Evaluation of gastrointestinal and fecal microbial communities as markers of liver abscess risk in beef feedlot cattle.

ABSTRACT: Liver abscesses (LAs) are a prevalent and costly issue in the beef industry. Microbial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract is believed to be the underlying cause of LAs. However, little is understood about the factors that permit the passage of bacteria into the portal bloodstream, or where in the gastrointestinal tract this translocation is likely to occur. This study used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbial community composition of the rumen, small intestine, large intestine, and feces of steers with edible and abscessed livers of varying severity. The small intestine of steers with severe LAs had increased (P = 0.02) richness and evenness compared to cattle with edible livers. However, there were no differences in the alpha diversity among samples collected

SUBMITTER: Young JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12267145 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature