| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Danielsson, Rebecca, et al.
(author)
-
Effects on enteric methane production and bacterial and archaeal communities by the addition of cashew nut shell extract or glycerol-An in vitro evaluation
- 2014
-
In: Journal of Dairy Science. - : American Dairy Science Association. - 0022-0302 .- 1525-3198. ; 97, s. 5729-5741
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of cashew nut shell extract (CNSE) and glycerol (purity >99%) on enteric methane (CH4) production and microbial communities in an automated gas in vitro system. Microbial communities from the in vitro system were compared with samples from the donor cows, in vivo. Inoculated rumen fluid was mixed with a diet with a 60:40 forage:concentrate ratio and, in total, 5 different treatments were set up: 5 mg of CNSE (CNSE-L), 10 mg of CNSE (CNSE-H), 15 mmol of glycerol/L (glycerol-L), and 30 mmol of glycerol/L (glycerol-H), and a control without feed additive. Gas samples were taken at 2, 4, 8, 24, 32, and 48 h of incubation, and the CH4 concentration was measured. Samples of rumen fluid were taken for volatile fatty acid analysis and for microbial sequence analyses after 8, 24, and 48 h of incubation. In vivo rumen samples from the cows were taken 2 h after the morning feeding at 3 consecutive days to compare the in vitro system with in vivo conditions. The gas data and data from microbial sequence analysis (454 sequencing) were analyzed using a mixed model and principal components analysis. These analyses illustrated that CH4 production was reduced with the CNSE treatment, by 8 and 18%, respectively, for the L and H concentration. Glycerol instead increased CH4 production by 8 and 12%, respectively, for the L and H concentration. The inhibition with CNSE could be due to the observed shift in bacterial population, possibly resulting in decreased production of hydrogen or formate, the methanogenic substrates. Alternatively the response could be explained by a shift in the methanogenic community. In the glycerol treatments, no main differences in bacterial or archaeal population were detected compared with the in vivo control. Thus, the increase in CH4 production may be explained by the increase in substrate in the in vitro system. The reduced CH4 production in vitro with CNSE suggests that CNSE can be a promising inhibitor of CH4 formation in the rumen of dairy cows.
|
|
| 3. |
- Andrée O´ Hara, Elisabeth, et al.
(author)
-
Effects of dry period length on milk production and energy balance in two cow breeds
- 2018
-
In: Animal. - 1751-7311 .- 1751-732X. ; 12, s. 508-514
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Shortening the dry period (DP) has been proposed as a strategy to improve energy balance (EB) in cows in early lactation. This study evaluated the effects of shortening the DP on milk yield (MY), EB and residual feed intake (RFI) in two breeds; Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH). Cows were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly assigned to one of two treatments; short DP of 4 weeks (4W, n = 43) or conventional DP of 8 weeks (8W, n = 34). Cows were kept and fed under the same conditions, except for the 4 weeks when the 4W group were still lactating prepartum and thus kept with the lactating cows. Milk yield and BW were recorded and body condition score (BCS) was rated from 10 weeks prepartum to 12 weeks postpartum. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded for lactating cows postpartum. Milk yield was reduced by 6.75 kg/day during the first 12 weeks postpartum ( P< 0.001) for the 4W cows compared with 8W cows, but there was no significant difference in total MY (3724 kg compared with 3684 kg, P = 0.7) when the milk produced prepartum was included. Protein content was higher in 4W cows (3.42%) than in 8W cows (3.27%) ( P<0.001) postpartum. In the 8W group, cows lost more BCS after calving ( P<0.05). Cows of SR breed had higher BCS than cows of SH breed (SR = 3.7, SH = 3.2, P< 0.001), but no differences in BW were found between breed and treatment. Energy balance was improved for cows in the 4W group ( P< 0.001), while feed efficiency, expressed as RFI, was reduced for 4W cows than for 8W cows (5.91 compared with −5.39, P<0.01). Shortening the DP resulted in improved EB postpartum with no difference between the breeds and no milk losses when including the milk produced prepartum.
|
|
| 4. |
- Chiappa, Giulia, et al.
