Presence of zoonotic campylobacters in cattle and swine for consumption in Argentina

The first isolation of zoonotic campylobacters in Argentina is described. Samples from intestinal contents and swabbing of carcasses of clinically healthy cattle and swine destined for consumption were analyses. In cattle, isolations ofC. fetus subsp.jejuni andC. sputorum were made from intestinal content samples (1.7% and 6.9% respectively for each species), and only the former species was isolated from carcass swabbing samples (3.2%). Isolations in swine were made only from intestinal contents (6.9%). We discuss the significance of these isolations in relation to the role the animal species studied play in the epidemiological chain of this zoonosis.     

Distribution of Arcobacter species among livestock in Japan

A survey was conducted to examine the distribution of Arcobacter species among livestock in Japan. During May 1999 and May 2000, fecal samples from cattle (n=332) and swine (n=250), chicken cloacal swabs (n=234), and vaginal swabs of cattle (n=61) and swine (n=15) were submitted for the isolation of Arcobacter species. Arcobacter species were isolated from 3.6 and 10.0% of the cattle and swine fecal samples, respectively, along with 14.5% of chicken cloacal swabs. No significant seasonal differences were observed. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay showed that A. butzleri was the most prevalent species (83.3, 60.0 and 47.1% of the cattle, swine and chicken isolates, respectively), followed by A. cryaerophilus 1B (16.7, 36.0 and 55.9% of the cattle, swine and chicken isolates, respectively). Of the samples from vaginal swabs, 8.1 and 13.3% were positive for Arcobacter in cattle and swine, respectively. This is the first report demonstrating the distribution of Arcobacter species among livestock in Japan.     

Comparison of GN Hajna and tetrathionate as initial enrichment for salmonellae recovery from swine lymph nodes and cecal contents collected at slaughter.

An epidemiologic survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of salmonellae in swine from 5 farms of an integrated swine operation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the recovery efficiencies for salmonellae from swine lymph nodes and cecal contents when GN Hajna and tetrathionate were compared as initial enrichments. Salmonellae were isolated from 61% of 645 pigs at slaughter; 324 positive cultures were from lymph nodes, and 224 were from cecal contents. Frequently, pigs had salmonellae isolated from both the lymph nodes and cecal contents. