Data from: Impact of maternal diet and pregnancy type on the abundance of zoonotic bacteria (Firmicutes and Proteobacteria) in sheep feces and wool

The large intestine healthy microbiota in sheep hosts pathogenic, but
mainly nonpathogenic bacteria, which are essential to intestinal
metabolism, contributing energy, antigens, and metabolites that positively
impact host physiology, immunity, and metabolism. However, this microbiota
also poses a public health risk due to fecal contamination in animal
products, such as wool. This study examined how maternal diet and
pregnancy type influence the relative abundance of zoonotic bacterial DNA
belonging to phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in sheep feces and wool.
In total, 18 Ile de France ewes, with 8 carrying twins and 10 single
lambs, were divided into two groups: one fed ad libitum on naturalized
pasture, the other given red clover hay plus lupine, from 45 days
prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Both fecal and wool samples were
collected from ewes and lambs four and three times, respectively, and
analyzed via qPCR for Firmicutes (Clostridium perfringens type C,
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus uberis,
Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus agalactiae) and Proteobacteria
(Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli serotype O157). Data were
analyzed using repeated measures two-way ANOVA. Results showed lower
bacterial abundance in fecal samples than in wool samples, with ewe’s wool
exhibiting a lower bacterial abundance compared with lamb’s wool.
Enterococcus faecalis (Firmicutes) and E. coli (Proteobacteria) were the
most prevalent bacteria, suggesting environmental contamination related to
sheep behavior. In summary, handling offspring from birth to weaning and
ewes until 60 days postpartum may increase zoonotic pathogen transmission
risk, raising public health concerns regarding exposure to intestinal
pathogenic bacteria.