(author)
-
A Novel High Discriminatory Protocol for the Detection of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto and Borrelia garinii in Ticks
- 2022
-
In: Pathogens. - : MDPI. - 2076-0817. ; 11:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex are the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (LB). Even if the conventional diagnosis of LB does not rely on the species itself, an accurate species identification within the complex will provide a deepened epidemiological scenario, a better diagnosis leading to a more targeted therapeutic approach, as well as promote the general publics awareness. A comparative genomics approach based on the 210 Borrelia spp. genomes available in 2019 were used to set up three species-specific PCR protocols, able to detect and provide species typing of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) and Borrelia garinii, the three most common and important human pathogenic Lyme Borrelia species in Europe. The species-specificity of these protocols was confirmed on previously identified B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. garinii specimens detected in Ixodes ricinus samples. In addition, the protocols were validated on 120 DNA samples from ticks collected in Sweden, showing 88% accuracy, 100% precision, 72% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The proposed approach represents an innovative tool in epidemiological studies focused on B. burgdorferi s.l. occurrence in ticks, and future studies could suggest its helpfulness in routine diagnostic tests for health care.
|
|
| 5. |
- Grandi, Giulio, et al.
(author)
-
Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Swedish ticks through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of whole ticks and of individual tick organs
- 2023
-
In: Parasites & Vectors. - : BMC. - 1756-3305. ; 16:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The composition of the microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks has been studied in several species, revealing the importance of geographical origin, developmental stage(s) and feeding status of the tick, as well as substantial differences between tissues and organs. Studying the microbiome in the correct context and scale is therefore necessary for understanding the interactions between tick-borne pathogens and other microorganisms as well as other aspects of tick biology. Methods In the present study the microbial flora of whole Ixodes ricinus, I. persulcatus and I. trianguliceps ticks were analyzed with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Additionally, tick organs (midguts, Malpighian tubules, ovaries, salivary glands) from flat and engorged I. ricinus female ticks were examined with the same methodology. Results The most abundant bacteria belonged to the group of Proteobacteria (Cand. Midichloria mitochondrii and Cand. Lariskella). 16S amplicon sequencing of dissected tick organs provided more information on the diversity of I. ricinus-associated microbial flora, especially when organs were collected from engorged ticks. Bacterial genera significantly associated with tick feeding status as well as genera associated with the presence of tick-borne pathogens were identified. Conclusions These results contribute to the knowledge of microbial flora associated with ixodid ticks in their northernmost distribution limit in Europe and opens new perspectives for other investigations on the function of these bacteria, including those using other approaches like in vitro cultivation and in vitro models.
|
|
| 6. |
- Jaenson, Thomas G.T. 1948-, et al.
(author)
-
First records of adult Hyalomma marginatum and H. rufipes ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Sweden
- 2020
-
In: Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 1877-959X .- 1877-9603. ; 11:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- From July 2018 to January 2019 we recorded 41 specimens of adult Hyalomma ticks, which had been found on horses, cattle or humans in 14 Swedish provinces. In 20 cases we received tick specimens, which were identified morphologically as adults of H. marginatum (n = 11) or H. rufipes (n = 9). These are the first documented records in Sweden of adults of H. marginatum and H. rufipes. Molecular tests for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus and piroplasms (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) proved negative; 12 out of 20 tested specimens were positive for rickettsiae (R. aeschlimannii was identified in 11 of the ticks). All ticks originated from people or animals that had not been abroad during the previous two months. These data suggest (i) that the adult Hyalomma ticks originated from immature ticks, which had been brought from the south by migratory birds arriving in Sweden during spring or early summer; and that (ii) due to the exceptionally warm summer of 2018 these immature ticks had been able to develop to the adult stage in the summer and/or autumn of the same year. The rapidly changing climate most likely now permits these two Hyalomma species to develop to the adult, reproductive stage in northern Europe. There is consequently a need to revise the risk maps on the potential geographic occurrence of relevant tick species and related tick-borne pathogens in Sweden and in the neighbouring countries.
|
|
| 7. |
- Ma, Yan, et al.
