Alternatives to Livestock Antibiotics
Using food supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids as feed additives
- Prebioitics and organic acids set an ideal environment to prevent feed spoilage by altering pH levels. Probiotics, which are free of antibiotic resistance genes and stomach acids and bile, are living cells with similar benefits that build up gastrointestinal tract strength (Looft et al. 115).
Patenting and extending the research on innate immune molecules such as “NK lysin” for bird antimicrobial protection
- NK lysin is a small protein that kills pathogens, promotes beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora, and improves host immune responses. Researchers have demonstrated that NK lysin can kill bacteria commonly seen in chickens (Strategies That Work).
Promoting bacteriophage therapy which “involves the use of bacterial viruses (phages) to attack a specific bacterium or narrow group of bacteria with the advantage over antibiotics being that autochthonous bacteria are unharmed and no dysbiosis occurs”
- To efficiently employ phages in therapy, specific pathogens need to be identified. Phage therapy in Salmonella cases has reduced, but has not completely eliminated the food borne pathogens yet (Looft et al. 116).
Using Vitamin D as a treatment for mastitis, a common disease among dairy cattle
- Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D in the bloodstream can delay and reduce the severity of diseases such as mastitis. Animals previously treated with Vitamin D have demonstrated low bacterial counts and less severe infectious symptoms opposed to cows that did not receive treatment (Strategies That Work).
Using compounds, such as chlorate or nitro compounds, to kill food borne bacteria
- In the past, chlorate based compounds have reduced E. coli levels in cattle and Salmonella levels in poultry. Chlorate has an exceptional bacteria killing mechanism that is significantly more effective with the addition of nitro compounds (Strategies That Work).
Creating targeted antimicrobials to destroy bacteria
- Scientists have demonstrated that phage viruses, which infect bacteria, have the ability to produce enzymes that can kill certain pathogens by breaking down cell walls. The enzymes target pathogens of interest and reduce the chances of bacterial resistance (Strategies That Work).
Using vaccines as methods to reduce the burden of animal and human pathogens in food producing animals
- Administering vaccines can drastically reduce clinical infections as well. In the case of the swine pathogen, Lawsonia intracellularis, vaccination helped reduce the need for antibiotic administration (Looft et al 117).
Promoting animal health care and improving sanitary measures to reduce pathogen exposure
Total Word Count: 414
My Words: 382
DISCLAIMER: Parts of this website are fictional and were created for a class. Please email my instructor with questions: [email protected].
Using food supplements, prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids as feed additives
- Prebioitics and organic acids set an ideal environment to prevent feed spoilage by altering pH levels. Probiotics, which are free of antibiotic resistance genes and stomach acids and bile, are living cells with similar benefits that build up gastrointestinal tract strength (Looft et al. 115).
Patenting and extending the research on innate immune molecules such as “NK lysin” for bird antimicrobial protection
- NK lysin is a small protein that kills pathogens, promotes beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora, and improves host immune responses. Researchers have demonstrated that NK lysin can kill bacteria commonly seen in chickens (Strategies That Work).
Promoting bacteriophage therapy which “involves the use of bacterial viruses (phages) to attack a specific bacterium or narrow group of bacteria with the advantage over antibiotics being that autochthonous bacteria are unharmed and no dysbiosis occurs”
- To efficiently employ phages in therapy, specific pathogens need to be identified. Phage therapy in Salmonella cases has reduced, but has not completely eliminated the food borne pathogens yet (Looft et al. 116).
Using Vitamin D as a treatment for mastitis, a common disease among dairy cattle
- Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D in the bloodstream can delay and reduce the severity of diseases such as mastitis. Animals previously treated with Vitamin D have demonstrated low bacterial counts and less severe infectious symptoms opposed to cows that did not receive treatment (Strategies That Work).
Using compounds, such as chlorate or nitro compounds, to kill food borne bacteria
- In the past, chlorate based compounds have reduced E. coli levels in cattle and Salmonella levels in poultry. Chlorate has an exceptional bacteria killing mechanism that is significantly more effective with the addition of nitro compounds (Strategies That Work).
Creating targeted antimicrobials to destroy bacteria
- Scientists have demonstrated that phage viruses, which infect bacteria, have the ability to produce enzymes that can kill certain pathogens by breaking down cell walls. The enzymes target pathogens of interest and reduce the chances of bacterial resistance (Strategies That Work).
Using vaccines as methods to reduce the burden of animal and human pathogens in food producing animals
- Administering vaccines can drastically reduce clinical infections as well. In the case of the swine pathogen, Lawsonia intracellularis, vaccination helped reduce the need for antibiotic administration (Looft et al 117).
Promoting animal health care and improving sanitary measures to reduce pathogen exposure
Total Word Count: 414
My Words: 382
DISCLAIMER: Parts of this website are fictional and were created for a class. Please email my instructor with questions: [email protected].