Kerli Mõtus, dedicated to calf respiratory research: I am a very happy person because I am working on my dream project

Ensuring the good health of calves is one of the biggest challenges in cattle farming. Just like human children, calves are often affected by various respiratory diseases. When we face such problems, we consult a doctor who conducts several diagnostic tests to determine a more precise diagnosis and treatment plan—such as gathering clinical examination data, taking chest X-rays, and measuring inflammation markers from blood samples.

However, in the case of productive animals, the use of diagnostic tests on farms is limited. The diagnostics and treatment plans for individual animals are generally based on clinical signs and lung auscultation. These methods are not sensitive enough to determine the location, severity, and pathogens involved in the inflammation—whether it is just a viral “cold” or bacterial pneumonia.

This means that a calf with bacterial pneumonia might not receive antibiotic treatment in time, or conversely, a calf with a simple cold might be treated with unnecessary medications. Additionally, there is global pressure to justify and reduce antibiotic use.

Another issue in diagnosing respiratory diseases in calves is the identification of causative viruses and bacteria. We have fairly good capabilities for investigating different pathogens in the lab, but especially in the case of viral infections, the veterinarian must specifically order the tests.

This requires the veterinarian to have an initial suspicion of certain infections at the time of sample collection, which are then investigated in the laboratory. Often, the result is that the suspected infections are not detected in the sample, raising questions about whether the sample was collected correctly or whether the disease was caused by an infection that was not tested for.

A relatively new method—sequencing biological material—has opened up previously unavailable possibilities in veterinary medicine to investigate the genetic material of the entire microbial community in a sample, without bias. This method analyzes the genetic material of all microorganisms collectively rather than individually. This means that the veterinarian does not have to choose which infections to analyze.

Through these studies, entirely new viral infections have been identified in cattle, of which we previously had no information regarding their existence or pathogenicity. The conclusions of these studies have often shown that the known pathogens we routinely test for in labs are rarely detected, while new infections and their combinations are present in the disease complex. However, sequencing studies in cattle are still few, and different populations often reveal different combinations whose pathogenicity needs further investigation.

Our research focuses on clarifying these two issues. First, we aim to contribute to the diagnostics of bovine respiratory diseases, and second, to the investigation of pathogens. We have implemented ultrasound examinations of calf lung tissue. Thanks to this, we have found that a significant portion of calves suffer from bacterial pneumonia without showing any clinical signs.

We are also investigating the ability of various inflammation markers to describe the health of calf lung tissue. In the future, the determination of such a sensitive marker could be used in rapid diagnostics. This would help veterinarians determine whether a calf has severe pneumonia that requires immediate antibacterial treatment or if the inflammation is in the upper respiratory tract, where supportive treatment would suffice and the animal would be kept under observation.

Additionally, we aim to clarify the role of different virus and bacterial communities in the development of respiratory diseases through sequencing studies. The identification of new pathogens could allow the pharmaceutical industry to develop new vaccines; and if protective bacterial communities against disease development are identified, probiotics containing these could be produced and administered to the respiratory tract.

We have begun implementing thoracic ultrasound examinations for calves and offer training and support to Estonian veterinarians for this purpose. This has significantly broadened our understanding of pneumonia epidemiology in our herds and allowed for the rapid identification of calves needing treatment. Prompt and effective treatment ensures the recovery of calves and, consequently, reduces the spread of pathogens within the herd.

Raising awareness of the issue has driven improvements in farm conditions and the implementation of procedures that support calf health, resulting in healthier animals.

In the context of overall health, this translates to justified and reduced use of antibiotics, which is also associated with a lower risk of developing drug resistance. It is well known that drug resistance does not recognize boundaries between humans and animals.

A healthier herd also means better animal welfare, longer herd retention, and, consequently, a smaller environmental impact associated with livestock management, which is important for both the sector and society at large.

On a broader scale, I am deeply concerned about the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is unimaginable what Ukrainians have had to endure due to the war, including human rights violations, brutal violence, and insecurity that has affected the nation. The sacrifices being made by people currently fighting to defend their homeland are beyond our comprehension. It is inconceivable, yet unfortunately real, that such evil exists today, driven by personal ambition to wield weapons and disrupt and destroy the lives of innocent people.

