Farm Biosecurity Measures and Interventions with an Impact on Bacterial Biofilms

Abstract

Farm biosecurity management includes a set of practical measures used to prevent and limit the spread of infections to humans and animals. Infections, predominantly caused by zoonotic agents, often occur due to a lack of safety standards monitoring on farms, but also because of the use of inappropriate antimicrobial products leading to bacterial resistance, tolerance to biocides and the emergence antimicrobial-resistant germs. To date, research was mainly focused on studying the antimicrobial resistance in bacterial biofilms and the mechanisms involved in their occurrence. At molecular level, the limited diffusion of biocides in the biofilm matrix, enzyme-mediated resistance, genetic adaptation, efflux pumps, and levels of metabolic activity inside the biofilm are some of the investigated biological mechanisms which can promote antimicrobial resistance in biofilms were also investigated. Interventions, based on the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds, that would exclude the occurrence of bacterial tolerance, including essential oils (oregano, cloves), organic acids (tannic & oleic acid) and natural plant compounds (e.g. alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and coumarins) were also extensively studied and reviewed given their effectiveness against pathogen-produced biofilms. The aim of this review was emphasize the importance of biosecurity and farm management practices and to assess their impact on bacterial biofilm formation. Furthermore, we present the recent intervention strategies aimed at reducing and combating the formation of bacterial biofilms in livestock farms.

A Comprehensive Review of the Common Bacterial Infections in Dairy Calves and Advanced Strategies for Health Management

“…Good management practices in harvesting, storing, and feeding the animals prevent diseases associated with enterotoxic clostridia. 63 , 64 …”

Alternatives to Antimicrobial Treatment in Bovine Mastitis Therapy: A Review

“…The prevention of infectious diseases is important for animal health, welfare, and production efficiency [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Although this risk can never be totally avoided, it can at least be minimized by the implementation of preventive and control strategies based on improved therapeutic protolocols, hygiene, biosecurity strategies, etc.…”

“…When it comes to prevention, biosecurity measures minimize the risk of new pathogens entering a farm, their transmission within the farm [ 28 , 29 ], and antibiotic usage [ 25 ]. Researchers are trying to develop and implement biosecurity tools.…”

Biosafety and biosecurity challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

“…To address the above mentioned challenges, it is important to invest in building the necessary resources and infrastructure in a one-health setting, as well as in increasing awareness, education, and training about the importance of biosafety and biosecurity measures (Butucel et al, 2022). Additionally, international cooperation and collaboration are essential in sharing knowledge, best practices and resources to improve the implementation of these measures, particularly in low and lower middle-income countries.…”