Recent Insights of the Role of Microorganisms in Bovine Medicine

Dear Colleagues,

Livestock, including cattle, are perpetually exposed to a myriad of microorganisms (MOs) from their surroundings. These microorganisms can either be ubiquitous environmental MOs or specific to conspecifics within the herd (Robinson et al., 2018). Animals typically show resistance to most MOs through specific or age-related immunity, yet a minority of MOs can lead to pathogenic infections (Smith and Jones, 2020).

Diagnosis and Pathogenesis: The effective management of pathogenic infections hinges on reliable diagnostic methods. These methods are informed by clinical observations from field practitioners and laboratory tests such as ELISA, PCR, and microbial cultivation (Brown et al., 2021). These tests, noted for their sensitivity and specificity, are often complemented by pathological findings during necropsy, providing deeper insights into the pathogenesis of specific diseases (Mehrvar et al., 2021).

Epidemiology and Control: Laboratory data are instrumental in understanding the epidemiology of infections and monitoring the prevalence of different MOs at the herd or sector level. This epidemiological insight is vital for devising appropriate treatment and prevention strategies (Wilson, 2017). For instance, the identification of antibiotic resistance patterns and the development of vaccines are critical components of disease control (Godfroid et al., 2013).

The objective of this Special Issue, facilitated by MDPI, is to consolidate recent insights from various domains—clinical observations, laboratory tests, scientific research, and industrial developments—regarding MO infections in cattle, veal calves, and beef cattle farms. By integrating this information, we aim to enhance the welfare of animals and their caretakers and improve disease control measures for infections caused by MOs.

This compilation of recent findings will contribute to generating a better understanding of the role played by microorganisms in bovine medicine. By leveraging clinical and laboratory data, scientific research, and industry advancements, we are able to develop more effective strategies for the treatment and prevention of MO infections in cattle. This holistic approach is essential for improving animal welfare and managing diseases more effectively.

Dr. Menno Holzhauer

Royal GD Animal Health

e-mail: m.holzhauer@gdanimalhealth.com

phone: 0031-651612496

References:

• Brown, E., Nelson, N., Gubbins S, Colenutt, C. (2021). Environmental and air sampling are efficient methods for the detection and quantification of foot-and-mouth disease virus. of Virol. Meth. 287, 113988
• Godfroid J., Al Dahouk S., Pappas G., Roth F., Matope G., Muma J., Marcotty T., Pfeiffer D. and Skjerve A.E. (2013) A “One Health” surveillance and control of brucellosis in developing countries: moving away from improvisation. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infec Dis. 36, 241‑248.
• Mehrvar S, Himmel LE, Babburi P, Goldberg AL, Guffroy M, Janardhan K, et al. (2021) Deep learning approaches and applications in toxicologic histopathology: Current status and future perspectives. J Pathol Inform 2021;12:42.
• Robinson, T.P., et al. (2018). "Global livestock production systems." Food and Agric. Organiz. of the United Nations.
• Smith, R.A., and Jones, D.E. (2020). "Economic impact of livestock diseases." Journal, 202, 151-159.
• Wilson, D., Jackson, T., Sapey, E. and Lord, J.M. (2017) Frailty and sarcopenia: the potential role of an aged immune system. Ageing Res. Rev.36, 1–10.

Dr. Menno Holzhauer
Guest Editor

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• Virology
• bacteriology
• parasitology
• aetiology
• diagnostic
• laboratory testing
• treatment
• prevention