Detection and Prevalence of Bibersteinia trehalosi in Feedlot Cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bibersteinia trehalosi (B. trehalosi) in feedlot cattle, as well as develop an improved method of detection via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Nasopharyngeal swab samples were taken from cattle, located in five different Kansas feedlots, providing 188 samples. The samples were tested for B. trehalosi, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis by conventional culture methods. DNA was extracted from the original swab sample transport media. After extraction the samples were run on qPCR using an assay that was developed as part of this study. It was determined that the assay will need further optimization to enhance the sensitivity and specificity to B. trehalosi. Overall one B. trehalosi was detected, indicating a low prevalence among the samples analyzed.