# Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria: Exposures and Health of Cattle Workers

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $594,607

## Abstract

Abstract
Livestock workers are at the frontline of exposure to agriculture-generated bioaerosols containing a diverse
mixture of respiratory pathogens. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in agriculture has been posited as a
potential driver in the accelerated development of antibiotic resistant genes (ARG). Animal handling, waste
management, and bioaerosol generation may contribute to relatively high personal exposure to antibiotic
resistant bacteria (ARB) on farms. The short- and long-term health effects of these bacteria are currently
unknown. Moreover, workers may act as a vector – disseminating ARG and viruses. Specifically, cattle workers
are at greater risk of Influenza D virus, an emerging pathogen associated with acute respiratory disease. The
workers may also pose a threat to the animals, such as introducing strains of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis
(TB). We propose to address critical questions that remain about the impacts of worker exposure to respiratory
pathogens and transmission to animals, farms and the larger community. The eighteen year collaborative
research program conducted by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety and
regional dairy and beef producers offers a unique opportunity to investigate the role of workplace exposure on
human-hosted bacterial communities (microbiome), associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARG, or resistome)
and respiratory viruses (virome) and respiratory health in cattle workers. The research objective is to ascertain
if ARG and viruses are underlying risk factors for subclinical markers of respiratory inflammation. The central
hypothesis is that the nasal microbiome of cattle workers will have distinct microbial communities and genetic
constitution that are associated with measurable levels of inflammation and airway resistance as compared to
occupational controls and housemates. The specific aims are to: (1) compare and contrast the composition of
the microbiome, resistome, and virome among dairy and beef workers; (2) model exposure-response
relationships in the context of microbiome, resistome, virome and inflammatory markers and airway resistance
among dairy and beef workers; and (3) ascertain subclinical health impacts of shared microbiome, resistome,
and virome between occupational and household settings. This project unites scientists with expertise in
occupational health and exposure science, epidemiology, microbiology, genetics, and bioinformatics. This study
will contribute to greater awareness of workplace exposures and transmission of ARG and emerging viruses
among dairy and beef workers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10227645
- **Project number:** 5R01OH012046-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sheryl Magzamen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $594,607
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10227645

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10227645, Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria: Exposures and Health of Cattle Workers (5R01OH012046-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10227645. Licensed CC0.

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