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Respiratory Disease Control and Sustainable Livestock Production

Respiratory Disease Control and Sustainable Livestock Production

Dr. Brian Aldridge, BVSc, MS, PhD, Dip ACVIM (Large Animal), MRCVS

Instructors: Dr. Jim Lowe, DVM, MS, Dip ABVP (Food Animal)

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Adopt a host-centric approach to managing infectious respiratory disease in livestock
Understand the contribution of host structure and function in respiratory health and disease
Apply an understanding of host physiology in identifying, localizing and quantifying respiratory disease in livestock
Appreciate the structural and functional features of microbes that determine their disease producing capability (virulence) in the respiratory system

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

The globalization of trade and human movement, the expansion of political and economic uncertainty, the speed, scale and nature of predicted global growth, and a wide range of public health issues, have raised concerns regarding the sustainability and security of animal-source food production systems around the world. Animal disease in farmed livestock is important with regard to food safety, animal welfare, and in view of the economic importance of animal-source food production in many countries.

Respiratory disease continues to be one of the greatest sources of loss, and hence lack of sustainability, to livestock production systems around the world. In this course, we will explore the factors that contribute to respiratory disease in livestock systems and practical tools to limit its impact on food system sustainability. We will review the basics of respiratory physiology, immunology, and pathology along with how the commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms interact in food production ecosystems to prevent or promote respiratory disease.

Module details

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

In this first week of the course, we will explore how using a host-centric view of a disease can lead to a greater understanding of respiratory disease in livestock production systems. Lessons this week will provide an overview of all of the key concepts that will be covered in the course to help you understand how each of the aspects of respiratory disease management is interrelated. By the end of the week, you will have a high-level understanding of the knowledge, skills and thought processes needed to successfully manage respiratory disease.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 53 minutes

1.1 | It's Not About the Bugs2 minutes
1.2 | Understanding the Impact of Respiratory Disease on Food Production Systems6 minutes
1.3 | Applying a Holistic View To Disease Management9 minutes
1.4 | Normal Function of the Lung and Alterations with Disease8 minutes
1.5 | Assessing Changes in the Host to Measure Disease7 minutes
1.6 | Pathogens and Their Interrelationships that Lead to Infectious Respiratory Disease8 minutes
1.7 | Intervention Strategies to Address Infectious Respiratory Disease7 minutes
1.8 | Understanding Disease at the Herd Level5 minutes
Conclusion: It's Not About the Bugs1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 1 Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 120 minutes

Week 1 Discussion120 minutes

This week we will explore the normal function of the lung in a healthy animal. We will use this understanding of normal as a foundation for all of the pathology and disease that we will talk about in the remainder of the course. Subjects covered this week will include: air movement physics, gas exchange, control of the respiratory system, and host defenses in the respiratory tract. We will review both anatomy, physiology and immunology of each of these key processes.

What's included

15 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

15 videosTotal 124 minutes

2.1 | Wonderful Airways1 minute
2.2 | Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory Tract11 minutes
2.3 | Cells of the Respiratory Tract4 minutes
2.4 | Development of the Respiratory System11 minutes
2.5 | How Does Air Reach the Lungs? 12 minutes
2.6 | Anatomy and Physiology of Pulmonary Circulation10 minutes
2.7 | Mechanisms of Hypoxemia7 minutes
2.8 | How are Gases Transported to the Tissues?13 minutes
2.9 | How are Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchanged? 11 minutes
2.10 | How are Breathing and Respiration Controlled?7 minutes
2.11 | How is the Respiratory System Physically Protected from Injurious Agents?10 minutes
2.12 | How is the Lung Protected from Pathogen Challenges?12 minutes
2.13 | How Particles are Managed by the Respiratory Tract6 minutes
2.14 | Implications of Lung Structure and Function for Health Management9 minutes
Conclusion: Wonderful Airways1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 50 minutes

Week 2 Quiz50 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 2 Peer Exploration Project120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 120 minutes

Week 2 Discussion120 minutes

This week we will explore the pathogens involved in respiratory disease of livestock. By the end of the week you will understand how pathogens interact to create a disease complex, how pathogens cause disease, how cell tropisms affects clinical signs, what pathogens infect the upper and lower airways and what tools we have to understand what pathogens are present. In addition to the main lectures, there are supplemental materials to explore the specifics of important diseases in cattle and swine and resources to help you understand diagnostic assays and sample collection techniques.

What's included

14 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

14 videosTotal 100 minutes

3.1 | Waging War1 minute
3.2 | It's Not Just One Bug8 minutes
3.3 | Mechanisms of Viral Pathogenesis10 minutes
3.4 | Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis8 minutes
3.5 | Why Do Certain Pathogens Cause Certain Pathologies at Certain Locations9 minutes
3.6 | Airway Pathogens: Viruses11 minutes
3.7 | Airway Pathogens: Bacteria6 minutes
3.8 | Airway Pathogens: Mycoplasma6 minutes
3.9 | Lung Parenchyma Pathogens: Swine Viruses8 minutes
3.10 | Bovine Respiratory Pathogens: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus5 minutes
3.11 | Lung Parenchyma Pathogens: Bacteria8 minutes
3.12 | Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract: Poultry12 minutes
3.13 | Pathogens of the Respiratory Tract: Small Ruminants6 minutes
Conclusion: Waging War1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Week 3 Quiz60 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 3 Peer Exploration Project120 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 120 minutes

Week 3 Discussion120 minutes

In this week of the course, we delve into the therapeutic management of infectious respiratory disease, with a focus on how antimicrobial selection is informed by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. We will examine the critical role of host immune status and tissue pathology in determining treatment outcomes, and consider how management strategies can support host defenses and promote recovery. Through lectures and applied case discussions, you’ll gain practical tools for selecting and using therapeutics effectively in both individual and population-level contexts.

What's included

11 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 64 minutes

4.1 | Gaining The Upper Hand1 minute
4.2 | Principles of Therapeutic Management of Infectious Respiratory Disease5 minutes
4.3 | The Necessity of Immunity in Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks9 minutes
4.4 | The History and Development of Antimicrobials for Use in Food Animal Production Medicine6 minutes
4.5 | Pharmacological Principles of Antimicrobials10 minutes
4.6 | Classification of Antimicrobials9 minutes
4.7 | The Application of Case Definitions in Respiratory Disease Therapeutics (Early Detection)7 minutes
4.8 | Practical Approaches to Population-Level Therapeutics in Respiratory Disease Outbreaks4 minutes
4.9 | Antimicrobials and Sustainable Food Production5 minutes
Conclusion: Gaining The Upper Hand1 minute
Breathe Easy8 minutes