Infectivity of bovine adenovirus type 5 recovered from a polyarthritic calf with weak calf syndrome.

Bovine adenovirus type 5, isolated from newborn calves with a polyarthritic disease known as "weak calf syndrome" caused a mild, self-limiting illness in susceptible calves. The induced illness was characterized by marked pyrexia and occasionally by mild diarrhea. It was concluded that the virus may contribute to morbidity and mortality associated with the weak calf syndrome by adding to the stress and debilitation caused by cold wet weather and by bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, which has also been isolated from tissues of calves affected with weak calf syndrome.     

一起犊牛脑膜炎的临床处置与分析思考

在犊牛初生疾病的诊治上,犊牛脑膜炎往往与犊牛低血糖症、弱犊症伴随发生,在临床诊断不确定、诊疗处置随意化的影响下,极易造成误诊误治,引起诊疗失败。为切实加强犊牛脑膜炎的诊治,本文就一起犊牛脑膜炎的临床诊治过程进行分析,并就发病机理、诊断思路和防控进行讨论,提出了相应的思考与见解,从根本上拓宽犊牛初生疾病诊断视野,提高犊牛疾病诊治成功率提供一定的参考借鉴。     

Isolation of a subgroup two adenovirus from calf with weak calf syndrome.

A viral agent, designated Id-1, was isolated from the buffy coat of a calf suffering from weak calf syndrome. The virus replicated on bovine salivary gland cells and caused cytopathic effect within four days after infection-Cytopathic effect was characterized by rounding and clumping of cells. Stained preparations of infected monolayers revealed multiple intranuclear inclusions. The agent was found to be resistant to chloroform, ether, trypsin, sodium desoxycholate, oxytetracycline and a pH range of three to nine. The virus was sensitive to 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and to a temperature of 70 degrees C. Cross neutralization tests with Id-1 antiserum and bovine adenovirus type 7 (strain Fujuroi) antiserum resulted in complete neutralilation of both viruses with four or less antibody units of homologous or heterologous antiserum.     

Stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome in dairy heifers: results of a pilot study

A pilot study of 10 Dutch dairy herds was performed to investigate possible causes of stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome in heifers. Possible causes and advice for further investigations on farms affected by this syndrome are discussed based on the results of investigations of blood and urine from pregnant young stock, postmortem examination of still-born calves, and a questionnaire held among farmers. Infections with Neospora caninum, Salmonella spp. or Leptospira hardjo, or a deficiency of iodine could be excluded.     

Diabetes mellitus in a 6-month-old Charolais heifer calf

This unthrifty heifer calf was thin, weak and had a dull haircoat. Urinalysis and blood work revealed glycosuria, ketonuria, hypoproteinemia, and hyperglycemia. Euthanasia and necropsy were performed, revealing multifocal intersitial lymphocytic infiltration, an absence of islet cells, and a positive stain for bovine viral diarrhea virus in the pancreas.     

Brachyspina syndrome in a Holstein calf.

A stillborn premature Holstein calf was necropsied. The calf had severely reduced body weight and shortening of the vertebral column. The limbs appeared long and thin. Radiography and computer tomography scanning were performed, demonstrating malformation of the vertebral column. In addition, malformation of the kidneys, testicles, and heart was found at necropsy. Histologically, absence or incomplete development of intervertebral discs and complete or partial fusion of the epiphyses of adjacent vertebrae were found. In some areas, diaphyses of adjacent vertebrae were fused due to absence of epiphyses and intervertebral discs. Disturbed ossification of epiphyses in the appendicular skeleton was also present. The etiology of this syndrome was not identified. An inherited cause is possible due to a close relationship between the parents.     

Stillbirth/perinatal weak calf syndrome: a study of calves infected with Leptospira

Leptospiral infection has been reported in calves which were either stillborn or dead from perinatal weak calf syndrome; 356 such calves were examined for evidence of associations between leptospiral infection and macroscopic, histological and microbiological findings, and the parity of the dam. Calves in which leptospiral antigen was detected in the placenta were significantly lighter by an average of 6 to 10 kg than calves with no antigen in the placenta. Calves infected with Leptospira were more likely to be infected by Actinomyces pyogenes or Bacillus species. No other significant associations were detected. The adrenal gland, lung and placenta were the most useful organs to examine for leptospiral antigen. The placenta was the only antigen-positive tissue 8.9 per cent of the calves submitted with their placenta.     

Isolation of Neospora caninum from a calf in Malaysia

In order to attempt isolate the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum, an N. caninum seropositive pregnant Sahiwal Friesian cross heifer from a large-scale dairy farm in Malaysia was kept for observation until parturition at the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh. The heifer gave birth to a female calf that was weak, underweight and unable to rise. Precolostral serum from the calf had an N. caninum indirect fluorescent antibody test titre of 1:3200. It died 12 h after birth and necropsy was performed. Brain homogenate from the calf was inoculated into 10 BALB/c mice that were kept for 3 months after which brain tissue from the mice was inoculated onto 24 h fresh monolayer Vero cell lines. The cell cultures were examined daily until growth of intracellular protozoa was observed. DNA of the organisms from the cell cultures was analyzed by PCR and DNA sequencing. DNA fragments of the expected size were amplified from the isolate using N. caninum-specific primers, and sequence analysis of ITS1 clearly identified the isolate as N. caninum. This is the first successful isolation of N. caninum from a bovine in Malaysia, and the isolate is designated Nc-MalB1.     

