Aspergillus terreus as a cause of mycotic abortion in cows

The fungus Aspergillus terreus Thom et Church was subjected to microscopic and cultivation study in the organs of an aborted foetus and was demonstrated to be the causative agent of abortion in cattle. The culture of the isolated organism is described and brief data reporting on its ecology are presented. Attention is drawn to the probable source of infection and to the insufficiently known aspects of the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Use of PPD and phosphatide antigens in an ELISA to detect the serological response in experimental bovine tuberculosis

Five calves from tuberculosis free herds were each inoculated intranasally with 10(6) viable organisms of a field isolate of Mycobacterium bovis. Four of the calves developed acute tuberculosis. ELISAs employing protein and phosphatide extracts of M bovis as antigens were used to monitor the humoral response of the infected calves. Fourteen days after infection there was a dramatic increase in the level of antibodies demonstrated by the phosphatide antigen. This increase coincided with the first appearance of signs of the disease. The results suggest that the phosphatide antigen may be of potential value in detecting a humoral response, if present, in cattle infected with M bovis. The tests employing the protein antigen demonstrated a humoral response in only one of the infected calves and emphasises the importance of antigen selection to detect antibodies in tuberculous animals.     

The occurrence of and organisms concerned with bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of Ireland

Bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of the Irish provinces of Leinster and Ulster was estimated at 1-2% of all abortions for which a causal agent was identified in the years from 1969 to 1978. The organism most commonly isolated from diseased specimens was Aspergillus fumigatus, followed by Absidia corymbifera. There was no relationship between the incidence of the disease in any year and the rainfall or number of raindays during the previous summer. The data obtained are discussed in relation to the occurrence of the disease in the United Kingdom.     

Plasma progesterone concentration in the bovine before abortion or parturition in pregnant animals exposed to Sarcocystis cruzi, Campylobacter fetus, or Aspergillus fumigatus

Pregnant cows in the 4th and 5th month of the gestation were exposed to Sarcocystis cruzi, Campylobacter fetus, or Aspergillus fumigatus. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined at intervals from before the cows were exposed until they had aborted or calved. The plasma progesterone concentration of the exposed pregnant cattle remained at 3.95 +/- 2.0 ng/ml until 24 to 48 hours before abortion or parturition, when it decreased to below 1.00 ng/ml. This pattern was similar for cattle exposed to each of the infective agents. Thus, changes in progesterone concentrations in bovine plasma cannot be used as a diagnostic tool for fetal distress or fetal death.     

The occurrence of and organisms concerned with bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of Ireland

Bovine mycotic abortion in some counties of the Irish provinces of Leinster and Ulster was estimated at 1–2% of all abortions for which a causal agent was identified in the years from 1969 to 1978. The organism most commonly isolated from diseased specimens wasAspergillus fumigatus, followed byAbsidia corymbifera. There was no relationship between the incidence of the disease in any year and the rainfall or number of raindays during the previous summer. The data obtained are discussed in relation to the occurrence of the disease in the United Kingdom.     

Bovine mycotic abortion in Denmark

A survey is given of the occurrence of mycotic infections associated with abortion in Danish cattle. During a period of six years a total of 748 samples of placenta material were examined. Mycotic abortion was demonstrated in 101 cases (14%). The case rate was significantly higher (21%) during the winter months from December through February than during the rest of the year (10%). Abortions occurred as from the 135th day of pregnancy, with maximum in the eighth month, where 45% of all cases were observed. A. fumigatus was demonstrated in 77 cases, Mucor spp. in 11 cases, Absidia spp. in 5 cases, and a mixed infection with A. fumigatus and Mucor spp. in 3 cases. In 5 cases the fungi were demonstrated by microscopic and histological examination, but not by culture. The annual occurrence of mycotic abortion varied from 10% to 24% of cases of abortion examined. The latter figure was recorded in a year following a particularly heavy rainfall in the month of June.