(author)
-
Linking climate and infectious disease trends in the Northern/Arctic Region
- 2021
-
In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recognition of climate-sensitive infectious diseases is crucial for mitigating health threats from climate change. Recent studies have reasoned about potential climate sensitivity of diseases in the Northern/Arctic Region, where climate change is particularly pronounced. By linking disease and climate data for this region, we here comprehensively quantify empirical climate-disease relationships. Results show significant relationships of borreliosis, leptospirosis, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), Puumala virus infection, cryptosporidiosis, and Q fever with climate variables related to temperature and freshwater conditions. These data-driven results are consistent with previous reasoning-based propositions of climate-sensitive infections as increasing threats for humans, with notable exceptions for TBE and leptospirosis. For the latter, the data imply decrease with increasing temperature and precipitation experienced in, and projected for, the Northern/Arctic Region. This study provides significant data-based underpinning for simplified empirical assessments of the risks of several infectious diseases under future climate change.
|
|
| 8. |
- Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Dairy milk from cow and goat as a sentinel for tick-borne encephalitis virus surveillance
- 2023
-
In: Comparative Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier. - 0147-9571 .- 1878-1667. ; 95
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of the most severe human tick-borne diseases in Europe. It is caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which is transmitted to humans mainly via bites of Ixodes ricinus or I. persulcatus ticks. The geographical distribution and abundance of I. ricinus is expanding in Sweden as has the number of reported human TBE cases. In addition to tick bites, alimentary TBEV infection has also been reported after consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. So far, no alimentary TBEV infection has been reported in Sweden, but knowledge about its prevalence in Swedish ruminants is scarce. In the present study, a total of 122 bulk tank milk samples and 304 individual milk samples (including 8 colostrum samples) were collected from dairy farms (n = 102) in Sweden. All samples were analysed for the presence of TBEV antibodies by ELISA test and immunoblotting. Participating farmers received a questionnaire about milk production, pasteurization, tick prophylaxis used on animals, tick-borne diseases, and TBE vaccination status. We detected specific anti-TBEV antibodies, i.e., either positive (>126 Vienna Units per ml, VIEU/ml) or borderline (63-126 VIEU/ml) in bulk tank milk from 20 of the 102 farms. Individual milk samples (including colostrum samples) from these 20 farms were therefore collected for further analysis. Our results revealed important information for detection of emerging TBE risk areas. Factors such as consumption of unpasteurized milk, limited use of tick prophylaxis on animals and a moderate coverage of human TBE vaccination, may be risk factors for alimentary TBEV infection in Sweden.
|
|
| 9. |
- Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Discrepancies in data reporting of zoonotic infectious diseases across the Nordic countries : a call for action in the era of climate change
- 2019
-
In: International Journal of Circumpolar Health. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1239-9736 .- 2242-3982. ; 78:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Emerging infections have in recent years caused enormous health problems. About 70% of these infections are zoonotic e.g. arise from natural foci in the environment. As climate change impacts ecosystems there is an ongoing transition of infectious diseases in humans. With the fastest changes of the climate occurring in the Arctic, this area is important to monitor for infections with potentials to be climate sensitive. To meet the increasing demand for evidence-based policies regarding climate-sensitive infectious diseases, epidemiological studies are vital. A review of registered data for nine potentially climate-sensitive infections, collected from health authorities in Denmark/Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, found that performing such studies across countries is constrained by incompatible reporting systems and differences in regulations. To address this, international standardisation is recommended.
