SOW.pdf

Statement of Work (SOW)

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus/Pasteurella multocida co-infection model

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex is a multifactorial disease that can involve both viral and bacterial pathogens. While much knowledge has been gained regarding individual viral or bacterial pathogens involved in BRD, less is known concerning coinfections involving combinations of respiratory pathogens. In the present study, we will conduct experiments to examine viral predisposition to secondary bacterial infections in calves. For bacterial co-challenge, Pasteurella multocida was selected because it is considered to be highly opportunistic compared to Mannheimia haemolytica, which is much more capable of causing primary lung infection. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), one of the four major viruses isolated from BRD, will be used in this study as the viral pathogen. Hence, we will be determining whether infection with this combination of virus and bacteria given together will cause more severe disease than either organism alone

2.0 Background

BRD is considered the most costly disease facing cattle producers today. While much information has been delineated from decades of research on specific bovine respiratory pathogens, less is known regarding interactions between multiple pathogens comprising the BRD complex. Increasing our understanding of the interaction between specific viral and bacterial pathogens will further our ability to develop improved intervention strategies to reduce economic losses to cattle producers

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements for this purchase include:

• Breed – must be Holstein breed or Holstein Cross calves to reduce the genetic variation due to breed and to allow direct comparison across planned related studies.

• Age – 2 months of age at the time of delivery. Date of Birth needs to be verified prior to animal arrival by Animal Resources Unit.

• Males will be castrated and dehorned (healed) prior to arrival.

• Females will not be bred.

• Animals should be conventionally raised.

• Calves must come from a Tuberculosis Free herd.

• Calves shall demonstrate no signs of clinical illness.

• Calves shall have sound legs and good eyes.

• Calves shall be sourced from the same farm.

• Calves must be sourced from a farm within 100 miles of Ames to limit transport time of the animals on the trailer.

• Calves must be weaned prior to arrival to the NCAH

• Calves must be transported directly to NADC with no other

• animals in the trailer.

• 16 calves must be available with comparable size across the

• group of the same breed

• No Ring Worm on any animal – this must be verified by ARU prior to animal arrival

• No pink eye on any animal - this must be verified by ARU prior to animal arrival

• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required for all animals.

• Pre-Purchase blood work may be requested from the time of award until the arrival of animals if needed to check for vaccination titer level.

• Communication with any possible vendor from the time of solicitation to the arrival of animals must be had between Animal Resources Unit in Ames and the possible vendor. This communication may include group or individual animal health status, pre-purchase blood work results, housing and feeding information that could be subject to change within this time frame.

• Animal Resources Unit and the funding unit may exclude calves prior to arrival that do not meet the SOW requirements.

• To obtain 16 animals that meet the SOW specifications; the vendor may need to obtain a group larger than 16 to allow for alternate animals to replace any that become sick or do not meet the health requirements.

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Required on all animals.

• Animals shall be deliverable onsite in one delivery at USDA on or near March 2025.

• ARU personnel may pick up animals from the vendor if needed.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

4.0 Place of Delivery: USDA, 1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010

5.0 Technical Point of Contact: Denise Chapman: 515-337-7227

denise.chapman@usda.gov