Association between Salmonella sp. and Yersinia enterocolitica infection in swine

By: Erin Shaw

Michigan State University, Class of 2013

Shaw, Erin; Funk, Julie; Plovanich-Jones, Anne E.; College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Swine are known reservoirs for both Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica. Both are foodborne pathogens and can result in zoonotic disease if contamination of pork products occurs during harvest.  The epidemiology of Y. enterocolitica and Salmonella in swine is not well understood, and cost-effective preharvest control measures have not been identified. Previous reports from experimental studies in mice suggest that, via quorum-sensing, Salmonella detects Y. enterocolitica signals, increasing Salmonella colonization (Dyszel et al, 2009). This may present an opportunity for preharvest control via targeting Y. enterocolitica infection or disruption of quorum sensing. Demonstration of this association in naturally infected swine has not been demonstrated.

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The Wide Open Range

By: Elizabeth Homerosky

The Ohio State University, Class of 2012

Here are some shots from Elizabeth's trip out to Montana and Wyoming working on some cattle ranches. 

Some Extra Ultrasound Experience

By: Sarah Spiegelman

Colorado State University

The year before I applied for vet school, my pre-veterinary advisor informed me that my resume was lacking in the area of food animal medicine. Now, I eat meat and I have a leather jacket, but apparently she thought I should work with a live cow before I could expect veterinary school to accept me.  I went home feeling dejected and cursing the world of ruminants.  A few days later, I received an email that a local beef rancher was looking for a student worker with experience in ultrasound.  Perfect! After a semester out at the equine reproduction lab, how hard could this be? I figured that palpating a cow couldn’t be that different from a horse, so I sent back a reply and a resume.

I got to the feedlot and found where I needed to be.  The manager helped me get oriented with their ultrasound machine. The ranch hands were all ready, brought in the first cow and loaded her in the squeeze chute. Meanwhile, I had come prepared and I pulled out my long palpation glove and lubed up my arm. But when I saw the cow, something wasn’t right.  Because instead of a cow, there stood an unmistakable and very male, Angus bull. Dangling participles and all.  Now, I figured the other workers were pulling a prank on the newbie, so I laughed it off and waited for them to bring a cow in next. Five ranch hands stood staring at my gloved and lubricated arm. One of them started giggling and asked, “Where do you plan to put that?”

After much confusion, me staring at testicles and dripping lube all over the room and five grown cowboys laughing themselves into tears, I came to find out that I had been hired for meat quality ultrasounding. Apparently, feedlots ultrasound their beef cattle to determine the condition of choice meat cuts, looking for marbling and other factors.  The boss explained that they had really intended to hire someone with experience in this type of ultrasound technique, so they wouldn’t be able to keep me on.  He did however allow me to come watch over the next few weeks to learn about working with beef cattle. I got my food animal experience after all.

Bringing new meaning to the word, "s***head"

By: Dana Cannon

Class of 2013, Ross University

While I was on a VIDA trip in Nicaragua, this Brahman calf was behind his mom in the stocks and his mom just couldn't hold it in!  How unfortunate, but a very good laugh!

 

Costa Rica: It’s more than just the Rain Forest

By: Lana Chumney

Class of 2011, Texas A&M University

During the Christmas break of my first year of vet school, I traveled to Costa Rica for an International Veterinary / Animal Science program. Our group consisted of twelve veterinary students from Texas A&M and the Ohio State University. Proyecto Asis is a wildlife refuge located in Ciudad Quesada. For two weeks we stayed with host families, most of whom spoke only Spanish. While I am not fluent in Spanish, my vocabulary improved substantially even in two weeks of being immersed in the language.

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