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Ferrara G, Pagnini U, Improda E, Iovane G, Montagnaro S. Pigs in southern Italy are exposed to three ruminant pathogens: an analysis of seroprevalence and risk factors analysis study. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:183. [PMID: 38720324 PMCID: PMC11077783 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pigs are susceptible to several ruminant pathogens, including Coxiella burnetti, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). These pathogens have already been described in the pig population, although the dynamics of the infection and the impact on pig farms are currently unclear. The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of these infections in the pig population of the Campania region, southern Italy, and to evaluate the risk factors associated with a greater risk of exposure. RESULTS A total of 414 serum samples belonging to 32 herds were tested for the presence of antibodies against SBV, Coxiella, and BVD using commercial multispecies ELISA kits. SBV (5.3%) was the most prevalent pathogen, followed by Coxiella (4.1%) and BVD (3%). The risk factors included in the study (age, sex, province, farming system, ruminant density and major ruminant species) had no influence on the probability of being exposed to BVD and Coxiella, except for the location, in fact more pigs seropositive to Coxiella were found in the province of Caserta. However, the univariate analysis highlighted the influence of age, location, and sex on exposure to SBV. The subsequent multivariate analysis statistically confirmed the importance of these factors. The presence of neutralizing antibodies for SBV and BVDV, or antibodies directed towards a specific phase of infection for Coxiella was further confirmed with virus-neutralization assays and phase-specific ELISAs in a large proportion of positive samples. The presence of high neutralizing antibody titers (especially for SBV) could indicate recent exposures. Twelve of the 17 positive samples tested positive for antibodies against Coxiella phase I or II antigens, indicating the presence of both acute and chronic infections (one animal tested positive for both phases antibodies). CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates a non-negligible exposure of pigs from southern Italy to the above pathogens. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the dynamics of these infections in pigs, the impact on productivity, and the public health consequences in the case of Coxiella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy.
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Elvira Improda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
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Waberski D, Luther AM. Boar semen storage at 5 °C for the reduction of antibiotic use in pig insemination: Pathways from science into practice. Anim Reprod Sci 2024:107486. [PMID: 38704330 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Storage of boar semen at 5 °C instead of the conventional temperature of 17 °C is an innovative preservation concept. It enhances protection against the growth of bacteria normally occurring in the ejaculates and potential drug-resistant contaminants from the environment. Thereby it allows the reduction or even elimination of antibiotics in porcine semen extenders. The present article reviews the current state of the low-temperature preservation approach of boar semen, with a special focus on antimicrobial efficiency and fertility in field insemination trials. Particularly the role of semen extenders and temperature management for the achievement of high fertility and biosecurity are elucidated. Insemination data of 1,841 sows in there different countries revealed equally high farrowing rates and litter sizes of semen stored at 5 °C compared to the controls stored at 17 °C. Microbiology data obtained from semen doses spiked with multi-drug resistant bacteria showed the efficiency of the cold semen storage for inhibiting the growth of Serratia marcescens, a bacterial species with high sperm-toxicity. Evolving concepts on the physiological role of the male reproductive microbiome for female fertility provides a further argument against the complete eradication of bacteria in the semen dose by antibiotic additives to the extenders. Finally, motivation and practical considerations for the use of the novel preservation tool in artificial insemination of pigs are revealed, which might encourage the transformation towards a sustainable production of boar semen doses following the One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Waberski
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine/Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, Hannover D-30559, Germany.
