Responses of cattle, sheep and poultry to a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing a swine influenza haemagglutinin

Groups of cattle, sheep and poultry were inoculated with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the haemagglutinin of the swine influenza virus A/NJ/11/76. No adverse clinical responses were recorded and none of the animals developed a viraemia when inoculated with the recombinant or wild-type vaccinia virus. Recombinant virus reisolated from lesions in cattle was stable, maintaining its thymidine kinase negative phenotype and ability to express the swine influenza haemagglutinin. Antibodies to the influenza haemagglutinin were detected in cattle, sheep and poultry inoculated with the recombinant virus. While no animals inoculated with wild-type virus developed these antibodies, there was no detectable spread of either recombinant or wild-type virus from the inoculation sites or to in-contact uninoculated animals. The results indicate that recombinant vaccinia viruses can induce immune responses in cattle, sheep and poultry demonstrating their potential as vaccine vectors in a variety of important veterinary species.     

猪口蹄疫特点、流行情况及疫苗使用现状

口蹄疫是危害我国畜牧业的主要传染病之一,主要感染猪、牛、羊等偶蹄动物,其中猪口蹄疫不同于牛、羊口蹄疫,有其独特特点。本文聚焦猪口蹄疫,从其特点、全球流行情况以及我国疫苗使用现状等方面进行了阐述和分析,以期为我国猪口蹄疫防控提供参考。     

Pestivirus infections in Norway. Serological investigations in cattle, sheep and pigs.

Serum samples from 1,133 dairy cows (187 herds), 3,712 ewes (103 flocks) and 1,317 adult pigs (877 herds), were tested for neutralizing antibodies against the NADL strain of bovine virus diarrhoea virus. The prevalence rate of seropositive animals was 18.5% in cattle, 4.5% in sheep and 2.2% in pigs, such seroreactors being found in 28% of the cattle herds and 18% of the sheep flocks. In all three species the rate showed considerable herd and geographical variation. In cattle the seroreactor rate was similar in herds with normal reproduction and in 62 herds with problems of repeat breeding. Of 31 pig sera containing antibodies against the NADL strain, 27 were also positive in a neutralization test for antibodies against swine fever virus (Baker strain). However, all sera showed a higher titre of antibodies against the bovine strain than against the swine fever virus. It was concluded that the immune response of the pigs had been induced by ruminant pestivirus, and not by swine fever virus.     

Leptospiral antibodies in serum from cattle, swine, horses, deer, sheep, and goats: 1973 and 1974.

During 2 years (fiscal years 1973 and 1974), microscopic agglutination tests were performed on 12,565 serums from cattle, swine, horses, deer, sheep, and goats for the detection of leptospiral antibodies. The most frequent presumptive infecting serogroups were Hebdomadis, Pomona, Autumnalis, Ballum, Australis, and Canicola.     

Cryptosporidium parvum in cattle, sheep and pigs in Galicia (N.W. Spain).

Infection by Cryptosporidium parvum has been detected for the first time in cattle and swine in Galicia (N.W. Spain). The organisms were also found in one of 69 sheep examined. Although in most cases the parasite was found in young diarrhoeic animals, its presence in asymptomatic mature cattle and piglets was also detected.     

New techniques to measure blood cholinesterase activity in domesticated animals.

A macromethod and a semimicromethod were developed to measure erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and swine, and to measure plasma cholinesterase activity in horses, dogs, and swine. Comparison of the 2 methods with erythrocytes of sheep, cattle, goats, and horses indicated both methods gave similar results. They can be done in a shorter time and are more sensitive than Michel's method. Normal deltapH values per minutes, with standard deviations for blood cholinesterase activity of animals of different ages, sexes, breeds, and species, were: 0.76 +/- 0.12/30; 0.65 +/- 0.10/15; 0.69 +/- 0.19/45; 0.78 +/- 0.11/45; 0.63 +/- 0.11/45; and 0.71 +/- 0.06/25 for sheep, cattle, goats, horses, dogs, and swine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, respectively; and 0.66 +/- 0.18/20; 0.67 +/- 0.20/30, and 0.46 +/- 0.05/60 for horses, dogs, and swine plasma cholinesterase, respectively. It was shown that either the chloride or the iodide salt of acetylcholine can be used as the enzyme substrate. tin blood samples stored at 5 C for 24 hours, there was no significant change of the enzymatic activity.     

