare serovar information and whole-genome sequencing data between Canada and the United States can assist in timely identification of outbreaks, including those that might not be detected through routine surveillance.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Salmonella , Infant , Animals , Humans , United States/epidemiology , Ontario , Alleles , Disease Outbreaks , HospitalizationABSTRACT
Tap water is not sterile, and its use in home medical devices can result in infections from waterborne pathogens. However, many participants in a recent survey in the United States said tap water could safely be used for home medical devices. These results can inform communication materials to reduce the high consequence of infections.
Subject(s)
Perception , Water , Humans , United States , Surveys and Questionnaires , Water Supply , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
During June 2017-November 2019, a total 36 patients with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona-integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase were identified in a city in western Texas, USA. A faucet contaminated with the organism, identified through environmental sampling, in a specialty care room was the likely source for infection in a subset of patients.
Subject(s)
Pseudomonas Infections , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Carbapenems/pharmacology , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy , Pseudomonas Infections/epidemiology , Renal Dialysis , Water Supply , beta-Lactamases/geneticsABSTRACT
Tap water that is safe to consume may cause respiratory illness (e.g., Legionnaires' disease) when water conditions allow for proliferation and aerosolization of biofilm-associated pathogens. This study assessed household tap water consumption, exposure to aerosolized tap water, and associated demographics. A nationally representative FallStyles survey administered by Porter Novelli Public Services was sent to 4,677 US adult panelists in October 2019. There were 3,624 adults who completed the survey (77.5% response rate). Respondents were asked about self-reported use of household tap water for consumption (i.e., drinking, rinsing produce, or making ice) and use through water-aerosolizing devices (e.g., showerheads, humidifiers). Demographics included gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, region, and health status. Weighted analyses using complex sample survey procedures were used to assess tap water exposure by route and demographics. Most US adults are exposed to aerosolized tap water through showering (80.6%), and one in five are exposed through other water-aerosolizing devices (20.3%). Consumption and showering were greatest among older, White, higher educated, and higher-income adults. Aerosolized tap water can transmit waterborne pathogens and cause respiratory illness, especially among older age groups and people with weakened immune systems. These results will help target health messages for using water-aerosolizing devices safely.
Subject(s)
Drinking Water , Legionnaires' Disease , Adult , Aged , Demography , Humans , Income , Water SupplyABSTRACT
Provision of safe drinking water in the United States is a great public health achievement. However, new waterborne disease challenges have emerged (e.g., aging infrastructure, chlorine-tolerant and biofilm-related pathogens, increased recreational water use). Comprehensive estimates of the health burden for all water exposure routes (ingestion, contact, inhalation) and sources (drinking, recreational, environmental) are needed. We estimated total illnesses, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, deaths, and direct healthcare costs for 17 waterborne infectious diseases. About 7.15 million waterborne illnesses occur annually (95% credible interval [CrI] 3.88 million-12.0 million), results in 601,000 ED visits (95% CrI 364,000-866,000), 118,000 hospitalizations (95% CrI 86,800-150,000), and 6,630 deaths (95% CrI 4,520-8,870) and incurring US $3.33 billion (95% CrI 1.37 billion-8.77 billion) in direct healthcare costs. Otitis externa and norovirus infection were the most common illnesses. Most hospitalizations and deaths were caused by biofilm-associated pathogens (nontuberculous mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, Legionella), costing US $2.39 billion annually.
Subject(s)
Communicable Diseases , Waterborne Diseases , Communicable Diseases/epidemiology , Health Care Costs , Hospitalization , Humans , United States/epidemiology , Water Microbiology , Waterborne Diseases/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Illnesses transmitted by food and water cause a major disease burden in the United States despite advancements in food safety, water treatment, and sanitation. We report estimates from a structured expert judgment study using 48 experts who applied Cooke's classical model of the proportion of disease attributable to 5 major transmission pathways (foodborne, waterborne, person-to-person, animal contact, and environmental) and 6 subpathways (food handler-related, under foodborne; recreational, drinking, and nonrecreational/nondrinking, under waterborne; and presumed person-to-person-associated and presumed animal contact-associated, under environmental). Estimates for 33 pathogens were elicited, including bacteria such as Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter spp., Legionella spp., and Pseudomonas spp.; protozoa such as Acanthamoeba spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Naegleria fowleri; and viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A virus. The results highlight the importance of multiple pathways in the transmission of the included pathogens and can be used to guide prioritization of public health interventions.
