ABSTRACT
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impacts of two modified-live virus (MLV) vaccination protocols and respiratory disease (BRD) occurrence on the microbial community composition of the nasopharynx in feedlot cattle. Methods: The treatment groups included in this randomized controlled trial included: 1) no viral respiratory vaccination (CON), 2) intranasal, trivalent, MLV respiratory vaccine in addition to a parenteral BVDV type I and II vaccine (INT), and 3) parenteral, pentavalent, MLV respiratory vaccination against the same agents (INJ). Calves (n = 525) arrived in 5 truckload blocks and were stratified by body weight, sex, and presence of a pre-existing identification ear-tag. A total of 600 nasal swab samples were selected for DNA extraction and subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbiome of the upper respiratory tract. Nasal swabs collected on d 28 from healthy cattle were used to evaluate the impact of vaccination on upper respiratory tract (URT) microbial communities. Results: Firmicutes were less abundant in INT calves (n = 114; P < 0.05) and this difference was attributed to decreased relative abundance (RA) of Mycoplasma spp. (P = 0.04). Mannheimia and Pasteurella had lower RA in INT (P < 0.05). The microbiome in healthy animals on d 28 had increased Proteobacteria (largely Moraxella spp.) and decreased Firmicutes (comprised almost exclusively of Mycoplasma spp.) compared to animals that were treated for or died from BRD (P < 0.05). Cattle that died had a greater RA of Mycoplasma spp. in their respiratory microbiome on d 0 (P < 0.02). Richness was similar on d 0 and 28, but diversity increased for all animals on d 28 (P>0.05).
ABSTRACT
The objectives were to evaluate the effects of metaphylaxis (META) and pull-and-treat (PT) programs on health, antimicrobial use, beef production, economics, and greenhouse gas emissions in cattle at medium risk for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). A randomized complete block design was used at two US commercial feedlots. Steers and heifers [2366 total; 261 (±11.0) kg initial weight] were blocked by sex and feedlot arrival, and allocated to one of two pens within a block (16 pens total, eight blocks). Pens were randomly assigned to treatment: META, tulathromycin injection at initial processing; or PT, tulathromycin injection only for first clinical BRD treatment. Data were analyzed with linear and generalized linear mixed models. There was greater BRD morbidity in PT than META cattle (17.2% vs. 7.3% respectively; p < 0.01), and greater total mortality (2.5% vs. 1.1% respectively; p = 0.03). Per animal enrolled, 1.1 antimicrobial doses were used for META compared to 0.2 for PT (p < 0.01). Per animal enrolled, final live (p = 0.04) and carcass (p = 0.08) weights were greater for META than PT; however, net returns ($/animal) were not significantly different (p = 0.71). Compared to PT, total lifetime estimated CO2 equivalent emissions from production were reduced by 2% per unit of live weight for META (p = 0.09). While antimicrobial use was reduced with PT, there may be substantial negative impacts on other outcomes if META was not used in this type of cattle population.
ABSTRACT
Experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection can enhance Histophilus somni (Hs) disease in calves; we thus hypothesized that modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines containing BRSV may alter Hs carriage. Our objective was to determine the effects of an intranasal (IN) trivalent (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus [IBRV], parainfluenza-3 virus [PI3V], and BRSV) respiratory vaccine with parenteral (PT) bivalent bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type I + II vaccine, or a PT pentavalent (BVDV type I and II, IBRV, BRSV, and PI3V) respiratory vaccine, on health, growth, immunity, and nasal pathogen colonization in high-risk beef calves. Calves (n = 525) were received in five truckload blocks and stratified by body weight (213 ± 18.4 kg), sex, and presence of a pre-existing ear-tag. Pens were spatially arranged in sets of three within a block and randomly assigned to treatment with an empty pen between treatment groups consisting of: 1) no MLV respiratory vaccination (CON), 2) IN trivalent MLV respiratory vaccine with PT BVDV type I + II vaccine (INT), or 3) PT pentavalent, MLV respiratory vaccine (INJ). The pen was the experimental unit, with 15 pens/treatment and 11 to 12 calves/pen in this 70-d receiving study. Health, performance, and BRSV, Hs, Mycoplasma bovis (Mb), Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh), and Pasteurella multocida (Pm) level in nasal swabs via rtPCR was determined on days 0, 7, 14, and 28, and BRSV-specific serum neutralizing antibody titer, and serum IFN-γ concentration via ELISA, were evaluated on days 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70. Morbidity (P = 0.83), mortality (P = 0.68) and average daily gain (P ≥ 0.82) did not differ. Serum antibodies against BRSV increased with time (P < 0.01). There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for Hs detection; on days 14 and 28, INT (21.1% and 57.1%) were more frequently (P < 0.01) Hs positive than CON (3.6% and 25.3%) or INJ (3.4 % and 8.4%). Also, INT had reduced (P = 0.03) cycle time of Hs positive samples on day 28. No difference (P ≥ 0.17) was found for IFN-γ concentration and Mb, Mh, or Pm detection. The proportion of Mh positive culture from lung specimens differed (P < 0.01); INT had fewer (0.0%; 0 of 9) Mh positive lungs than INJ (45.5%; 6 of 13) or CON (74.0%; 14 of 19). Vaccination of high-risk calves with MLV did not clearly impact health or growth during the receiving period. However, INT was associated with an altered upper respiratory microbial community in cattle resulting in increased detection and level of Hs.
Our objective was to determine the safety, efficiency, and effects on immunity and nasal shedding of respiratory pathogens for high-risk cattle administered an intranasal (IN), trivalent (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus [IBRV], parainfluenza-3 virus [PI3V], and bovine respiratory syncytial virus [BRSV]) respiratory vaccine with parenteral, bivalent bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), or a parenteral, pentavalent (BVDV type I and II, IBRV, BRSV, and PI3V) respiratory vaccine, compared to an unvaccinated negative control. The results of this study indicate that modified-live virus (MLV) vaccination of high-risk calves upon arrival, either parenterally or intranasally, did not clearly impact health or growth during the feedlot receiving period. However, cattle that were intranasally vaccinated had increased carriage of Histophilus somni in the naris, greater amount of H. somni in nasal swabs indicated by reduced PCR cycle time, and less frequent culture of Mannheimia haemolytica from lung tissue samples upon necropsy. Therefore, intranasal administration of MLV vaccines may alter the microbial community and balance of opportunistic pathogens in the respiratory tract of cattle.