Abattoir condemnation due to parasitic infections and its economic implications in the region of Trikala,Greece

The prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and their economic implication, was estimated in a year long abattoir survey of 10 277 slaughtered farm animals in the region of Trikala, Greece. The organs examined for the presence of parasitic lesions during meat inspection were: liver and lungs of all animals, rumen of cattle, small intestine of lambs and kids, and muscles of cattle and swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were caused only by hydatid cysts. No hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the liver of cattle, sheep and goats were as a result of hydatid cysts and flukes of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, while those of swine were due to milk spots only. Moniezia sp. proglottids were found in the small intestine of lambs only. The prevalence of parasites responsible for the condemnation of marketable organs was low (0.26%). Parasites were responsible for 22% of the total of condemned organs, and their annual cost was 99, 00 GDR (approximately 292 Euros). The parasites most contributing to marketable organ condemnation were hydatid cysts (26%) and D. dendriticum flukes (26%).     

Diagnosis, Information Management, Teaching, and Record Coding Using the CONSULTANT Database

The CONSULTANT database contains information on over 6,000 diseases of dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and swine. It is used by hundreds of practices and institutions across North America. The four major functions of the database are computer-assisted diagnosis, review of and access to the clinical literature, teaching, and diagnostic coding.     

我国家畜衣原体病流行状况

衣原体具有广泛的宿主,在家畜中以羊、牛、猪较为易感,感染母畜后主要引起流产,公畜引起睾丸炎、附睾炎。在我国羊衣原体病的流行达6个省市,猪的衣原体病流行达15个省市,牛衣原体病的流行达11个省市,造成巨大的经济损失。正确认识该病和预防该病在畜牧生产过程中必不可少。     

Störungen während der embryonalen Entwicklungsphase bei Rind, Schaf und Schwein

Embryonic mortality in cattle, sheep and swine during cleavage, implantation and later developmental stages is discussed in respect to its different causes and possibilities of prevention.     

A Serological Study on The Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Meat-Producing Animals in Sweden

Sera from 200 sheep, swine and cattle, respectively, collected at slaughter at each of 3 abattoirs situated in the north, middle and south of Sweden were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Seropositive animals (titre ≥ 1:20) were found at the following rates from north to south: sheep 60%, 66% and 68.5%, swine 9%, 2.5% and 37%, and cattle 10%, 6 % and 35%. The significance of the serological findings is discussed, and it is concluded that T. gondii infection is common in Swedish farm animals. Thus the meat from particularly swine and sheep may provide a potential source of human toxoplasmosis.     

Abattoir Condemnation due to Parasitic Infections and its Economic Implications in the Region of Trikala,Greece

The prevalence of parasitic infections responsible for the condemnation of carcasses and viscera during meat inspection, and their economic implication, was estimated in a year long abattoir survey of 10 277 slaughtered farm animals in the region of Trikala, Greece. The organs examined for the presence of parasitic lesions during meat inspection were: liver and lungs of all animals, rumen of cattle, small intestine of lambs and kids, and muscles of cattle and swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the lungs of cattle, sheep and goats were caused only by hydatid cysts. No hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs of swine. The parasitic lesions observed in the liver of cattle, sheep and goats were as a result of hydatid cysts and flukes of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, while those of swine were due to milk spots only. Moniezia sp. proglottids were found in the small intestine of lambs only. The prevalence of parasites responsible for the condemnation of marketable organs was low (0.26%). Parasites were responsible for 22% of the total of condemned organs, and their annual cost was 99 500 GDR (～€292). The parasites most contributing to marketable organ condemnation were hydatid cysts (26%) and D. dendriticum flukes (26%).     

An apparatus for quantitative collection of urine from male cattle, sheep, and swine

An apparatus for quantitative collection of urine from male cattle, sheep, and swine was designed. The apparatus was constructed of elastic, waterproof cloth, fabric fastener, and a waterproof bag. The apparatus was lightweight, easily installed on the animal, resulted in no apparent discomfort to the animal, and could be used for extended collection periods.     

