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Dahlin L, Hansson I, Fall N, Sannö A, Jacobson M. Development and evaluation of a standardised sampling protocol to determine the effect of cleaning in the pig sty. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:45. [PMID: 39478619 PMCID: PMC11523895 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00400-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/20/2024] [Indexed: 11/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND All-in, all-out with strict hygienic routines is necessary in modern pig production. Furthermore, a standardised, validated method is needed to quantitatively control the effect of these hygiene protocols. This study aimed to establish a reproducible and reliable sampling method to assess cleaning of the pig pen. METHODS Sterilised pig faeces were mixed with indicator bacteria (i.e. Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and spread out in a controlled environment. The retrieval rate of three different sampling methods were evaluated; swabbing by (i) a cloth and (ii) a sponge, analysed by standardised bacterial culture and counting of colony-forming units, and (iii) a cotton swab analysed by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence. Two time-points were evaluated during the study; after drying overnight and after manual scraping of the surfaces. To determine sample-to-sample variability, sampling by the cloth and the cotton swab was carried out after manual scraping and further, after high-pressure washing with cold water. RESULTS Sampling by the cloth and the sponge showed few differences in in the number of CFU obtained before and after the manual scraping (retrieval rate), whereas the swabs, measuring ATP bioluminescence, showed a very high retrieval rate. Sample-to-sample variability was low for all three methods. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, to sample pens for the presence of bacteria, the cloth was assessed as the preferable material, being cheap, easy, specific, and approachable, and with a low sample-to-sample variability. The ATP measurement could have potential for use when evaluating the cleaning of stables, however, threshold values for evaluating the cleaning of a pig sty needs to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dahlin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ingrid Hansson
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nils Fall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Axel Sannö
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Jacobson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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2
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Cullen JT, Lawlor PG, Viard F, Lourenco A, Gómez-Mascaraque LG, O'Doherty JV, Cormican P, Gardiner GE. Optimising the hygiene of a liquid feeding system to improve the quality of liquid feed for pigs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16516. [PMID: 39019905 PMCID: PMC11255203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65097-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Poor feeding system hygiene may contribute to uncontrolled spontaneous fermentation in liquid pig feed and its associated undesirable effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of an intensive sanitisation programme in a grow-finisher liquid feeding system by monitoring microbiological and physico-chemical parameters of liquid feed and microbial colonisation of the feeding system surfaces. The sanitisation programme involved a combination of physical and chemical cleaning between batches of grow-finisher pigs, combined with nightly rinsing of the system with an organic acid blend. Improved hygiene of the internal surfaces of the mixing tank and feed pipeline, particularly until week 5 post-cleaning, was evidenced by reduced counts of lactic acid bacteria, total aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds and decreased adenosine triphosphate concentrations. Enterobacteriaceae and moulds remained undetectable on pipeline surfaces for 10 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy of the feed pipelines confirmed these findings. Conversely, the impact on liquid feed microbiology was minimal and short-lived. However, acetic acid, ethanol and biogenic amine concentrations decreased in the feed post-cleaning and no gross energy losses were observed. Therefore, by controlling surface microbial communities on liquid feeding systems via implementation of the sanitisation programme developed in the current study, on-farm liquid feed quality should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Cullen
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Cork Road Campus, Waterford, X91 K0EK, Ireland
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - P G Lawlor
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - F Viard
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - A Lourenco
- Food Bioscience Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - L G Gómez-Mascaraque
- Food Chemistry and Technology Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - J V O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - P Cormican
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - G E Gardiner
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Cork Road Campus, Waterford, X91 K0EK, Ireland.
