VN June 2020

Vetnuus | Junie 2020 36 antibiotic use in the beef, pork and poultry industries is increasing the risk of AMR in humans — and if so, what steps can be taken to reduce the risk. The five‑year Genomics Research and Development Initiative – AMR project, launched in 2016, is a major component of the Federal Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and Use in Canada. Focusing on the beef industry, Dr. McAllister collaborates with researchers in other departments in taking a“One Health”approach to the issue. “Basically, that’s just recognising that there are no borders when it comes to AMR,” says Dr. McAllister. “Bacteria with AMR can be found in humans, in animals, and in the environment, and they may spread from one to the other. That’s why, in our research, we’re looking at bacteria from people being treated for infections in hospitals, from cattle in feedlots, from waterways, from processing plants, sewage plants and elsewhere to see where and what type of AMR exists, and whether we can make any connections from one to the other.” Using whole genome sequencing, Dr. McAllister’s team has determined that the Enterococcus bacteria found in cattle and the Enterococcus that poses a serious threat to human health are actually entirely different species of bacteria. They also discovered that the genes responsible for AMR in the Enterococcus bacteria in humans are associated with antibiotics that are never used in cattle — in other words, it is becoming clear that AMR in cattle is the result of antibiotics used in cattle, and AMR in Enterococcus bacteria found in humans is the result of antibiotics used in humans. “We have tried really hard to find the smoking gun — that link of AMR and beef to humans — and we have not, says Dr McAllister. “Still, we can’t rule out that there could be a very lucky shot some time in the future. The chances of that happening are very, very low, but they’re not zero.” Genomics research funded through the Genomics Research and Development Initiative and the Beef Cattle Research Council has yet to find any evidence that antimicrobial resistance in beef cattle is being transmitted to humans. Read the study online at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61002-5 (Source: www.canadiancattlemen.ca) v Bits and Bobs I Stukkies en Brokkies Urban dogs are more fearful than their cousins from the country Fearfulness is one of the most common behavioural disorders in dogs. As an emotion, fear is a normal and vital reaction that helps individuals survive in threatening circumstances. When the fearfulness is excessive and disturbs the dog's life, it is seen as a behavioural problem. Excessive fearfulness can significantly impair the dog's welfare, and it is also known to weaken the relationship between dog and owner. Social fearfulness in dogs is particularly associated with fearfulness related to unfamiliar human beings and dogs. At the University of Helsinki, risk factors predisposing dogs to social fearfulness were investigated with the help of a dataset pertaining to nearly 6,000 dogs. The dataset was selected from a larger set of data, a behavioural survey encompassing almost 14,000 dogs. Based on the survey, inadequate socialisation of puppies to various situations and stimuli had the strongest link with social fearfulness. The living environment also appears to make a difference, as dogs that live in urban environments were observed to be more fearful than dogs living in rural environments. "This has not actually been previously investigated in dogs. What we do know is that human mental health problems occur more frequently in the city than in rural areas. However, further studies are needed before any more can be said about causes pertaining to the living environment," says Jenni Puurunen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki. Supporting prior research evidence, social fearfulness was demonstrated to be more common among neutered females and small dogs. Alongside size and gender, activity is another factor associated with fearfulness. Fearful dogs were less active than bolder ones, and their owners also involved them in training and other activities significantly less often. Study finds Enterococcus bacteria resistance.....<<< 35 >>> 37