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in humans and animals

The presence of antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) and Encephalitozoon intestinalis (E. intestinalis) was examined in 215 samples from humans and in 488 samples from five different species of domestic and companion animals in Slovakia. The 215 human samples and samples from 90 swine, 123 non-infected cattle (cattle), 24 cattle infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV-positive cattle), 140 sheep and 111 dogs were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples with serum titres 1:200 or higher were considered as positive. Specific anti-E. cuniculi antibodies were found in humans (0.9%), swine (52%), cattle (2%), sheep (9%) and dogs (15%) except for the BLV-positive cattle at the titre of 1:200. The titre of 1:400 was detected only in humans (0.5%). The presence of specific anti-E. intestinalis antibodies at the titre of 1:200 was confirmed in humans (6%), swine (51%), cattle (11%), BLV-positive cattle (13%) and dogs (6%) but not in sheep. The anti-E. intestinalis antibodies reached the 1:400 in humans (1%), swine (4%) and BLV-positive cattle (17%). The presence of specific anti-E. intestinalis antibodies at the titre of 1:600 was observed only in one swine (1%). Significant differences were observed in animals at titres 1:200 and 1:400 (chi-squared test: p < 0.0001) for both pathogens and in humans only for E. cuniculi at the titre of 1:400 (chi-squared test: p < 0.0075).     

Survey of antibiotic residues in Canadian slaughter animals.

Kidneys and urine of cattle, swine, sheep and chickens were tested for bacterial growth inhibitors using Bacillus subtilis and Sarcina lutea as test organisms. Results were as follows: 211 beef kidneys four positive, 611 swine kidneys five positive, 27 sheep and 120 chicken kidneys all negative, 2108 beef urine 76 positive, 2409 swine urine 186 positive, 176 sheep urine 17 positive. Strongest reactions were obtained with B. subtilis on phosphate buffered pH 6.0 plates. Larger zones were produced by urine from injected animals than by tissue samples.     

Dietary selenate versus selenite for cattle, sheep, and horses.

Food and Drug Administration regulations currently permit addition of .3 mg of Se per kilogram of diet for chickens, turkeys, ducks, swine, sheep, and cattle. However, field reports indicate that this level may not be adequate for ruminants in all situations. Because sodium selenite is the most common supplemental form and is known to be readily absorbed to particles or reduced to insoluble elemental Se or selenides in acid, anaerobic environments, studies were conducted with dairy cattle, sheep, and horses fed sodium selenate to determine whether Se from this source was more bioavailable than Se from sodium selenite. A 2-wk period of no Se supplementation was followed by 49 or 56 d of Se supplementation at .3 mg/kg of dietary DM. Serum Se concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities measured initially and periodically thereafter revealed no difference between Se forms in sheep and horses and only a small (P less than .05) advantage for selenate in supporting serum Se concentration in dairy cattle. Selenium concentrations in skeletal muscle and liver of sheep were not different between Se forms. Serum Se, but not GSHPx, increased with time, and .3 mg of supplemental Se per kilogram of dietary DM from either sodium selenate or sodium selenite supported normal serum Se concentrations in sheep, dairy cattle, and horses.     

Carcass quality in certified organic production compared with conventional livestock production

By studying carcass quality, expressed as affection, pathological findings, slaughter-weight and evaluation, a picture of an animal's health and potential as high quality food is achieved. This study compares the carcass quality in Swedish certified organic meat production with that of conventional meat production slaughtered during 1997. The study involves 3.9 million pigs, about 570,000 cattle and 190,000 sheep, all reared conventionally and 3483 pigs 4949 cattle and 4997 sheep reared according to organic standards. Pathological and additional findings are registered by meat inspectors from the Swedish National Food Administration at the post-mortem inspection. There was a significant difference at the post-mortem inspection of growing-fattening pigs; 28% of conventionally and 17% of the organically reared pigs had one or more registered lesion. The carcass evaluation of swine shows a higher meat percentage in conventional swine production. The total rate of registered abnormalities in cattle was systems around 28% from organic and 27% from conventionally reared herds. Carcass evaluation of cattle from organic herds gave higher classification in the EUROP system, whereas the fat content was lower than that of conventionally reared cattle. Sheep, reared both organically and conventionally, showed a lower rate of registered abnormalities than swine and cattle.     