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3
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Halpin KM, Lawlor PG, Arnaud EA, Teixé-Roig J, O’ Doherty JV, Sweeney T, O’ Brien TM, Gardiner GE. Effect of implementing an effective farrowing accommodation hygiene routine on clinical cases of disease, medication usage, and growth in suckling and weaned pigs. Transl Anim Sci 2024; 8:txae095. [PMID: 39044901 PMCID: PMC11263928 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The few studies that have evaluated hygiene routines in farrowing accommodation to date have focused on pathogen elimination from pens, with little attention paid to pig growth and no information provided on pig health or medication usage. This study aimed to determine if implementation of an optimized farrowing accommodation hygiene routine could improve pig health and growth and reduce medication usage pre- and post-weaning (PW). Forty seven sows were blocked on parity, previous litter size and body weight and assigned to two treatments: T1) Basic hygiene: cold water washing only with minimal drying time; T2) Optimized hygiene: use of detergent and a chlorocresol-based disinfectant with a 6-d drying time. Total bacterial counts (TBC), Enterobacteriaceae counts and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swabs were obtained from different areas within the farrowing pens. Pig growth and medication usage were monitored from birth to slaughter and carcass data were obtained at slaughter. On entry of sows to the farrowing pens, TBC and Enterobacteriaceae counts and ATP concentrations were lower on pen surfaces subjected to the optimized compared to the basic hygiene routine (P < 0.05). Pre-weaning diarrhea prevalence was lower in pigs born into optimal compared to basic hygiene pens (0 vs. 22%; P < 0.001). The number of clinical cases of disease and injections administered to piglets per litter was 75% and 79% less for the optimized compared to the basic hygiene routine, respectively (P < 0.001). This led to reductions of 77% (P < 0.001) and 75% (P < 0.01), respectively in the volume of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories administered per litter in the optimized hygiene group. Pigs from the optimized hygiene treatment were also heavier at weaning (P < 0.01) and their average daily gain (ADG) was higher from day 21 to weaning and days 22 to 49 PW (P < 0.05). However, these growth improvements did not carry through to the finisher period. In conclusion, implementation of an optimized hygiene routine reduced the bacterial load in farrowing pens, leading to a reduction in diarrhea and clinical cases of disease and therefore, medication usage, in suckling pigs. Pig growth was also improved during the suckling and early PW periods. Based on the results, an easily implementable farrowing room hygiene protocol with demonstrable benefits for pig health, growth, and welfare can be provided to farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keely M Halpin
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Peadar G Lawlor
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
| | - Elisa A Arnaud
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Júlia Teixé-Roig
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
- Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - John V O’ Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Triona M O’ Brien
- Teagasc, Food Safety Department, Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., Cork, Ireland
| | - Gillian E Gardiner
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
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4
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Makovska I, Chantziaras I, Caekebeke N, Dhaka P, Dewulf J. Assessment of Cleaning and Disinfection Practices on Pig Farms across Ten European Countries. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:593. [PMID: 38396561 PMCID: PMC10886142 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study delves into the assessment of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) measures within the context of European pig farming, employing the Biocheck.UGent™ tool as an effective instrument for evaluation. A comprehensive set of relevant parameters was examined to enable meaningful comparisons across farms from 10 European countries during four years (2019-2022). Findings indicate a notable increase in C&D measure implementation in select countries (Belgium, Finland, Italy, and Spain), reflecting heightened awareness and responsibility among farmers. Additionally, the overall score for the C&D subcategory highlights variation across countries, with Italy (75), Poland (74), and Belgium (72) displaying the highest scores, while Ireland (56), Slovenia (55), and Serbia (50) reported the lowest scores. However, the considerable variation in the number of participating farms necessitates cautious comparisons. The study identifies well-implemented C&D measures in the frame of external biosecurity but underscores gaps in the application of C&D measures for the material introduction practices across farms (22% of farms), which are attributed to awareness gaps and resource limitations. In the areas of internal biosecurity, strong points include C&D procedures after each production cycle (79%), implementing different stages in the C&D process (65%) and sufficient sanitary break (82%), while gaps are evident in the presence and using of hand hygiene stations (19% of farms) and boots disinfection equipment (40% of farms) between compartments/units. Notably, the study reveals a lack of evaluation of hygiene after C&D procedures (only 1% of farms), signaling critical knowledge gaps among farmers regarding proper assessment tools and methods. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the implementation status of C&D measures in European pig farming, offering insights into both areas of progress and those requiring improvement. The findings emphasize the need for targeted awareness campaigns and training initiatives to bolster biosecurity practices within the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Makovska
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (P.D.); (J.D.)
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (P.D.); (J.D.)
| | | | - Pankaj Dhaka
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (P.D.); (J.D.)
- Centre for One Health, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana 141004, India
| | - Jeroen Dewulf
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (P.D.); (J.D.)