| | - Anne-Marie Luther
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine/Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, Hannover D-30559, Germany
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Ngo C, Suwimonteerabutr J, Prapasarakul N, Morrell JM, Tummaruk P. Bacteriospermia and its antimicrobial resistance in relation to boar sperm quality during short-term storage with or without antibiotics in a tropical environment. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:21. [PMID: 37198655 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In tropical environments, boar semen is prepared either from a boar on the same farm as the sow herd or collected in semen collection centers and then transported to other farms. Thus, the semen doses can be used for artificial insemination either immediately or preserved for 2-3 days. The present study investigated the bacteriospermia and its antimicrobial resistance in relation to boar sperm quality during short-term storage in semen extender with or without antibiotics in Thailand. M&M: In total, 20 Duroc ejaculates were collected. Each ejaculate was diluted in Beltsville Thawing Solution extender either with 0.25 g of gentamicin per liter (ANTIBIOTIC) or without gentamicin (NO-ANITIBIOTIC) to create semen doses containing 3,000 × 106 sperm/100 mL. These were stored at 17 °C for 4 days. Semen characteristics and total bacterial count (CFU per mL, log10) were measured after collection and during storage. RESULTS Sperm viability was decreased by 6.4% for every 1.0 log10 increase in total bacterial count (p = 0.026) and Staphylococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated across ejaculates. Throughout the 4 days of storage, sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity in the ANTIBIOTIC group were higher than those in the NO-ANTIBIOTIC group (p < 0.05), while the total bacterial count was lower (1.9 ± 0.1 versus 3.9 ± 0.1 log10, respectively; p < 0.001). Without antibiotic supplementation, the total numbers of bacteria counted on days 2 and 3 of storage were higher than those determined on days 0 and 1 (p < 0.001). Differences in semen quality were detected on days 2 and 3 between the NO-ANTIBIOTIC and ANTIBIOTIC groups in high-viability semen (p < 0.05). However, no differences in sperm quality between the NO-ANTIBIOTIC and ANTIBIOTIC groups were detected in the low-viability semen on each storage day (p > 0.05). On the last day of preservation, Globicatella sanguinis (57.2%), Delftia acidovorans (18.9%) and Micrococcus spp. (5.9%) remained as the top three most abundant contaminants in the semen with antibiotic. CONCLUSION Our findings contribute new insights toward reducing antibiotics as well as rational antibiotic use in the boar AI industry. The growth of bacteria was significantly greater only after 2 days of preservation in the semen without antibiotic. For semen doses diluted from highly viable ejaculates, it is possible to store for 2 days without any antibiotic supplementation. Moreover, bacterial counts increased at the end of storage in the presence of gentamycin, suggesting the loss of bacteriostatic properties of gentamicin to the growth of bacteria during storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- CongBang Ngo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Junpen Suwimonteerabutr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Nuvee Prapasarakul
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Diagnosis and Monitoring for Animal Pathogens, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Contreras MJ, Núñez-Montero K, Bruna P, García M, Leal K, Barrientos L, Weber H. Bacteria and Boar Semen Storage: Progress and Challenges. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121796. [PMID: 36551453 PMCID: PMC9774694 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine breeding today is based on artificial insemination with chilled semen. This is stored at 5 °C with antibiotic supplementation to avoid bacteriospermia. There are many negative consequences on sperm quality and functionality as a result of bacterial contamination, as well as on the health of the sow. Nowadays, various techniques are being developed to reduce the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and thus avoid the generation of antibiotic resistance genes. This review aims to inform about the bacterial contamination consequences of storing liquid semen from boar and to provide an update on current methods and alternatives to antibiotic use in cold storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Contreras
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Biology, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago 30101, Costa Rica
| | - Pablo Bruna
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Matías García
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Karla Leal
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Leticia Barrientos
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (H.W.)
| | - Helga Weber
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Center of Excellence in Traslational Medicine (CEMT), Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (H.W.)
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Diaz EA, Luna L, Burgos-Mayorga A, Donoso G, Guzman DA, Baquero MI, Pearson T, Barragan VA. First detection of Leptospira santarosai in the reproductive track of a boar: A potential threat to swine production and public health. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274362. [PMID: 36129918 PMCID: PMC9491572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptospirosis causes significant economic losses and is an occupational risk in the swine industry, especially in developing tropical regions where social and geoclimatic conditions are favorable for the transmission of this disease. Although vaccination can reduce infection risk, efficacy is diminished if local genetic and antigenic variants of the pathogen are not accounted for in the vaccine. Identifying and characterizing strains hosts, and potential mechanisms of transmission is therefore critical for public health mitigation practices. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Our study was conducted on a rural breeding farm in Ecuador, where we used a PCR assay that targets lipL32 to detect Leptospira spp. and targeted gene sequencing to identify Leptospira santarosai in the kidneys, testicles, and ejaculate of a vaccinated boar. MAT results showed low titers against serovars found in the vaccine, but the MAT panel did not include serovars of L. santarosai. The boar showed no symptoms of leptospirosis but did show blood in the semen. However, no postmortem histopathological lesions were observed tissue samples. Vaccinated sows that were artificially inseminated with the semen from this boar had reproductive problems, suggesting that transmission had occurred. This is the first documented case of Leptospira santarosai in the reproductive tract of a boar. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE As L. santarosai is pathogenic in other livestock species and humans, our finding highlights the need to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological significance of this pathogen in livestock and consider the possibility of venereal transmission. In addition, further studies are needed to identify and characterize local serovars that may impact diagnosis and vaccination programs to better control leptospirosis in livestock and spillover into the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A. Diaz
- Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical, Laboratorio de Salud Animal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ligia Luna
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ana Burgos-Mayorga
- Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Medicina Veterinaria, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba, Ecuador
| | - Gustavo Donoso
- Hospital de Fauna Silvestre TUERI, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Diego A. Guzman
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - María Ines Baquero
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Talima Pearson
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Veronica Alexandra Barragan
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
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