A comprehensive sequencing and bioinformatics analysis pipeline for BRD pathogens in Alberta beef cattle

Project Details

Status: Completed
Investment: $335,000
Commodity: Beef Cattle
Organization: University of Lethbridge
Investigator: Athanasios Zovoilis

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) poses a significant problem to Alberta livestock and is primarily caused by bacterial pathogens.

June 2024

Research results

The goal of this project was to build a diagnostic platform to identify bovine respiratory disease pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance profiles to lead to more precision antimicrobial use in the beef cattle industry.

  1. Bioinformatics pipelines

    The project developed a bioinformatics pipeline to assemble bacterial genomes, annotate them, and quantify resistance elements.

  2. Higher prevalence of Macrolide and Tetracycline Resistance

    This project found higher prevalence of Macrolide and Tetracycline Resistance in beef microbial genomes than pork and poultry. However, findings show that in this sample set, in contrast to other livestock sectors like poultry and swine, beef production systems had fewest multi-drug resistant isolates.

Why is this research important for Alberta ag?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) poses a significant problem to Alberta livestock and is primarily caused by bacterial pathogens. BRD pathogens are varied with potential origins in multiple bacterial families and proper treatment requires pathogen identification. To further add to the difficulty associated with BRD treatment, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of significant concern in these cattle and many of the identified BRD pathogens house resistance to traditional antimicrobial agents used in livestock settings.

A collaboration between the Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre (SAGSC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), this project seeks to build a diagnostic pipelines of next generation sequencing data for the identification of BRD pathogens alongside relevant AMR associated with these pathogens.

What benefits can producers expect from this research?

This study will help inform disease surveillance and management to enhance cattle health and profitability.

How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?

Results will be shared on the BioNet Alberta website, through podcasts, and on social media.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.