On a local level, I am most worried about the underfunding of our social system, particularly regarding services for people with special needs and mental health services.

Certain social benefits do not ensure a dignified standard of living for those in need. The shortage of social workers and other specialists complicates access to these services. Simply put, in Estonia, a family with two earners can manage at least reasonably well. However, single parents, people with special needs, their caregivers, single pensioners, and others in similar situations often have to manage with extremely limited resources. I believe that society should place greater value on and support those in need.

I came to science by chance. After completing my veterinary studies, I worked as a veterinarian at the Estonian University of Life Sciences’ productive animal clinic. We were asked to help with sample collection for a research project. Over the course of a year, I visited more than 100 dairy farms in Estonia, collected data and samples. At one point, it became clear that they wanted to involve a PhD student in this project, and I was offered the opportunity. Despite my doubts and uncertainties about whether I could handle it, I found the topic and the world of science very exciting, so I decided to accept the offer. I have not regretted that decision.

Being a scientist involves creativity, practical insight, and a lack of routine and comfort. All research projects start with an idea that must address a practical need and be innovative. Generating such ideas requires broad prior knowledge, an understanding of the sector’s dynamics, daily life, and its needs, as well as creative thinking and often a bit of philosophizing and dreaming.

In the world of science, new things are happening in your field every day; information is continuously updated, which often means that the project written during the application phase is already “outdated” by the time the project begins. Not to mention the challenge of implementing a project exactly as planned over five years. Therefore, one must be flexible and adaptable, and not get stuck in preconceived models.

Although one might think that science communication is predominantly one-way – where the scientist knows and speaks – it is actually centered around dialogue, requiring good communication skills. No research project can be applied for or research article published without undergoing what might be termed “critical scrutiny” by other, often anonymous, scientists. Practitioners also question why the topic is important and how it helps; the public sector explores how to make better decisions based on this new knowledge.

Today, conducting research requires well-functioning, often interdisciplinary teams that may work in different institutions and countries. Assembling, coordinating, and motivating such an intellectually capable and ambitious team requires leadership skills from the project leader.

Implementing research projects is never a linear series of successes; there are always setbacks behind the scenes. Thus, a scientist must be good at handling stress, firmly grounded, and sometimes a good psychologist for themselves and their colleagues. In summary, being a scientist requires the continuous application of a diverse range of qualities and skills, making the work both challenging and exciting.

Scientific work consists of many “cornerstones” – from the project’s approval, which allows you to start working, to assembling the team, achieving initial successes, publishing articles, giving presentations, and receiving recognition. But for every success, there are as many, if not more, setbacks, both large and small. Life has taught me to proceed step by step and to recognize and enjoy every success along the way. Failures should not be disheartening; they should be analyzed and learned from, moving forward with greater wisdom.

Therefore, I cannot single out any achievement that has made me particularly proud. The youngest members of the team, the PhD students, are the most enthusiastic yet the most vulnerable (I believe due to their limited experience, combined with ambition and a desire for perfection). I always take the guidance of these members as the greatest challenge and responsibility. Every one of their successes, whether it is a published article, a successful presentation, or a defended dissertation, makes me particularly happy. On a daily basis, their satisfaction and enthusiasm are what make me feel that everything is going well and that we are moving in the right direction.

I am a very happy person because I can say that the project I am currently working on is my dream project.

As a practitioner, I advise cattle herds when they have issues with calf health or infectious diseases, and I have always been troubled by the fact that I lack some part of the knowledge needed to analyze the problem. And it’s not just me; it’s the entire world.

We probably know only a small fraction of calf respiratory diseases, and yet we now have new tools to study this topic more effectively. Therefore, the scientific ideas behind my project have come from real-world practice, and I know that the answers obtained from this project will also help me do better work for our herds in the future.

As is often the case in scientific work, new questions will certainly arise over the next five years while carrying out this project. Therefore, I hope to dedicate a significant portion of my working life to follow-up projects on this topic.