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5
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Burkhardt FK, Hayer JJ, Heinemann C, Steinhoff-Wagner J. Effect of Climatic Condition, Type of Trough and Water Cleanliness on Drinking Behavior in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:257. [PMID: 38254426 PMCID: PMC10812700 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing ambient temperatures lead to higher water intake and higher risks of microbial growth in cattle troughs. This study aims to analyze drinking water quality and dairy cows' drinking behavior (n = 8081 drinking episodes) on a commercial farm with 135 and 144 lactating cows in two climatic conditions, considering trough type and cleanliness, respectively. Daily video recording was conducted at two trough types (two open troughs, 70 L; two-valve troughs, variable volume of 5-15 L) in the first two hours after feeding (n = 60 days in total) under cold (December 2019-February 2020) and warm ambient temperatures (September 2021). The trough cleaning scheme allowed cows to access either cleaned or uncleaned troughs in each system. Water quality was tested daily and analyzed at the beginning and end of the trials. In warmer ambient temperatures, fewer and-at uncleaned troughs and open troughs-shorter drinking episodes were recorded, with longer but fewer water intake periods, longer drinking breaks, and fewer sips (p < 0.0001). Considering the drinking episodes, respectively, water intake and drinking breaks in number and duration, the number of sips and the number of agonistic behaviors might optimize dairy cow water supply and hygiene management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Katharina Burkhardt
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany;
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (J.J.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Jason Jeremia Hayer
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (J.J.H.); (C.H.)
- Educational and Research Centre for Animal Husbandry Hofgut Neumuehle, 67728 Münchweiler an der Alsenz, Germany
| | - Céline Heinemann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany; (J.J.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Julia Steinhoff-Wagner
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany;
- HEF World Agricultural Systems Center, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
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6
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Scollo A, Perrucci A, Stella MC, Ferrari P, Robino P, Nebbia P. Biosecurity and Hygiene Procedures in Pig Farms: Effects of a Tailor-Made Approach as Monitored by Environmental Samples. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071262. [PMID: 37048519 PMCID: PMC10093544 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In livestock, the importance of hygiene management is gaining importance within the context of biosecurity. The aim of this study was to monitor the implementation of biosecurity and hygiene procedures in 20 swine herds over a 12-month period, as driven by tailor-made plans, including training on-farm. The measure of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) environmental contents was used as an output biomarker. The presence of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) was also investigated as sentinels of antibiotic resistance. A significant biosecurity improvement (p = 0.006) and a reduction in the ATP content in the sanitised environment (p = 0.039) were observed. A cluster including 6/20 farms greatly improved both biosecurity and ATP contents, while the remaining 14/20 farms ameliorated them only slightly. Even if the ESBL-E. coli prevalence (30.0%) after the hygiene procedures significantly decreased, the prevalence of LA-MRSA (22.5%) was unaffected. Despite the promising results supporting the adoption of tailor-made biosecurity plans and the measure of environmental ATP as an output biomarker, the high LA-MRSA prevalence still detected at the end of the study underlines the importance of improving even more biosecurity and farm hygiene in a one-health approach aimed to preserve also the pig workers health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Scollo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Alice Perrucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Ferrari
- CRPA Research Centre for Animal Production, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Robino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nebbia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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Brown AJ, Scoley G, O'Connell N, Gordon A, Lawther K, Huws SA, Morrison SJ. Pre-Weaned Calf Rearing on Northern Irish Dairy Farms-Part 2: The Impact of Hygiene Practice on Bacterial Levels in Dairy Calf Rearing Environments. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061109. [PMID: 36978649 PMCID: PMC10044673 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-weaned dairy calves are very susceptible to disease in the first months of life due to having a naïve immune system and because of the numerous physiological stressors they face. Hygiene management is a key element in minimizing enteric disease risk in calves by reducing their exposure to pathogens. Samples of milk, concentrate feed and drinking water, boot swabs of bedding and swabs of feed equipment were collected from 66 dairy farms as part of a survey of calf rearing practice and housing design. All the samples were cultured to determine total viable counts (TVC), total coliforms (TCC) and Escherichia coli as indicators of hygiene. Target ranges for levels of TVC, TCC and E. coli were defined from the literature and the sample results compared against them. The TVC targets in milk, MR and water were <4.0 log10 CFU/mL. TCC and E. coli targets of <1.1 log10 CFU/mL (the detection limit) were used for milk, MR, concentrate feed and feeding equipment. For water, the TCC and E. coli targets were <1.0 log10 CFU/100 mL. The targets used for bedding boot swabs were <6.3 log10 TVC CFU/mL and <5.7 log10 TCC or E. coli CFU/mL. Farm management factors were included as fixed effects in a generalized linear mixed model to determine the probability of samples being within each hygiene indicator target range. Milk replacer samples obtained from automatic feeders were more likely to be within the TVC target range (0.63 probability) than those prepared manually (0.34) or milk samples taken from the bulk tank (0.23). Concentrate feed samples taken from buckets in single-calf pens were more likely to have E. coli detected (0.89) than samples taken from group pen troughs (0.97). A very small proportion of water samples were within the indicator targets (TVC 9.8%, TCC 6.0%, E. coli 10.2%). Water from self-fill drinkers had a lower likelihood of being within the TVC target (0.03) than manually filled buckets (0.14), and water samples from single pens were more likely to be within TCC target ranges (0.12) than those from group pens (0.03). However, all self-fill drinkers were located in group pens so these results are likely confounded. Where milk feeders were cleaned after every feed, there was a greater likelihood of being within the TVC target range (0.47, compared with 0.23 when not cleaned after every feed). Detection of coliforms in milk replacer mixing utensils was linked with reduced probability of TVC (0.17, compared with 0.43 when coliforms were not detected) and TCC (0.38, compared with 0.62), which was within target in feeders. Key factors related to increased probability of bedding samples being within TCC target range were use of group calf pens (0.96) rather than single-calf pens (0.80), use of solid floors (0.96, compared with 0.76 for permeable floors) and increased space allowance of calves (0.94 for pens with ≥2 m2/calf, compared with 0.79 for pens with <2 m2/calf). Bedding TVC was more likely to be within the target range in group (0.84) rather than in single pens (0.66). The results show that hygiene levels in the calf rearing environment vary across farms and that management and housing design impact hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Brown
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, BT26 6DR Hillsborough, Ireland
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Belfast, Ireland
| | - Gillian Scoley
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, BT26 6DR Hillsborough, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Connell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Belfast, Ireland
| | - Alan Gordon
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, BT9 5PX Belfast, Ireland
| | - Katie Lawther
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Belfast, Ireland
| | - Sharon A Huws
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL Belfast, Ireland
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Drinking behavior of dairy cows under commercial farm conditions differs depending on water trough design and cleanliness. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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9
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Hayer JJ, Heinemann C, Schulze-Dieckhoff BG, Steinhoff-Wagner J. A risk-oriented evaluation of biofilm and other influencing factors on biological quality of drinking water for dairy cows. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac112. [PMID: 35390153 PMCID: PMC9115896 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of livestock drinking water quality on animal physiology, welfare, and performance, influences such as biofilm formation on trough surfaces on microbial water quality are rarely researched. The objective of this study was to assess the microbial quality of water offered to lactating dairy cows and identify risk factors for poor water quality. We further aimed to determine the impact of biofilm formation on water quality and evaluate rapid test systems to score the hygiene status of dairy troughs on the farm. A total of 105 troughs located on 24 typical Western German dairy farms were sampled. Samples of livestock drinking water and biofilm were analyzed for aerobic total viable count (TVC), coliform count (CC), Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other bacteria resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins (CRB). Surface protein- and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-rapid tests were evaluated to detect biofilm formation. The influence of 22 selected fixed and variable trough characteristics on impaired livestock drinking water quality was evaluated by calculating odds ratios. The average TVC, CC, and E. coli counts were 4.4 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD), 1.7 ± 0.1, and 0.6 ± 0.1 log10 cfu per mL, respectively. CC was detectable in 94.3% of all water samples and E. coli in 48.6%. MRSA was found in pooled livestock drinking water samples of a single farm and CRB on three farms, suggesting that troughs might function as a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, thereby contributing to an exchange of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between animals. Risk factors for the impairment of at least one microbial quality criteria (TVC, CC, or E. coli) increased significantly (P < 0.05) when using high-volume troughs, other trough materials than stainless steel, a lower distance to the milking parlor, heavy visible soiling, biofilm formation, and high ambient and high water temperatures. CC (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) and E. coli (r = 0.31; P < 0.01) of water samples correlated with their equivalent in biofilm and with the results of rapid tests on trough surfaces (0.31 > r > 0.19; P < 0.05). Addressing the identified risk factors could be an approach to ensure sufficient biological quality of livestock drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Hayer
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Céline Heinemann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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Bacteriophage Encapsulation in pH-Responsive Core-Shell Capsules as an Animal Feed Additive. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061131. [PMID: 34208387 PMCID: PMC8231228 DOI: 10.3390/v13061131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause zoonotic infections is a major problem for farmers rearing animals for food as well as for consumers who eat the contaminated meat resulting in food-borne infections. Bacteriophages incorporated in animal feed may help reduce carriage and infections in animals including chickens and pigs. There are, however, unmet challenges in protecting phages from processing stresses e.g., during animal feed pelleting operations and during transit of phages through the acidic gastric environment. Core-shell capsules were produced using a concentric nozzle and commercially available encapsulation equipment to fabricate capsules with phages formulated in an oil-in-water microemulsion in the core. pH-responsive capsules released the encapsulated phage cargo within 10-30 min triggered by changes in local environmental pH typically found in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract of animals. Acid stability of phages exposed to pH values as low as pH 1 was demonstrated. Encapsulated phages were able to withstand exposure to 95 °C wet heat thermal stress for up to 120 s, conditions typically encountered during feed pellet extrusion processing. Free phages were inactivated within 15 s under these conditions. The present study demonstrates that encapsulation of bacteriophages in core-shell pH-responsive capsules with water-in-oil emulsified phages in the core significantly improves phage viability upon exposure to processing and environmental stresses that require consideration during production of animal feed and application in animals for biocontrol. The results from this study should help guide future development of phage formulations suitable for use in animal feed for animal biocontrol applications.