|
|
| 10. |
- Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Identifying climate-sensitive infectious diseases in animals and humans in Northern regions
- 2019
-
In: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : BioMed Central. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 61:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: General knowledge on climate change effects and adaptation strategies has increased significantly in recent years. However, there is still a substantial information gap regarding the influence of climate change on infectious diseases and how these diseases should be identified. From a One Health perspective, zoonotic infections are of particular concern. The climate in Northern regions is changing faster than the global average. This study sought to identify climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIs) of relevance for humans and/or animals living in Northern regions. Inclusion criteria for CSIs were constructed using expert assessments. Based on these principles, 37 potential CSIs relevant for Northern regions were identified. A systematic literature search was performed in three databases using an explicit stepwise approach to determine whether the literature supports selection of these 37 potential CSIs.Results: In total, 1275 nominated abstracts were read and categorised using predefined criteria. Results showed that arthropod vector-borne diseases in particular are recognised as having potential to expand their distribution towards Northern latitudes and that tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis, midge-borne bluetongue and the parasitic infection fasciolosis can be classified as climate-sensitive. Many of the other potential CSIs considered are affected by extreme weather events, but could not be clearly classified as climate-sensitive. An additional literature search comparing awareness of climate influences on potential CSIs between 1997-2006 and 2007-2016 showed an increase in the number of papers mentioning effects of climate change.Conclusions: The four CSIs identified in this study could be targeted in a systematic surveillance programme in Northern regions. It is evident that climate change can affect the epidemiology and geographical range of many infectious diseases, but there were difficulties in identifying additional CSIs, most likely because other factors may be of equal or greater importance. However, climate-ecological dynamics are constantly under change, and therefore diseases may fall in or out of the climate-sensitive definition over time. There is increasing awareness in the literature of the effects of climate change on infectious diseases over time.
|
|
| 11. |
- Rocklöv, Joacim, Professor, 1979-, et al.
(author)
-
Decision-support tools to build climate resilience against emerging infectious diseases in Europe and beyond
- 2023
-
In: The Lancet Regional Health. - : Elsevier. - 2666-7762. ; 32
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change is one of several drivers of recurrent outbreaks and geographical range expansion of infectious diseases in Europe. We propose a framework for the co-production of policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools that track past, present, and future climate-induced disease risks across hazard, exposure, and vulnerability domains at the animal, human, and environmental interface. This entails the co-development of early warning and response systems and tools to assess the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures across sectors, to increase health system resilience at regional and local levels and reveal novel policy entry points and opportunities. Our approach involves multi-level engagement, innovative methodologies, and novel data streams. We take advantage of intelligence generated locally and empirically to quantify effects in areas experiencing rapid urban transformation and heterogeneous climate-induced disease threats. Our goal is to reduce the knowledge-to-action gap by developing an integrated One Health—Climate Risk framework.
|
|
| 12. |
- Werner Omazic, Anna
(author)
-
Glycerol supplementation in dairy cows and calves
- 2013
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The production of biodiesel from rapeseed oil methyl ester leaves glycerol (synonym: glycerine, 1,2,3-propanetriol) as a valuable by-product and a promising feed supplement for farm animals. This thesis provides information about the supplemental feeding with glycerol to dairy cows in early lactation and to young calves, and describes the fate of glycerol entering the rumen and the impact of glycerol on enteric methane production and gastrointestinal microbial populations. This was achieved by investigating the effects of two glycerol products of different purity - crude glycerol (88.1%) and glycerol (>99%) - on milk production, feed intake and metabolic parameters in 42 dairy cows in early lactation. Furthermore, different routes of the disappearance of glycerol from the rumen were quantified. These were i) fermentation in the rumen, ii) absorption across the rumen epithelium and iii) rumen outflow through the omasal orifice. The effect of glycerol on enteric methane production, rumen volatile fatty acid profiles and microbial population in rumen fluid was investigated in a gas in vitro system. Finally, the effects of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) with added glycerol on metabolic parameters and intestinal microbiota were examined in young calves. Glycerol supplementation, irrespective of purity, did not significantly affect milk yield or composition, the total intake of dry matter or metabolic parameters in dairy cows in early lactation. It was estimated that approximately 70% of the glycerol was absorbed mainly from the rumen, but probably also from the small intestine. A smaller fraction disappeared from the rumen compartment by microbial digestion. These findings indicate that glycerol is an available gluconeogenic substrate which might efficiently contribute to glucose synthesis in the liver. Addition of glycerol in the gas in vitro system indicated no reduction in methane production. Furthermore, bacterial and archaeal community structures subjected to additional glycerol followed a similar pattern as the in vitro control with no feed additive. Glycerol was also shown to be a suitable component in ORS for young calves since it ameliorated the effects of dehydration on feed and fluid deprived calves. In calves, glycerol was rapidly absorbed, presumably in the small intestine, and thus most likely not available to the intestinal microbiota.
