July 9, 2020

Researchers in Texas and Nebraska to study drug resistance in cattle

Researchers from the Texas Tech University and University of Nebraska to study the effects of drug-resistant pathogens spreading in cattle and ways to prevent infections, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported.

The research is led by Dr Kristin Hales, associate professor and chair in animal science in the Texas Tech University Department of Animal and Food Sciences. She was awarded a US$1 million, five year grant by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study antimicrobial resistance development and ecology.

Dr Hales will be working with University of Nebraska partners and the USDA Agricultural Research Service to identify the development of antimicrobial resistance and how it spreads among high-risk beef cattle.

The research will also generate ways to lower the spread of drug resistance among high-risk cattle for metaphylactic antimicrobial use, as well as assess antimicrobial resistance among commensal and pathogenic bacteria in high-risk beef cattle.

The results could assist veterinarians and cattle nutritionists to comprehend possible antimicrobial resistance dangers and what is the best health advice for cattle.

The goals of the research include establishing ways to lower feedlot cattle's antimicrobial resistance and come up with a different way to administer administering tylosin phosphate to control liver abscesses.

Through this research, it is hoped that reducing the possible spread of antimicrobial resistance will preserve antimicrobials for human and animal therapeutic uses, boost food safety and reinforce the food supply chain.

-        American Veterinary Medical Association