Molecular identification of Erysipelothrix isolates from the tonsils of healthy cattle by PCR

For 79 isolates from the tonsils of healthy cattle identified as Erysipelothrix by cultivation, biochemical and serological tests, genotypic identification was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using four species-specific sets of oligonucleotide primers (ER1F-ER1R, ER2F-ER2R, ER3F-ER3R and ER4F-ER4R). The results of PCR for 79 bovine isolates were compared with those of serological typing. For 19 isolates, serotyping and genotyping results were the same. PCR allowed for the identification of 36 untypable isolates as Erysipelothrix species, strain 1. Serotyping and genotyping results of the remaining 24 isolates were different. Supplemental tests are frequently needed for Erysipelothrix identification.     

Distribution of the lingual lymphoid tissue in domestic ruminants

The distribution and organisation of the intralingual lymphoid tissue was studied in sheep, goat and cattle. For each species, the tongues of two animals were harvested and divided in sample blocks extending over the total surface of the tongue. With 2.5 mm intervals, ten serial histological sections were made for conventional histological staining (haematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson, Masson's trichrome) and immunohistochemical staining of lymphoid cells (anti-CD3, anti-CD21, anti-CD45). Lymphocytes were scattered in the subepithelial propria-submucosa and in the connective tissue cores of the lingual papillae. The connective tissue cores of fungiform papillae, including those located on the lingual apex, and vallate papillae showed relatively more lymphocytes than the propria-submucosa. Lymphoid cell aggregations were even more abundant beneath the grooves surrounding the vallate papillae in small ruminants. In cattle, a well-organised lingual tonsil was additionally found at the root of the tongue. CD3-positive lymphocytes were observed in all species examined. CD21-positive lymphocytes were numerous in the lymphoid nodules of the bovine lingual tonsil but very scarce in the ovine and caprine tongues. Therefore, the lymphoid cell aggregations in the tongues of small ruminants should not be referred to by the term 'lingual tonsil'.     

Pathogenicity for mice and swine of Erysipelothrix isolates from the tonsils of healthy cattle

The pathogenicity of 79 Erysipelothrix isolates from bovine tonsils for mice and swine was determined. Five (6.3%) isolates were lethal for mice. These isolates belonged to serovars 1b (one isolate), 2 (2), 19 (1) and 21 (1). The 50% lethal dose values of the isolates ranged from 0.33 to 5x10(2) CFUs in mice. Twenty Erysipelothrix isolates (25.3%) were weakly virulent inducing only emaciation while 12 (15.2%) inducing emaciation and ruffled hair. In swine, clinical signs of varying severity were observed. Four isolates were virulent, capable of inducing localized or generalized urticarial lesions accompanied with a rise in body temperature after intradermal inoculation. One isolate each of serovars 1b, 2 and 19 was highly virulent, capable of inducing generalized urticarial lesions while another Erysipelothrix isolate of serovar 2 induced only a localized urticarial lesion at the site of inoculation. Another isolate of serovar 1b induced itching and irritation without obvious urticarial lesion at the site of inoculation. On the other hand, one isolate of serovar 21 and two other isolates of serovar 2 could not induce experimentally any clinical sign of erysipelas other than rise in body temperature. There was a rise in growth agglutination (GA) titer of serum in all the inoculated swine. These observations suggest that Erysipelothrix isolates from cattle are pathogenic for mouse and swine, and may also be pathogenic for other animals and humans.     

Serovars of Erysipelothrix species isolated from the tonsils of healthy cattle in Japan.

Serovars of 79 Erysipelothrix isolates recovered from the tonsils of healthy slaughtered cattle over a 1-year period in Japan were determined by an agar double-diffusion precipitation system using typing sera representing all the known serovars, 1 through 23 and type N, of Erysipelothrix. A total of 43 out of the 79 Erysipelothrix isolates could be classified into nine serovars but the remaining 36 isolates were untypable. Of 42 isolates identified as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, 4, 6, 2, 3, 1,12, 13 and 1 isolates belonged to serovars 1b, 2, 5, 9, 12, 13, 19 and 21, respectively. One isolate belonged to Erysipelothrix tonsillarum serovar 3.     