Subject(s)
Foodborne Diseases , Animals , Food Microbiology , Food Safety , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Judgment , United States/epidemiology , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Giardiasis is the most common intestinal parasitic disease of humans identified in the United States (US) and an important waterborne disease. In the United States, giardiasis has been variably reportable since 1992 and was made a nationally notifiable disease in 2002. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology of US giardiasis cases from 1995 through 2016 using National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System data. METHODS: Negative binomial regression models were used to compare incidence rates by age group (0-4, 5-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64, and ≥ 65 years) during 3 time periods (1995-2001, 2002-2010, and 2011-2016). RESULTS: During 1995-2016, the average number of reported cases was 19 781 per year (range, 14 623-27 778 cases). The annual incidence of reported giardiasis in the United States decreased across all age groups. This decrease differs by age group and sex and may reflect either changes in surveillance methods (eg, changes to case definitions or reporting practices) or changes in exposure. Incidence rates in males and older age groups did not decrease to the same extent as rates in females and children. CONCLUSIONS: Trends suggest that differences in exposures by sex and age group are important to the epidemiology of giardiasis. Further investigation into the risk factors of populations with higher rates of giardiasis will support prevention and control efforts.
Subject(s)
Giardiasis , Aged , Child , Female , Giardiasis/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Models, Statistical , Population Surveillance , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In June 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) was notified of multiple norovirus outbreaks associated with 179 ill individuals who attended separate events held at an outdoor venue and campground over a month period. Epidemiologic investigations were unable to identify a single exposure route and therefore unable to determine whether there was a persistent contamination source to target for exposure mitigation. Norovirus was detected in a fresh recreational water designated swimming area and a drinking water well. A hydrogeological site evaluation suggested a nearby septic leach field as a potential contamination source via ground water infiltration. Geological characterization revealed a steep dip of the bedrock beneath the septic leach field toward the well, providing a viral transport pathway in a geologic medium not previously documented as high risk for viral ground water contamination. The human-associated microbial source tracking (MST) genetic marker, HF183, was used as a microbial tracer to demonstrate the hydrogeological connection between the malfunctioning septic system, drinking water well, and recreational water area. Based on environmental investigation findings, venue management and local public health officials implemented a series of outbreak prevention strategies including discontinuing the use of the contaminated well, issuing a permit for a new drinking water well, increasing portable toilet and handwashing station availability, and promoting proper hand hygiene. Despite the outbreaks at the venue and evidence of ground water contamination impacting nearby recreational water and the drinking water well, no new norovirus cases were reported during a large event one week after implementing prevention practices. This investigation highlights a new application for human-associated MST methods to trace hydrological connections between multiple fecal pollutant exposure routes in an outbreak scenario. In turn, pollutant source information can be used to develop effective intervention practices to mitigate exposure and prevent future outbreaks associated with human fecal contaminated waters.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Norovirus/isolation & purification , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Water Microbiology , Waterborne Diseases/virology , Bacteriophage Typing , Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Feces , Fresh Water/microbiology , Fresh Water/virology , Genotype , Groundwater/virology , Humans , Microbiological Techniques , Norovirus/genetics , Pennsylvania/epidemiology , Water Pollution , Waterborne Diseases/microbiologyABSTRACT
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an RNA virus primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route and, in rare cases, causes liver failure and death in infected persons. Although drinking water-associated hepatitis A outbreaks in the United States are rarely reported (1), HAV was the most commonly reported etiology for outbreaks associated with untreated ground water during 1971-2008 (2), and HAV can remain infectious in water for months (3). This report analyzes drinking water-associated hepatitis A outbreaks reported to the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS) during 1971-2017. During that period, 32 outbreaks resulting in 857 cases were reported, all before 2010. Untreated ground water was associated with 23 (72%) outbreaks, resulting in 585 (68.3%) reported cases. Reported outbreaks significantly decreased after introduction of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) hepatitis A vaccination recommendations* and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) public ground water system regulations. Individual water systems, which are not required to meet national drinking water standards,§ were the only contaminated drinking water systems to cause the last four reported hepatitis A outbreaks during 1995-2009. No waterborne outbreaks were reported during 2009-2017. Water testing and treatment are important considerations to protect persons who use these unregulated systems from HAV infection.