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<OL> <LI> Identify exploitable biological and environmental factors that affect pathogen
occurrence, survival, or transmission in cattle and swine production environments.
<LI>Develop and evaluate environmentally safe intervention strategies that reduce or
eliminate the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in cattle, swine,
and their manure.
<LI>Determine the baseline prevalence of Mycobacterium avium
subspecies paratuberculosis in beef cattle and beef processing plants.
Approach: The overall goal of this project is to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, by
providing scientific information that can be used to reduce or eliminate the
transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animal manure to human food and water.
Livestock manure is an important primary source of pathogenic bacterial contamination
of the live animal, food products of both animal and plant origin, and water, thus
presents a significant human health risk. Approaches include both the reduction of
colonization and shedding by livestock, as well as the reduction of pathogens shed
and present in the manure. Additional considerations are the preservation of the
fertilizer value of manure and the development of procedures that address not only
pathogen reduction, but the additional manure problem issues of odor and nutrient
management. Exploitable factors, including biological, environmental, and managerial
factors, which affect the occurrence, persistence, or transmission of pathogens in
cattle and swine manure will be identified, then manipulated and evaluated to
determine the impact on pathogens. Strategies and interventions to reduce or prevent
the dissemination of pathogens in cattle and swine manure will be developed and
evaluated. Approaches will include the use of dietary amendments, feed or manure
additives, and waste management systems, as well as other intervention strategies
suggested by information gathered in experiments.