Rumen Fermentation and Pathogen Control

• Pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 can be present in the rumen contents of healthy cattle.

• In some cases these pathogens can survive the acidic conditions of the abomasum (i.e. the gastric stomach) and colonize the lower gastro-intestinal tract.

• Some nutritional factors, such as the lower rumen pH of grain-fed animals, can lead to pathogenic bacteria becoming acid tolerant and therefore increase their ability survive acidic conditions such as those found in the abomasum.

• It is not clear if this increased acid tolerance has any practical significance as several studies have shown no effect of grain in the diet on increased shedding of pathogens by cattle.

•  However, bacterial direct-fed microbials have been shown to be effective in controlling growth of both acid sensitive and acid tolerant pathogens in rumen fluid, and they have other effects in the intestinal tract that increase their effectiveness as pathogen control interventions.

• These interventions are effective in both improving the intestinal health of the animal and addressing the ever increasing food safety concerns.

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