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Heinemann C, Leubner CD, Hayer JJ, Steinhoff-Wagner J. Hygiene management in newborn individually housed dairy calves focusing on housing and feeding practices. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skaa391. [PMID: 33279999 PMCID: PMC7799592 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In calf rearing, the first weeks of life are critical and associated with the highest mortality due to enteric and respiratory diseases. A well-implemented hygiene management can help to protect calves' health preventively by reducing the load of pathogenic bacteria and interrupting infection chains. The aim of this study was to identify deficiencies in hygiene management of individually housed dairy calves by surveying current practice and examining feeding and housing equipment with different hygiene indicators. On 11 farms, different locations in 2 pens or hutches for individual calf rearing prepared for restocking and 2 feeding buckets per farm, including the inner and outer surfaces of artificial teats, were visually scored for cleanliness and sampled with swabs (housing equipment: n = 167; feeding equipment: n = 120). The sanitation of floors was tested with sock samples (n = 41). A total of 328 samples were analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and protein residues, aerobic total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria (ESBL), and Salmonella spp. After evaluation of these results, the farmers were informed about the findings and trained on improvement in hygiene management personally. The sampling was repeated after 1 year to detect possible changes in hygiene management. The highest bacterial loads (TVC, TCC, and E. coli) were observed in feeding equipment, especially the inner teat of milk feeding buckets. Environmental samples, primarily the sidewalls and back walls of tested pens and hutches, exhibited the lowest bacterial counts and ATP and protein residues. All samples were negative for MRSA and Salmonella spp. In 10.5% of all samples, ESBL was detected, and in 6.8%, ESBL E. coli was detected, predominately in sock samples, followed by feeding equipment samples. Training in hygiene management showed only limited effects. In conclusion, there is still great potential to improve the implementation of hygiene measures in individual calf housing. In particular, more attention should be paid to the cleaning of feeding buckets and artificial teats, as this is a simple means of interrupting the possible spread of pathogens among calves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jason J Hayer
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Misra S, van Middelaar CE, Jordan K, Upton J, Quinn AJ, de Boer IJM, O’Driscoll K. Effect of different cleaning procedures on water use and bacterial levels in weaner pig pens. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242495. [PMID: 33201932 PMCID: PMC7671538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pork is one of the most globally eaten meats and the pig production chain contributes significantly to the water footprint of livestock production. However, very little knowledge is available about the on-farm factors that influence freshwater use in the pig production chain. An experiment was conducted to quantify the effect of three different washing treatments on freshwater use, bacterial levels [(total bacterial counts; TBC), Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus] and cleaning time in washing of pens for weaning pigs. Three weaner rooms were selected with each room having 10 pens and a capacity to hold up to 14 pigs each. Pigs were weaned and kept in the pens for 7 weeks. Finally, the pens were cleaned before the next batch of pigs moved in. The washing treatments used were power washing and disinfection (WASH); presoaking followed by power washing and disinfection (SOAK), and presoaking followed by detergent, power washing and disinfection (SOAK + DETER). A water meter was used to collect water use data and swab samples were taken to determine the bacterial levels. The results showed that there was no overall effect of washing treatments on water use. However, there was an effect of treatment on the washing time (p<0.01) with SOAK and SOAK+DETER reducing the washing time per pen by 2.3 minutes (14%) and 4.2 minutes (27%) compared to WASH. Nonetheless, there was an effect of sampling time (before or after washing) (p<0.001) on the levels of TBC and Staphylococcus, but no effect was seen on Enterobacteriaceae levels. Thus, the washing treatments used in this study had no effect on the water use of the pork production chain. Although there was no difference in both water use and bacterial load, from a producer perspective, presoaking and detergent use can save time and labour costs, so this would be the preferred option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Misra
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Corina E. van Middelaar
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kieran Jordan
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - John Upton
- Livestock Systems Department, Animal and Grassland Research Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Amy J. Quinn
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Imke J. M. de Boer
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Keelin O’Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
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13
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Research Note: Tracing pathways of entry and persistence of facultative pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a commercial broiler farm with substantial health problems. Poult Sci 2020; 99:5481-5486. [PMID: 33142465 PMCID: PMC7647923 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