Isolation of Staphylococcus species from the tonsils of healthy cattle and phage patterns of isolates

Staphylococci were found in the tonsils of 121 (75.2%) of 161 cattle. There were 15 different species, 10 belonging to novobiocin-sensitive species. The most predominant species was S. simulans (79.3% of the 121 carriers), followed by S. aureus (20.7%), S. chromogenes (10.7%) and S. epidermidis (8.3%). The other 11 species were present in 0.8 to 5.8%. Twenty-six unidentifiable isolates were isolated from 26 (21.5%) carriers. Sixty-two (51.2%) of the 121 carriers yielded two to five Staphylococcus species together while only one species could be found in each of the other 59 (48.8%). Combinations of S. simulans and other species were most frequently encountered in 50 (41.3%) of the 121 carriers. Twenty-four (96.0%) out of 25 S. aureus isolates, 3 (42.9%) of 7 S. hyicus isolates and 45 (25.4%) of 177 coagulase-negative staphylococci (13 species and unidentifiable isolates) isolates were phage typable. Most of S. aureus isolates were lysed by bovine phages 119 (n = 16) or 116 (n = 5). Thirty-three (25.4%) of 45 coagulase-negative staphylococci typable isolates with Pulverer's phage set showed the phage pattern ph5/ph9/ph10/ph12/ph13/U4/U14/U16/++ +U20/U46. The tonsils of cattle thus appear to be a suitable environment for Staphylococcus species, particularly novobiocin-sensitive species.     

Distribution and environmental risk factors for paratuberculosis in dairy cattle herds in Michigan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of paratuberculosis among dairy cattle herds and to identify associated soil-related risk factors. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum and soil samples for 121 Michigan dairy herds. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected from cows at each farm and tested for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, using an antibody ELISA. Soil samples were collected from pastures and exercise lots; pH and available iron content were determined. A questionnaire was administered to collect data regarding farm management practices and productivity. RESULTS: 55% of the herds tested had > or = 2 M paratuberculosis-positive cattle. Adjusting sample prevalence for distribution of herd size strata yielded a statewide herd prevalence of 54%. Of 3,886 cattle tested, 267 had positive results. Prevalence of test-positive cattle was 6.9%. For every part per million (ppm) increase in soil iron content, there was a 1.4% increase in the risk of a herd being test-positive. An increase in soil pH of 0.1 was associated with a 5% decrease and an increase in soil iron content of 10 ppm was associated with a 4% increase in the number of test-positive cattle. Application of lime to pasture areas was associated with a herd being only 10% as likely to be paratuberculosis positive and with a 72% reduction in number of test-positive cattle. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prevalence of paratuberculosis-positive dairy herds in Michigan (54%) was greater than expected, but prevalence of paratuberculosis-positive cattle (6.9%) was within anticipated values. These prevalences were associated positively with acidic soil and increased soil iron content. Application of lime to pasture areas was associated with reduced risk of paratuberculosis.     

