Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
While the increase in antibiotic resistance in cattle continues to challenge scientists and producers around the world, researchers in Saskatchewan have identified a novel immune stimulant called CpG ODN that helps beef producers keep their herds protected from bovine respiratory diseases such as “shipping fever.”This development by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan will keep cattle healthier, while reducing the need for antibiotics.
If it is generally agreed that vaccination remains the most cost-effective method of reducing animal suffering and death losses, animals that are routinely vaccinated as they enter feedlots are still exposed to pathogens because of previous weaning, shipping and mixing before their responses to vaccines are fully developed. As a result, there is a two-to-three-week period of susceptibility. The CpG ODN vaccine stimulant counters this by dramatically improving the speed and magnitude of immunity by enhancing a number of available vaccines.
The current reliance on antibiotics has a number of downsides, according to Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Director of VIDO.
“Antibiotics are of concern because of the increase in antibiotic resistance. Livestock production is under extreme pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics so they will be available for treating human diseases.”
The vaccine stimulant will reduce economic losses for producers and alleviate the suffering of animals from a variety of respiratory illnesses, while making more antibiotics available for human use.
“We develop these as platform technologies that will be beneficial to humans as well. If you reduce the use of antibiotics, you decrease resistance. The approach can be used for humans,” says Dr. Babiuk. “We have been able to, first of all, improve the magnitude of immune response, then change the type and broaden the quality of the immune response, and finally reduce the amount of vaccine required. We can also reduce the injection site tissue reaction.”
This project also has the potential to increase Canadian beef exports to Europe, as the European Union is taking steps to limit or ban the use of antibiotics in animal feed. They believe that, as antibiotics move through the food chain, they will lower human resistance to bacteria. They are also considering limiting or even banning live cattle and meat that has been exposed to antibiotics.
The project has received funding from Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS), and VIDO has brought in a number of other partners as well.
“We work with a collaborative group from around the world," he explains, "and, as a result of our expertise and world-leading activities, we have been able to team up with research institutes and bio-pharmaceutical companies around the world.”
The results so far have been impressive, and the benefits to producers are clear. Animal losses due to bovine respiratory diseases are estimated to cost $100 million annually in Canada. If the animals do not have to expend energy fighting off an infection, their feed conversion efficiencies are increased.
ACAAFS is a five-year program which provides $3.22 million annually to Saskatchewan projects that will position Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector at the leading edge. Funding for the ACAAFS program is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Application forms and information on how to apply can be found on the ACAAFS website at www.sccd.sk.ca/acaafs.
For more information, please contact:
Dallas Carpenter
Communications Officer
Saskatchewan Council for Community Development
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-6856
Dr. Lorne Babiuk
Director
VIDO
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7475
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