On a commercial broiler farm with substantial health problems, shown by a reported loss rate of approx. 10% and regular antibiotic use, samples were taken at different locations in 2 barns, with the aim of analyzing possible entry routes and persistence of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as revealing weak points in sanitation. Therefore, swab samples for biofilm and water samples from animal drinking water lines and the spray cooling system were taken twice immediately before restocking. In addition, swab samples from drain holes and air samples were collected. At restocking, hatchlings that died during transportation and chick paper were sampled. All samples were analyzed for the occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total coliform count, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, namely, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). No MRSA or VRE were detectable. In all samples from drinking water and sprinkler system pipes, P. aeruginosa was detectable; in most cases, antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa was also detected, with varying resistance profiles. Samples from the hatchlings and chick paper were contaminated with antibiotic-resistant Enterobacter spp., with resistance to piperacillin, fosfomycin, and the third-generation cephalosporins cefotaxime and ceftazidime. Therefore, the initial entry of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae likely occurred via exposure at the hatchery, resulting in colonization of the chicks. Animals on the fattening farm were treated with colistin, amoxicillin, and lincomycin in the 3 production cycles before sampling. Owing to the frequent administration of several antibiotic classes during the fattening period via piped water in both barns, resistance of isolates from water pipes accumulated, showing additional resistance to chloramphenicol and frequently to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. To prevent the development of secondary diseases caused by the facultative pathogen P. aeruginosa in chicks with a weak immune status, the hygiene management for drinking water lines and the spray cooling system was changed. These changes resulted in an improvement in water line sanitation, shown by the absence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and rare detection of P. aeruginosa.
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Yi SW, Cho A, Kim E, Oh SI, Roh JH, Jung YH, Choe C, Yoo JG, Do YJ. Evaluation of adenosine triphosphate testing for on-farm cleanliness monitoring compared to microbiological testing in an empty pig farrowing unit. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2020; 62:682-691. [PMID: 33089233 PMCID: PMC7553838 DOI: 10.5187/jast.2020.62.5.682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Careful cleaning and disinfection of pigpens is essential to prevent disease spread and avoid the resultant economic losses. Hygiene in pigpens is generally evaluated by visual monitoring supplemented with bacteriological monitoring, which includes counting the total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and/or fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). However, these methods present drawbacks such as time and labor requirements. As adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is ubiquitous in all living organisms including microorganisms, this study aimed to directly compare the results of microbial assessment and ATP quantification, and to suggest possible detailed application methods of the ATP test for hygiene evaluation in pigpens of a farrowing unit. Before and after standard cleaning procedures, samples were collected from the floor corner, floor center, and feeding trough of four pigpens at different time points. No FIB were detected and both the TAB and ATP levels were significantly decreased in the floor center area after cleaning. FIB were continuously detected after cleaning and disinfection of the floor corners, and there was no significant ATP level reduction. The feeding trough did not show any significant difference in these values before and after cleaning, indicating insufficient cleaning of this area. The levels of TAB and ATP after cleaning were significantly correlated and the average ATP value was significantly lower in the absence of FIB than in their presence. In the absence of standard references, a more thorough hygiene management could be achieved evenly by supplementing cleaning or disinfection based on the lowest ATP results obtained at the cleanest test site, which in the present study was the floor center. Overall, these results indicate that the on-farm ATP test can be used to determine the cleanliness status, in addition to visual inspection, as an alternative to laboratory culture-based testing for the presence of microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Won Yi
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Ara Cho
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Eunju Kim
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Sang-Ik Oh
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Jae Hee Roh
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Young-Hun Jung
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Changyong Choe
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Jae Gyu Yoo
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Do
- Division of Animal Diseases &
Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea,Corresponding author: Yoon Jung Do, Division of
Animal Diseases & Health, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural
Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea. Tel: +82-63-238-7222 E-mail:
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15
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Kobusch I, Müller H, Mellmann A, Köck R, Boelhauve M. Single Blinded Study on the Feasibility of Decontaminating LA-MRSA in Pig Compartments under Routine Conditions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E141. [PMID: 32224941 PMCID: PMC7235865 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9040141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
: In countries with intensive pig husbandry in stables, the prevalence of livestock-associated (LA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on such farms has remained high in the last few years or has also further increased. Simple measures to reduce the LA-MRSA among pigs have not yet been successfully implemented. Earlier publications showed a decontamination of LA-MRSA was only possible with great effort. The aim of this study is to determine the suitability of routine cleaning and disinfection (C&D) for adequate LA-MRSA decontamination. For this purpose, at least 115 locations in a piglet-rearing compartment were examined before and after cleaning and disinfection. The sample locations were stratified according to accessibility for pigs and the difficulty of cleaning. The cleaning work was carried out routinely by farm employees, who were not informed about the sampling (single blinded). While before cleaning and disinfection, 85% of the samples from the surfaces were LA-MRSA positive, while only 2% were positive thereafter. All LA-MRSA-positive samples after cleaning and disinfection were outside the animal area. Air samples also showed no LA-MRSA after cleaning and disinfection. Conclusion: In well-managed livestock farms, decontamination of the LA-MRSA barn is quite possible; after C&D no LA-MRSA was detectable at animal height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Kobusch
- South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany; (I.K.); (H.M.)
| | - Hannah Müller
- South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany; (I.K.); (H.M.)
| | - Alexander Mellmann
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (A.M.); (R.K.)
| | - Robin Köck
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (A.M.); (R.K.)
- Institute of Hygiene, DRK Kliniken Berlin, 14050 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Boelhauve
- South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, 59494 Soest, Germany; (I.K.); (H.M.)
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Barati rashvanlou R, Rezaee A, Farzadkia M, Gholami M, Kermani M. Effect of micro-aerobic process on improvement of anaerobic digestion sewage sludge treatment: flow cytometry and ATP assessment. RSC Adv 2020; 10:35718-35728. [PMID: 35517111 PMCID: PMC9056904 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05540a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-aeration as a pretreatment method improves the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of municipal sewage sludge and consequently promotes the methane production. In this study, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and flow cytometry (FCM) were employed to monitor the performance of the micro-aerobic process and investigate the survival of bacterial cells within the process. At first, the effect of air flow rate (AFR) (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 vvm) on hydrolysis of mixed sludge in 5 aeration cycles (20, 30, 40, 48 and 60 hours) was examined. Then, the effects of the micro aerobic process on methane (CH4) production in anaerobic digestion were surveyed. The highest VSS reduction was 30.6% and 10.4% for 40 hours in the reactor and control, respectively. Soluble COD also fluctuated between 40.87 and 65.14% in micro-aerobic conditions; the highest SCOD was achieved at the time of 40 h. Microbial activities were increased by 597%, 170% and 79.4% for 20, 30 and 40 h pretreatment with the micro-aerobic process, respectively. Apoptosis assay showed that micro-aerobic pre-treatment at 20, 30 and 40 h increased the percentage of living cells by 57.4, 62.8 and 67.9%, respectively. On the other hand, FCM results showed that the highest percentage of viable bacteria (i.e., 67.9%) was observed at 40 h pretreating which was approximately 40% higher the ones for the control. Variation in cumulative methane production shows that methane production was increased by 221% compared to anaerobic digestion (control group). Therefore, ATP and FCM can be employed as two appropriate, accurate, relatively specific indicators for monitoring the process and bacteria viability. Micro-aeration as a pretreatment method improves the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of municipal sewage sludge and consequently promotes the methane production.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Barati rashvanlou
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Tehran
- Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
| | - Abbas Rezaee
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Tarbiat Modares University
- Tehran
- Iran
| | - Mahdi Farzadkia
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Tehran
- Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
| | - Mitra Gholami
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Tehran
- Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
| | - Majid Kermani
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology
- Iran University of Medical Sciences
- Tehran
- Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering
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