Distribution of Brucella abortus in infected cattle

Experimentally and naturally infected cattle were examined bacteriologically to determine the anatomical distribution of specimens yielding Brucella abortus. In 91 experimentally infected pregnant cows, examined 3 to 4.5 months after conjunctival challenge during pregnancy, the most frequently infected specimen was the mammary (syn. supramammary) lymph node. All experimentally infected cows could be identified from cultures of the mammary, mandibular (syn. submaxillary), medial iliac, caudal superficial cervical (syn. prescapular) lymph nodes and uterine caruncles, cotyledons or foetal tissues. Forty-six naturally infected cows were examined and again the most frequently infected specimen was the mammary lymph node. All naturally infected cows could be identified from cultures of the mammary, parotid, mandibular and subiliac (syn. prefemoral) lymph nodes. The distribution of infected specimens was somewhat different in heifers. In 61 naturally infected heifers the most frequently infected specimen was the mandibular lymph node but 8 other specimens would have been required to enable identification of all infected heifers. Specimens from 3 infected bulls were cultured and 11 of the 12 specimens examined were infected in at least one of the bulls. The most frequently infected tissues were the mandibular, caudal superficial cervical, subiliac and scrotal lymph nodes. The results suggest which specimens should be selected for culture, particularly when only a limited amount of effort can be expended.     

Distribution of Onchocerca spp. microfilariae in the dermis of cattle

A grid was drawn on a lateral half of 10 hides, from cattle infected with both Onchocerca gutturosa and Onchocerca lienalis, which were obtained from an abattoir in central Florida. Paired 7-mm diameter skin cores were taken from 24 grid sites on each hide and microfilariae (mff) extracted to determine their distribution. The only consistent pattern distribution was that mff were recovered from all 10 hides at four sample sites along the ventral midline near the umbilicus. Microfilariae were also frequently found in large numbers along the dorsal cervical midline and in the region of the tarsal and carpal-metacarpal joints.     

活牛、牛肉与生产原料比价关系分析

【目的】为掌握肉牛生产及其产品市场价格波动规律,了解牛产业各环节收益和波动情况,及时为生产指导提供科学依据。 【方法】选择在张掖市辖区内设置10个畜产品价格监测点,按日汇总,以最近一个监测周期（410天）数据为总体,选择近3个月和去年同期3个月数据为样本,按统计学原理分析其均值、标准差、误差区间、变异系数、波动趋势概率（P）和增幅等,进行总比、同比分析。【结果】本监测期玉米价格2.890.03、活牛32.772.26、牛肉72.271.97、M 11.410.65 、R 2.210.11;确定以活牛/玉米（M值）为参数,将原料与产品结合起来作活牛成本分析;用牛肉/活牛比价（R值）分析养殖与屠宰消费环节营销利益分配关系。根据M、DP（屠宰率）均值11.41、55.81%确定3个盈亏平衡点为：活牛成本32.97元,牛肉成本59.08元,活牛屠宰到消费端营销成本R值为1.8;根据 R均值2.21确定活牛屠宰到消费端营销临界利润率为 22.7%,当R≧2.21时营销利润率≧22.7%,效益增加,R≦2.21时营销利润率≦22.7%效益降低。【结论】与肉牛生产息息相关的4个临界点分别为M值为11.41,基于M值的活牛成本32.97元、牛肉成本59.08元、活牛屠宰到消费端营销成本R值2.21利润率22.7%。近期M值连续下降溢出正常区间下限值10.65达66天,R值上升溢出正常区间上限2.32达52天,养殖环节收益缩减呈现亏损状态,屠宰消费环节营销利率高达30%。 M、R值变化呈不同步状态, R滞后。     

Transdisciplinary habitat models for elk and cattle as a proxy for bovine tuberculosis transmission risk