|
|
| 13. |
- Werner Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
High- and low-purity glycerine supplementation to dairy cows in early lactation: effects on silage intake, milk production and metabolism
- 2013
-
In: Animal. - 1751-7311 .- 1751-732X. ; 7, s. 1479-1485
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study evaluated the effects of supplemental low- and high-purity glycerine on silage intake, milk yield and composition, plasma metabolites and body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows. A total of 42 cows of the Swedish Red Breed, housed in individual tie stalls, were fed 0.25 kg of low- or high-purity glycerine on top of concentrate, twice daily during the first 4 weeks of lactation. One-third of the cows acted as controls, receiving no glycerine. Silage was fed for ad libitum intake and concentrate was fed at restricted level of intake, about 6 kg/day for primiparous cows and 7 kg/day for multiparous cows. Feed refusals were weighed daily Cows were milked twice daily milk yield was recorded on four occasions per week and milk samples were collected simultaneously Blood samples were drawn from the coccygeal vessel once a week. Low- and high-purity glycerine had no effect on silage or total dry matter intake (P = 0.38 and P = 0.75, respectively) or on BCS (P = 0.45). Cows fed high-purity glycerine tended to have higher milk yield than control cows (P = 0.06). Milk composition tended to differ among treatments. No main effects of treatment on concentration of glycerine (P = 0.44), glucose (P = 0.78), insulin (P = 0.33), non-esterified fatty acids (P = 0.33) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (P = 0.15) in plasma. These data indicate that high-purity glycerine has the potential to increase milk yield, as well as enhance the milk protein concentration and milk fat + protein yield.
|
|
| 14. |
- Werner Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Oral rehydration solution with glycerol to dairy calves: Effects on fluid balance, metabolism, and intestinal microbiota
- 2013
-
In: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0906-4702 .- 1651-1972. ; 63, s. 47-56
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Response to glycerol and glucose as an additive for oral rehydration solution (ORS) was investigated in two trials comprising of total 24 young calves. The aim was to prevent dehydration and energy deficiency and to increase the population of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microbiota. Calves responded with a modest elevation of glucose and insulin in plasma when fed ORS with glycerol/glucose. The glycerol/glucose mixture concentration in plasma increased markedly following an oral glycerol load. There was no increase in 1,3-propanediol, and the VFA pattern was unchanged in calves receiving ORS containing glycerol/glucose mixture, indicating that glycerol was rapidly absorbed into blood. Numbers of enterobacteria and lactobacilli were not affected by treatment, and glycerol-utilizing Lactobacillus reuteri was detected in calf feces irrespective of treatment and sampling time. In conclusion, glycerol can be used as a component of ORS for young calves without negative impact on calf performance and health.
|
|
| 15. |
- Werner Omazic, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
The fate of glycerol entering the rumen of dairy cows and sheep
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. - : Wiley. - 0931-2439 .- 1439-0396. ; 99, s. 258-264
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated the fate of glycerol entering the rumen, in particular whether glycerol could be absorbed across the rumen epithelium. Three non-lactating rumen-fistulated cows were used to calculate the overall disappearance rate of glycerol in vivo and evaluate the rate of ruminal glycerol absorption. Rumen epithelial tissues isolated from sheep were used to characterise glycerol transport properties. The rate of rumen microbial degradation of glycerol was then studied in an in vitro system under anaerobic and thermo-regulated conditions. The results showed that glycerol can be absorbed from the rumen in significant amounts. The fractional rate of absorption of glycerol was not affected by variations in glycerol concentration in the buffer solution in the in vivo study. The glycerol absorption apparently occurred largely by passive diffusion and was probably not facilitated by carriers. Glycerol also disappeared via microbial digestion and outflow from the rumen through the omasal orifice.
|
|
