Grazing livestock are exposed to terrestrial cyanobacteria.
Abstract: While toxins from aquatic cyanobacteria are a well-recognised cause of disease in birds and animals, exposure of grazing livestock to terrestrial cyanobacteria has not been described. This study identified terrestrial cyanobacteria, predominantly Phormidium spp., in the biofilm of plants from most livestock fields investigated. Lower numbers of other cyanobacteria, microalgae and fungi were present on many plants. Cyanobacterial 16S rDNA, predominantly from Phormidium spp., was detected in all samples tested, including 6 plant washings, 1 soil sample and ileal contents from 2 grazing horses. Further work was performed to test the hypothesis that ingestion of cyanotoxins contributes to the pathogenesis of some currently unexplained diseases of grazing horses, including equine grass sickness (EGS), equine motor neuron disease (EMND) and hepatopathy. Phormidium population density was significantly higher on EGS fields than on control fields. The cyanobacterial neurotoxic amino acid 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) was detected in plant washings from EGS fields, but worst case scenario estimations suggested the dose would be insufficient to cause disease. Neither DAB nor the cyanobacterial neurotoxins β-N-methylamino-L-alanine and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine were detected in neural tissue from 6 EGS horses, 2 EMND horses and 7 control horses. Phormidium was present in low numbers on plants where horses had unexplained hepatopathy. This study did not yield evidence linking known cyanotoxins with disease in grazing horses. However, further study is warranted to identify and quantify toxins produced by cyanobacteria on livestock fields, and determine whether, under appropriate conditions, known or unknown cyanotoxins contribute to currently unexplained diseases in grazing livestock.
Publication Date: 2015-02-25 PubMed ID: 25828258PubMed Central: PMC4342207DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0143-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article explores the exposure of grazing livestock, specifically horses, to terrestrial cyanobacteria, primarily Phormidium spp., on livestock fields. Despite not finding hard evidence linking known cyanotoxins to diseases in grazing horses, the possibility of the contribution of these toxins to unexplained diseases remains, justifying further studies.
Research Objective and Methods
- This research aimed to examine the exposure of grazing livestock to terrestrial cyanobacteria, which has not previously been studied comprehensively.
- The study focused on terrestrial cyanobacteria, mainly Phormidium spp., found in the biofilm of plants from various livestock fields.
- The researchers used molecular techniques to detect cyanobacterial 16S rDNA in various samples, including washings from plants, soil samples, and ileal contents from grazing horses.
- They sought to test whether ingestion of cyanotoxins could be contributing to the pathogenesis of some unexplained diseases in grazing horses, such as equine grass sickness (EGS), equine motor neuron disease (EMND), and hepatopathy.
Results of the Study
- The study found that Phormidium population was significantly higher on fields where EGS-affected horses grazed.
- A cyanobacterial neurotoxic amino acid called 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) was identified in plant washings from EGS fields.
- However, estimations suggested that the dose of DAB present would not be enough to cause disease.
- Neither DAB nor other cyanobacterial neurotoxins, such as β-N-methylamino-L-alanine and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine, were found in neural tissues of horses suffering from EGS, EMND, or control horses.
- Phormidium was found on plants in areas where horses suffered from unexplained hepatopathy, although the numbers were inconsiderable.
Implications of the Study
- Although the study did not yield clear evidence in linking known cyanotoxins with disease in grazing horses, the observed presence of terrestrial cyanobacteria on livestock fields suggests the possibility of a connection, particularly under specific conditions.
- Further research, therefore, is necessary to identify and quantify toxins produced by cyanobacteria on livestock fields.
- Such studies could aid in understanding whether known or unknown cyanotoxins contribute to unexplained diseases in grazing livestock.
Cite This Article
APA
McGorum BC, Pirie RS, Glendinning L, McLachlan G, Metcalf JS, Banack SA, Cox PA, Codd GA.
(2015).
Grazing livestock are exposed to terrestrial cyanobacteria.
Vet Res, 46, 16.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-015-0143-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acids, Diamino / analysis
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Biofilms / growth & development
- Cyanobacteria / genetics
- Cyanobacteria / isolation & purification
- Cyanobacteria / physiology
- Cyanobacteria Toxins
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- England
- France
- Gastrointestinal Contents / microbiology
- Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
- Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / pathology
- Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Liver Diseases / microbiology
- Liver Diseases / pathology
- Liver Diseases / veterinary
- Livestock
- Motor Neuron Disease / microbiology
- Motor Neuron Disease / pathology
- Motor Neuron Disease / veterinary
- Neurotoxins / analysis
- Plants / microbiology
- Population Density
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
- Scotland
Grant Funding
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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