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Drinking Water/virology , Hepatitis A/epidemiology , Hepatitis A/prevention & control , Public Health Practice , Government Regulation , Hepatitis A Vaccines/administration & dosage , Humans , Program Evaluation , United States/epidemiology , United States Environmental Protection Agency , Water Supply/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Reminders for influenza vaccination improve influenza vaccination coverage. The purpose of this study was to describe the receipt of reminders for influenza vaccination during the 2011-12 influenza season among US adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from the March 2012 National Flu Survey (NFS), a random digit dial telephone survey of adults in the United States. Relative to July 1, 2011, respondents were asked whether they received a reminder for influenza vaccination and the source and type of reminder they received. The association between reminder receipt and demographic variables, and the association between influenza vaccination coverage and receipt of reminders were also examined. RESULTS: Of adults interviewed, 17.2% reported receiving a reminder since July 1, 2011. More than half (65.2%) of the reminders were sent by doctor offices. Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to report receiving a reminder. Adults who reported having a usual healthcare provider, health insurance, or a high-risk condition were more likely to report receiving reminders than the respective reference group. Adults reporting receipt of reminders were 1.15 times more likely (adjusted prevalence ratio, 95% CI: 1.06-1.25) to report being vaccinated for influenza than adults reporting not receiving reminders. CONCLUSIONS: Differences exist in receipt of influenza vaccination reminders among adults. Reminders are important tools to improve adult influenza vaccination coverage. Greater use of reminders may lead to higher rates of adult influenza vaccination coverage and reductions in influenza-related morbidity.
Subject(s)
Health Services Research , Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Reminder Systems , Vaccination Coverage/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
Provision of safe water in the United States is vital to protecting public health (1). Public health agencies in the U.S. states and territories* report information on waterborne disease outbreaks to CDC through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) (https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/surveillance/index.html). During 2013-2014, 42 drinking water-associated outbreaks were reported, accounting for at least 1,006 cases of illness, 124 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths. Legionella was associated with 57% of these outbreaks and all of the deaths. Sixty-nine percent of the reported illnesses occurred in four outbreaks in which the etiology was determined to be either a chemical or toxin or the parasite Cryptosporidium. Drinking water contamination events can cause disruptions in water service, large impacts on public health, and persistent community concern about drinking water quality. Effective water treatment and regulations can protect public drinking water supplies in the United States, and rapid detection, identification of the cause, and response to illness reports can reduce the transmission of infectious pathogens and harmful chemicals and toxins.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Drinking Water , Population Surveillance , Waterborne Diseases/epidemiology , Humans , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Provider recommendations and offers for influenza vaccination improve adult influenza vaccination coverage. Analysis was performed to describe receipt of influenza vaccination recommendations and offers among adults who visited a healthcare provider (HCP) during the 2011-2012 influenza season and describe differences between those receiving and not receiving recommendations and offers for influenza vaccination. Associations between influenza vaccination and receipt of recommendations and offers were examined. METHODS: Respondents to a random digit dial telephone survey who had visited a HCP since July 1, 2011 were asked if they had received a recommendation for influenza vaccination. Those receiving a recommendation were asked if they received an offer for vaccination. Participants were characterized by demographic and access to health care variables. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between participant characteristics and recommendation alone, between participant characteristics and recommendation and offer, and between influenza vaccination and recommendation and offer. RESULTS: Of those who reported visiting a HCP, 43.8% reported receiving a recommendation for influenza vaccination. Of those who reported receiving a recommendation, 76.6% reported receiving an offer for influenza vaccination. Persons with high-risk conditions and persons over 65 years were more likely to receive recommendations for influenza vaccination when compared to those without high-risk conditions and 18-49 year olds, respectively. Those reporting receipt of a recommendation and offer for influenza vaccination were 1.76 times more likely and those reporting receipt of a recommendation but no offer were 1.72 times more likely to report being vaccinated for influenza controlling for all patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of respondents reported receipt of recommendations and offers of influenza vaccination during the 2011-2012 influenza season and disparities exist between groups. All healthcare providers seeing adults should recommend or offer influenza vaccination for all patients at every visit during the influenza season.