Zoonotic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (TB) that infect wildlife and livestock are particularly difficult to eradicate where wild animals make extensive use of agricultural landscapes. Transmission of TB between cattle (Bos taurus) and wild elk (Cervus elaphus) in southwestern Manitoba, Canada remains poorly understood but there is a risk when comingling occurs on summer pasture. Elk use of cattle summer pastures was assessed using ecological data (187 VHF and 25 GPS collared elk monitored over four years representing 8% of the elk population). Local knowledge was documented by conducting interviews and participatory mapping exercises with 86 cattle producers (98% of those within the study area). Of the 294 cattle pastures mapped by farmers, 13% were used by radio-collared elk, 38% were reported by farmers as being used by elk, and 42% were identified as used by elk when both when all datasets were combined. Cattle pastures that had been used by elk and those that had no elk were compared using binary logistic regression based on each of the three datasets (i.e. farmer observations, radio-collared elk on pasture, and combined dataset). For all three datasets, distance to protected area and proportion of forest cover on the cattle pasture were identified as the most and second most important predictor variables, respectively. There was strong agreement among the relative probabilities of elk occurrence on each pasture derived from the resource selection function (RSF) models developed using farmer interviews and elk collaring data. The farmer interview and collar datasets were then combined to generate a final integrated RSF map summarizing the probability of elk–cattle comingling and were contrasted over each of four cattle grazing seasons (spring, early summer, late summer, and autumn). These predictive maps indicate that use of cattle pastures by elk is extensive, particularly in spring and early summer. Farmer observations indicate that elk and cattle share water sources and livestock mineral supplements on pasture. Local knowledge and conventional ecological data complement and validate one another and help us better understand the temporospatial aspects of shared space use among wildlife and livestock and more generally the risks of disease transmission in agricultural landscapes.     

Distribution of radioactive cesium in edible parts of cattle

After the disastrous incident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, various agricultural, livestock and fishery products have been inspected for radioactive contamination with cesium in Japan. In this study, radioactive cesium was measured in various edible parts of cattle to verify the current inspection method for cattle, in which the neck tissues are generally used as samples. Radioactive cesium concentration in the short plate, diaphragm, liver, lung, omasum, abomasum and small intestine were lower and sirloin, tenderloin, top round meat and tongue were higher than that in the neck. There was no significant difference between the other organs (heart, kidney, lumen and reticulum) and the neck. Ninety‐five percent upper tolerance limits of the relative concentration to the neck were 1.88 for sirloin, 1.74 for tenderloin, 1.87 for top round and 1.45 for tongue. These results suggest that a safety factor of 2 is recommended for the radioactivity inspection of cattle to prevent a marketing of meat with higher cesium than the legal limit. Re‐inspection should be conducted using another part of muscle, for example, top round, when suspicious levels of 50–100 Bq/kg are detected in the neck.     

Network analysis of Danish cattle industry trade patterns as an evaluation of risk potential for disease spread

Trade patterns of animal movements in a specific industry are complex and difficult to study because there are many stakeholders, premises that are heterogeneously spread over the country, and a highly dynamic flow of animals exists among them. The Danish cattle industry was defined as a network of animal movements and graph theory was used to analyse the movements of cattle within this network. A premise was defined as a farm, an abattoir or a market. These premises constituted the network nodes in the graph and the animal movements between them were the links. In this framework, each premise had a sub-network of other premises to which it was linked by these animal movements. If no movement of animals were registered for a specific farm, then the sub-network for that premise consisted of only that premise. Otherwise, the sub-network linked the premise of interest to all premises from which and to which animals were moved, as long as there was a path linking animal movements to that specific premise. This approach allowed visualization and analyses of four levels of organization that existed in Denmark animal registers: (1) the animal that was moved, (2) the movements of all animals between two premises, (3) the specific premise network, and (4) the overall industry network. When contagious animals are moved from one premise to another, then to a third and so forth, these movements create a path for potential transfer of pathogens. The paths within which pathogens are present identify the transmission risks. A network of animal movements should provide information about pathogen transmission and disease spread. The network of the Danish cattle industry network was a directed scale-free graph (the direction of a movement was known), with an in-degree power of 2 an out-degree power of 1.46, consisted of 29,999 nodes, and 130,265 movements during a 6-month period. The in clustering coefficient was calculated to be 0.52 for the inward direction (movement to), while it was 0.02 for the outward direction (movement from). In Denmark, the cattle movements between premises demonstrated a large degree of heterogeneity. This heterogeneity in movements between farms should be used to evaluate the risk potential of disease transmission for each premise and must be considered when modelling disease spread between premises. The objective of this research was to describe the network of animal movements and not just the animal movements per se.