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<p>The project has the following two broad objectives: Determine prevalence, study ecology and develop and evaluate on-farm interventions of major foodborne pathogens, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, in cattle and swine. Determine prevalence, and study amplification and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in food borne pathogens and major gut commensals in cattle and swine and develop and evaluate methods to mitigate. </p>
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The food supply in the US is one of the safest in the world; however, food-borne illnesses do occur and frequently are associated with foods derived from animal agriculture, particularly cattle and swine. The three major foodborne pathogens associated with cattle and swine are Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. These pathogens reside in the intestinal tract of cattle and swine and are shed in the feces, which serves as a source of food and water contamination. The human illnesses caused by these pathogens range from mild to severe diarrhea, which could lead to serious complications, including death, particularly in children and elderly. In recent decades, there has been a significant rise in the prevalence of multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria in the U.S. and in other countries. The potential impact of antimicrobial resistance of food borne pathogens and normal bacteria in gut of cattle and swine is profound and requires multifaceted approach to understand the emergence and dissemination of genetic elements that confer antimicrobial resistance. Control strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence and concentration of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance elements in cattle and swine feces, thus reducing the overall number of bacteria entering both the food and environmental pathways, is the most effective approach for reducing the overall risk of human infections. </p>