Subject(s)
Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Vaccination Coverage , Vaccination , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Population Surveillance , Seasons , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to investigate the associations between exposures to antimicrobial drugs (AMDs) and AMR in fecal non-type specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC) recovered from a large population of feedlot cattle. Two-stage random sampling was used to select individually identified cattle for enrollment, which were sampled at arrival and then a second time later in the feeding period. Advanced regression techniques were used to estimate resistance prevalences, and to investigate associations between AMD exposures in enrolled cattle and penmates and AMR identified in NTSEC recovered from the second sample set. Resistance was most commonly detected to tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfisoxazole, and was rarely identified for critically important AMDs. All cattle were exposed to AMDs in feed, and 45% were treated parenterally. While resistance prevalence generally increased during the feeding period, most AMD exposures were not significantly associated with AMR outcomes. Exposures of enrolled cattle to tetracycline were associated with increased resistance to tetracycline and trimethoprim sulfa, while beta-lactam exposures were associated with decreased likelihood of detecting streptomycin resistance. Pen-level AMD exposure measures were not associated with resistance outcomes. These findings suggest that tetracycline treatment of feedlot cattle can be associated with modest increases in risk for recovery of resistant NTSEC, but the numerous treatments with an advanced macrolide (tulathromycin) were not associated with detectable increases in resistance in NTSEC. All cattle were exposed to in-feed treatments of tetracycline and this could limit the ability to identify the full impact of these exposures, but these exposures varied for enrolled cattle varied, providing an opportunity to evaluate a dose response. While AMD exposures were not associated with detectably increased risks for resistance to critically important AMDs, rare resistance outcomes and infrequent exposure to other important AMDs (e.g., cephalosporins) limited our ability to rigorously investigate questions regarding factors that can influence resistance to these important AMDs.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Cattle , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Escherichia coli/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to objectively compare methodological approaches that might be utilized in designing an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance program in beef feedlot cattle. Specifically, four separate comparisons were made to investigate their potential impact on estimates for prevalence of AMR. These included investigating potential differences between 2 different susceptibility testing methods (broth microdilution and disc diffusion), between 2 different target bacteria (non-type-specific E. coli [NTSEC] and Mannheimia haemolytica), between 2 strategies for sampling feces (individual samples collected per rectum and pooled samples collected from the pen floor), and between 2 strategies for determining which cattle to sample (cattle that were culture-positive for Mannheimia haemolytica and those that were culture-negative). RESULTS: Comparing two susceptibility testing methods demonstrated differences in the likelihood of detecting resistance between automated disk diffusion (BioMIC®) and broth microdilution (Sensititre®) for both E. coli and M. haemolytica. Differences were also detected when comparing resistance between two bacterial organisms within the same cattle; there was a higher likelihood of detecting resistance in E. coli than in M. haemolytica. Differences in resistance prevalence were not detected when using individual animal or composite pen sampling strategies. No differences in resistance prevalences were detected in E. coli recovered from cattle that were culture-positive for M. haemolytica compared to those that were culture-negative, suggesting that sampling strategies which targeted recovery of E. coli from M. haemolytica-positive cattle would not provide biased results. CONCLUSIONS: We found that for general purposes, the susceptibility test selected for AMR surveillance must be carefully chosen considering the purpose of the surveillance since the ability to detect resistance appears to vary between these tests depending upon the population where they are applied. Continued surveillance of AMR in M. haemolytica recovered by nasopharyngeal swab is recommended if monitoring an animal health pathogen is an objective of the surveillance program as results of surveillance using fecal E. coli cannot be extrapolated to this important respiratory pathogen. If surveillance of E. coli was pursued in the same population, study populations could target animals that were culture-positive for M. haemolytica without biasing estimates for AMR in E. coli. Composite pen-floor sampling or sampling of individuals per-rectum could possibly be used interchangeably for monitoring resistance in E. coli.