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PubMed2026

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation postbiotic supplementation on metagenomics of digital dermatitis lesions in lactating Holstein cows.

Digital dermatitis (DD) is the leading cause of lameness in cattle, posing major animal welfare and economic concerns. Effective prevention strategies are increasingly important given emerging antimicrobial resistance associated with common DD treatments. Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation postbiotics (SCFP) has been shown to enhance innate immunity and reduce DD lesion development. This study evaluated the effect of a commercial SCFP supplement on the microbial composition of DD lesions using shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize microbial communities and associated antimicrobial resistance genes. Beta diversity analysis revealed that stage M4 DD lesions from SCFP-supplemented cows had a trend for different microbial compositions compared with controls (P = 0.051). At the genus level, M2 lesions were found to have statistically significant lower abundance of the genera Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Anaerotignum, Caproicibacterium, and Bacteroides in the SCFP treatment group compared with the control (P < 0.05). M2 lesions from the SCFP treatment group were also found to have statistically significant higher abundance of the genera Fusobacterium, Citricoccus, Listeria, and Fundicoccus as compared with the control (P < 0.05). M4 lesions were found to have statistically significant lower abundance of the genera Blautia and Petrimonas in the SCFP treatment group compared with the control (P < 0.05). At the species level, M2 lesions were found to have statistically significant lower abundance of the species Desulfovibrio sp. G11, Anaerotignum sp. MB30-C6, Caproicibacterium argilliputei, and Prevotella intermedia in the SCFP treatment group compared with the control (P < 0.05). M2 lesions from the SCFP treatment group were also found to have statistically significant higher abundance of the species Fundicoccus culcitae and Helcococcus ovis as compared with the control (P < 0.05). Metagenomic analysis identified antimicrobial resistance genes associated with multiple antibiotics commonly used for DD treatment, including tetracyclines, lincosamides, and pleuromutilins. These findings demonstrate the potential for SCFP supplementation to alter the microbial composition of DD lesions while highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance in DD management.IMPORTANCEDigital dermatitis (DD) causes substantial economic loss and welfare concerns in cattle production systems worldwide. Our findings show that dietary supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation postbiotics (SCFP) has the potential to alter the microbial ecology of DD lesions. Importantly, this work identifies antimicrobial resistance genes within DD lesions, underscoring the limitations of antibiotic-based control strategies. By linking nutritional supplementation to changes in microbial communities and resistance gene profiles, this study advances understanding of non-antibiotic approaches to disease mitigation and supports the development of sustainable, microbiome-informed management practices in food animal production.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Genomic characterisation of Enterococcus cecorum isolated from broiler chickens in the United Kingdom.

Enterococcus cecorum is an important poultry pathogen associated with lameness and increased mortality, leading to major welfare and economic impacts. Treatment is often challenging because disease is frequently detected late and the organism can localise in bone and joints, limiting antimicrobial efficacy. Presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes may further complicate treatment. Despite increasing global genomic research, only one recent study has investigated the phylogeny of E. cecorum from conventional UK broiler farms, using limited samples and a restricted time frame. In this study, 283 E. cecorum isolates were analysed, including 158 from the United Kingdom and 125 global non‑UK isolates. UK isolates comprised 123 archived by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) between 2003 and 2022, predominantly from clinical outbreaks with increased welfare culling and mortality, and 35 isolates from a UK study including clinical and environmental samples. Genome sequencing was used to assess phylogeny, AMR determinants and virulence factors (VFs). Single nucleotide polymorphism phylogenetic analysis identified eight major UK lineages with limited intra‑lineage diversity, indicating that UK isolates were genetically distinct from non‑UK populations. Using a 60‑SNP threshold, APHA isolates formed 18 subclusters, consistent with long‑term persistence and recurrent farm transmission, while multiple subclusters detected on some farms suggested repeated introductions. UK isolates carried fewer AMR genes than non‑UK isolates, with erm(B), lnu(C), tet(M) and tet(L) most prevalent. Screening of VF genes identified nine genes present in all isolates, with the remainder variably distributed. A subset of 60 UK isolates was examined for 13 previously described virulence‑associated genes, with phylogenetic clustering indicating associations between gene presence or absence and clinical status or mortality classification. The capsular polysaccharide gene cpsO was assessed in this subset and most non‑clinical or environmental isolates were cpsO‑negative, although several isolates from high‑mortality outbreaks also lacked this gene. Overall, this study provides insight into the phylogeny, AMR profiles and virulence gene diversity of E. cecorum within the UK broiler sector, supporting targeted surveillance and investigation of pathogenic mechanisms.

Antimicrobial resistance↗

PubMed2026

Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing of Candidate Pharmacogenomic and Schizophrenia-Related Genes in Sudanese Families with Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is considered a neuro-developmental disorder leading to disastrous lifelong disability of the patients and their families. There is a lack of data regarding pharmacogenomics of schizophrenia in Sudan. This study aimed to identify different genes affecting the treatment outcomes in Sudanese patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on seven families having more than one member diagnosed with schizophrenia. This was a small exploratory family-based sequencing study involving 18 affected individuals and 8 controls from seven families. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. Demographic data were collected using a standardized data collection sheet. DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from patients and control groups. Then, whole-exome and genome sequencing were performed. Sixty-six genes associated with schizophrenia, treatment, and treatment resistance were selected from the variant calling file. Variants showing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. These variants were then classified based on their impact on the protein-coding sequence into high- and moderate-impact. Moreover, indel mutations were also identified. RESULTS: Twelve variants of seven genes (COMT, FMO1, LPL, CYP2E1, ABCC1, GRM3, CYP2C9) were identified as genes with impact and potential association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.006632). Forty-three genes had a moderate impact, and they showed a potential association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.0004436). Two variants were indel mutations (CYP2D6, DTNBP1) and showed association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.004741). The p-values were generated from different databases. CONCLUSION: This exploratory family-based sequencing study identified several potentially relevant pharmacogenomic and schizophrenia-associated variants in Sudanese families, warranting validation in larger and ethnically diverse cohorts.

antipsychotics↗