Tissue residues of ractopamine and urinary excretion of ractopamine and metabolites in animals treated for 7 days with dietary ractopamine

Ractopamine HCl is a beta-adrenergic leanness-enhancing agent recently approved for use in swine. Depletion of ractopamine in tissues, and elimination of ractopamine and its metabolites in urine, is of interest for the detection of off-label use. The objectives of this study were to measure the residues of ractopamine in livers and kidneys of cattle (n = 6), sheep (n = 6), and ducks (n = 9) after treatment with dietary ractopamine for seven (sheep, ducks) or eight (cattle) consecutive days and to measure the depletion of ractopamine from urine of cattle and sheep. Two cattle and sheep and three ducks were each slaughtered with withdrawal periods of 0, 3, and 7 d. Urine samples were collected daily from cattle and sheep. Tissue ractopamine concentrations were determined using the regulatory method (FDA approved) for ractopamine in swine tissues. Ractopamine residues in urine samples were measured before and after hydrolysis of conjugates. Analysis was performed with HPLC using fluorescence detection after liquid- (hydrolyzed samples) and(or) solid-phase extraction. No residues were detected in duck tissues. Liver residues in sheep averaged 24.0 and 2.6 ppb after 0- and 3-d withdrawal periods, respectively. Sheep liver residues after a 7-d withdrawal period were less than the limit of quantification (2.5 ppb). Sheep kidney residues were 65.1 and undetectable at 0- and at 3- and 7-d, withdrawal periods, respectively. Cattle liver residues were 9.3, 2.5, and undetectable after 0-, 3-, and 7-d withdrawal periods, respectively; kidney residues were 97.5, 3.4, and undetectable at the same respective withdrawal periods. Concentrations of parent ractopamine in sheep urine were 9.8+/-3.3 ppb on withdrawal d 0 and were below the LOQ (5 ppb) beyond the 2-d withdrawal period. After the hydrolysis of conjugates, ractopamine concentrations were 5,272+/-1,361 ppb on withdrawal d 0 and 178+/-78 ppb on withdrawal d 7. Ractopamine concentrations in cattle urine ranged from 164+/-61.7 ng/mL (withdrawal d 0) to below the LOQ (50 ppb) on withdrawal d 4. After the hydrolysis of conjugates in cattle urine, ractopamine concentrations were 4,129+/-2,351 ppb (withdrawal d 0) to below the LOQ (withdrawal d 6). These data indicate that after the hydrolysis of conjugates, ractopamine should be detectable in urine of sheep as long as 7 d after the last exposure to ractopamine and as long as 5 d after withdrawal in cattle.     

Experience with simple ELISA test systems for Brucella serology in cattle, sheep and goats

The objective of this work was to use the ELISA technique for the serological surveillance for freedom of brucellosis of cattle, sheep and goats. By comparing 28 cattle sera taken after a brucellosis outbreak, 15 bovine sera supplied by the Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV) and 497 serum slow agglutination test (SSAT) and complement fixation test (CFT) negative bovine sera from herds officially declared free of brucellosis, the ELISA technique not only shows higher sensitivity as compared to SSAT and CFT but also distinguishes clearly between positive and negative reactions. The serological comparison by SSAT, CFT and ELISA of 615 cattle, 624 sheep and 630 goat sera from herds acknowledged as brucellosis free showed equivalent specificities for both CFT and ELISA. The specificity of the SSAT was much lower, 81.1% in cattle and 96.2% in goat sera. The examination of 5796 cattle, 1337 calf, 5031 sheep and 1796 goat sera demonstrates the advantage of the ELISA technique as routine method. The possible application of the ELISA technique as a screening method for serological brucellosis tests in sheep, goats and possibly also in pigs is discussed.     

Differentiation of sexual behavior in cattle, sheep and swine

Gonadal steroid hormones influence an animal's sexual behavior through two primary means. During development they affect differentiation of the brain (primarily in males), and after puberty, circulating concentrations of steroids influence expression of sexual behaviors. In mammals, sexual behaviors of females are regarded as inherent (independent of steroids secreted by the developing ovary). Males, on the other hand, must undergo active differentiation that is brought about by actions of testicular steroids on the brain during discrete sensitive periods of early development. Sexual differentiation in mammals is referred to as processes of defeminization and masculinization. Defeminization is loss of behavioral traits inherent to females and occurs prenatally in sheep but postnatally in swine. Comparative data are lacking for cattle, but preliminary evidence indicates prenatal defeminization of sexual behaviors. Masculinization is acquisition of behavioral traits characteristic of males. Adult females of all three species show mounting behavior after prolonged treatment with testosterone, and in cattle and swine, there is, as yet, no strong evidence that males undergo masculinization of sexual behaviors. In sheep, limited observations are suggestive of two sensitive periods for masculinization; one prenatally and one postnatally. The earlier concept that differentiation of sexual behaviors in mammals occurs prenatally in species with a long gestation and postnatally in species with a short gestation must now be modified in view of recent findings in swine, in which defeminization occurs postnatally. Further studies will likely identify additional species differences with respect to differentiation of sexual behaviors.