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/drug therapy , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/veterinary , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Cattle/microbiology , Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Cattle Diseases/microbiology , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests/methods , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests/veterinary , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy , Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology , Escherichia coli Infections/veterinary , Indicator Dilution Techniques/veterinary , Mannheimia haemolytica/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methods , Pasteurellaceae Infections/drug therapy , Pasteurellaceae Infections/microbiology , Pasteurellaceae Infections/veterinary , PrevalenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The presence of indistinguishable strains of Clostridium difficile in humans, food animals and food, as well as the apparent emergence of the food-animal-associated ribotype 078/toxinotype V as a cause of community-associated C. difficile infection have created concerns about the potential for foodborne infection. While studies have reported C. difficile in calves, studies of cattle closer to the age of harvest are required. Four commercial feedlots in Alberta (Canada) were enrolled for this study. Fecal samples were collected at the time of arrival and after acclimation (< 62, 62-71 or > 71 days on feed). Selective culture for Clostridium difficile was performed, and isolates were characterized by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A logistic regression model was built to investigate the effect of exposure to antimicrobial drugs on the presence of C. difficile. RESULTS: Clostridium difficile was isolated from 18 of 539 animals at the time of feedlot arrival (CI = 2.3-6.1) and from 18 of 335 cattle at mid-feeding period (CI = 2.9-13.1). Overall, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of C. difficile shedding on arrival versus mid-feeding period (P = 0.47). No association between shedding of the bacterium and antimicrobial administration was found (P = 0.33). All the isolates recovered were ribotype 078, a toxinotype V strain with genes encoding toxins A, B and CDT. In addition, all strains were classified as NAP7 by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and had the characteristic 39 base pairs deletion and upstream truncating mutation on the tcdC gene. CONCLUSIONS: It is apparent that C. difficile is carried in the intestinal tracts of a small percentage of feedlot cattle arriving and later in the feeding period and that ribotype 078/NAP7 is the dominant strain in these animals. Herd management practices associated with C. difficile shedding were not identified, however further studies of the potential role of antimicrobials on C. difficile acquisition and shedding are required.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/microbiology , Clostridioides difficile/classification , Clostridioides difficile/isolation & purification , Clostridium Infections/veterinary , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Bacterial Infections/veterinary , Bacterial Shedding , Cattle , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Housing, AnimalABSTRACT
Accurate antimicrobial drug use data are needed to enlighten discussions regarding the impact of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceived accuracy and clarity of different methods for reporting antimicrobial drug use information collected regarding beef feedlots. Producers, veterinarians, industry representatives, public health officials, and other knowledgeable beef industry leaders were invited to complete a web-based survey. A total of 156 participants in 33 US states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 8 other countries completed the survey. No single metric was considered universally optimal for all use circumstances or for all audiences. To effectively communicate antimicrobial drug use data, evaluation of the target audience is critical to presenting the information. Metrics that are most accurate need to be carefully and repeatedly explained to the audience.
RésuméParamètres pour quantifier l'utilisation des antimicrobiens dans les parcs d'engraissement des bovins. Des données exactes sur l'utilisation des antimicrobiens sont nécessaires pour documenter les discussions concernant l'impact des médicaments antibiotiques en agriculture. L'objectif primaire de cette étude était d'examiner l'exactitude et la clarté perçues des différentes méthodes utilisées pour les rapports sur la collecte d'information relative à l'utilisation des antimicrobiens dans les parcs d'engraissement. Les producteurs, les vétérinaires, les représentants de l'industrie, les responsables de la santé publique et d'autres leaders informés du secteur de l'élevage bovin ont été invités à remplir un sondage sur le Web. Un total de 156 participants dans 33 États américains, 4 provinces canadiennes et 8 autres pays ont répondu au sondage. Aucun paramètre unique n'était considéré universellement optimal pour toutes les circonstances d'utilisation ou pour tous les publics. Afin de communiquer efficacement les données concernant l'utilisation des antimicrobiens, l'évaluation du public cible est critique pour la présentation de l'information. Les paramètres les plus exacts doivent être expliqués en détail et à plusieurs reprises au public.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).