Case report: congenital myoclonus in a German Holstein calf

A female German Holstein calf was not able to stand up after birth. Resting the animal was lying in normal position and could lift its head. Sensory stimuli like auditory or tactile impulses induced myoclonic jerking of the whole body. Afterwards it calmed down quickly. The signs observed correspond to the clinical findings of congenital myoclonus in poll Hereford calves. The pathological examination revealed no indications for changes in organs. The inbreeding coefficient of the calf was 1.56 %. The present type of congenital myoclonus in the calf examined is likely to be genetically determined, even if the point mutation in exon 2 of the glycin receptor alpha 1 gene was not confirmed.     

Atypical hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome in a calf.

An 8-day-old male Angus calf was presented to the University of Illinois, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Urbana, IL, for lethargy, weakness, and poor suckle reflex. Clinical evaluation revealed a strong left-sided heart murmur and a split S2 sound. The calf died within 48 hours. Necropsy revealed a combination of the following cardiac defects: left ventricular hypoplasia, high ventricular septal defect, left auricular atresia with mitral valve aplasia, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, and pulmonary trunk atresia. Mild suppurative pneumonia with pulmonary edema and congestion were also present. This combination of defects appears to be similar to the hypoplastic left heart syndrome in humans and is reported here for the first time in cattle.     

Bronchopneumonia and polyarthritis due to Mycoplasma bovis in a calf

This case report describes gross lesions and histopathological findings in a 3-months-old calf originating from a feedlot with approximately 400 cattle. In this animal and additional 14 cattle of similar age, which were kept together in the same stable, swollen joints had occurred suddenly. The examination of this calf showed that a severe polyarthritis induced by haematogenous spread of Mycoplasma bovis following bronchopenumonia was present, which was characterised by necrotising lesions of the joint capsules and severe cartilage erosions.     

Combined immunodeficiency in a calf

Combined immunodeficiency was documented in a 6-week-old Angus calf. The calf had lymphopenia, undetectable serum IgM or IgA, and low concentrations of serum IgG (420 mg/dl). The calf was treated for diarrhea, pneumonia, and shock, and was given antimicrobial drugs, fluids, and plasma. The calf died of systemic candidiasis and Escherichia coli bacteremia. Aggregated lymphatic folliculi (Peyer patches), lymph nodes, and thymic and splenic lymphoid tissue could not be identified at necropsy.     

Toxoplasmosis in a calf.

Gross post mortem and histopathological changes are described in a calf with toxoplasmosis. The major pathological changes were restricted to the lungs and kidneys and comprised interstitial pneumonia with multifocal necrosis, and glomerular necrosis. Many pseudocysts were present in both organs. The calf had been in close contact with young cats, one of which was killed and examined and shown to have a high antibody titre to Toxoplasma gondii, although there was little histological evidence of infection. No antibodies to toxoplasma were detected in serum from the dam of the calf, and accordingly, it is suggested that the cat was the source of infection for the calf.     

Atresia coli in a twin calf

Atresia coli was diagnosed in a newborn calf. The calf was an identical twin, as evidenced by identical blood type and identical electrophoretic patterns for hemoglobin, transferrin, and amylase. The other calf was clinically normal. The calves resulted from embryo transfer and represented cleavage of a single embryo in the recipient animal. These findings indicate atresia coli in this calf was probably not hereditary.     

Scanning electron microscopy of the small intestine of a normal unsuckled calf and a calf with enteric colibacillosis.

Sections of the small intestine were taken under general anaesthesia from a normal calf and from a calf with enteric colibacillosis and examined by scanning electron and light microscopy. In the normal calf villi were long and oval throughout the intestine and in the challenged calf there was villous stunting and fusion in the distal small intestine.     

Cystic nasal concha in a calf

Unilateral cystic nasal concha was diagnosed in a 6-month-old Brangus male calf by use of endoscopy, radiography, and histologic examination. Cystic nasal conchae have been excised via dorsolateral rhinotomy, but the lesion in the calf of this report was excised transnasally, with considerable ease, using obstetric wire. Postoperative complications did not develop, and the calf was reportedly in good health 3 months after discharge.     

Harlequin ichthyosis in a HanWoo calf

Ichthyosis (fish scale disease) is a rare hereditary disease and characterized by excessive cutaneous scale formation. A male HanWoo calf born by natural service was found with fissures and thickened, scaly, cutaneous plates covering over 90% of its body. Histopathological feature was excess compact orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis involving surface of the epidermis and follicular epithelia. The calf had small malformed ears, ectropion, eclabium and an abnormal nose. Gross and histopathologic findings in calf were consistent with those of harlequin ichthyosis, and it was the first observed harlequin ichthyosis in HanWoo cattle.     

Isolation of a cytopathic calf rotavirus.

The isolation and serial passage in secondary and continuous cultures of calf kidney cells of a cytopathic calf rotavirus is described.     

Central nervous system and vertebral malformation resembling the Arnold-Chiari syndrome in a Simmental calf.

Multiple congenital anomalies were identified in a stillborn calf, including severe cerebellar hypoplasia and central nervous system abnormalities resembling the Arnold-Chiari syndrome of malformation of calves. The Arnold-Chiari malformation occurs sporadically and has little economic impact, whereas cerebellar hypoplasia implies the presence of BVD virus in the herd.     

Lactation in a calf

Extract

An Ayrshire heifer calf, 10 days old, which had been lactating from the day of birth.