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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413162
Research Project: Environmental and Management Influences on Animal Productivity and Well-Being Phenotypes

Location: Livestock Issues Research

Title: Longitudinal assessment of Salmonella enterica prevalence and concentration throughout the gastrointestinal tract in finishing beef steers with and without liver abscesses

Author
item DORNBACH, COLTON - Texas Tech University
item Broadway, Paul
item LINE, DALTON - Texas Tech University
item HANRATTY, ASHLEE - Texas Tech University
item CHILDRESS, KALLIE - Texas Tech University
item THOMPSON-SMITH, AUBREY - Texas Tech University
item MANAHAN, JEFF - Texas Tech University
item MCDANIEL, ZACH - Texas Tech University
item Sanchez, Nicole
item GALYEAN, MICHAEL - Texas Tech University
item HALES, KRISTIN - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to longitudinally assess the presence and quantity of Salmonella enterica throughout the gastrointestinal tract in finishing beef steers with and without liver abscesses (LA). Crossbred steers (n = 225; initial body weight = 353 ± 39 kg) were used in an observational case-control design with individual steer designated as the experimental unit. Nasal, ruminal fluid, and fecal samples were collected at feedlot arrival, one week after adaptation to the finishing diet, and the day before harvest at a commercial abattoir. Healthy and abscessed liver tissue samples were collected at harvest. Steers were fed a steam-flaked corn-based diet without tylosin phosphate. After harvest, LA prevalence was determined, and steers were sorted into 1 of 2 treatments: 1) steers with LA; or 2) steers without LA. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Overall LA prevalence was 18.7%. Nasal Salmonella prevalence was 34.4% but did not differ between steers with or without LA (P = 0.73). Nasal Salmonella concentrations did not differ between treatments (P = 0.85) or collection day (P = 0.50). Ruminal fluid Salmonella prevalence was 73.7% but did not differ between treatments (P = 0.83). From feedlot arrival to harvest, ruminal fluid Salmonella concentration and prevalence decreased (P < 0.01). Fecal Salmonella prevalence tended to be 6.4% greater in steers with LA (P = 0.09). Conversely, fecal Salmonella concentration tended to be 5.9% greater in steers without LA (P = 0.07). Fecal Salmonella prevalence was greatest after transition to the finishing diet (P < 0.01) while fecal Salmonella concentration was greatest before harvest (P < 0.01). Liver Salmonella prevalence was 9.8% and 6.5% for steers with and without LA, respectively, but did not differ between treatments (P = 0.47). Liver Salmonella concentrations did not differ in steers with or without LA (P = 0.18). Overall, these data suggest Salmonella concentration and prevalence were affected by time on feed, but not indicative of LA formation.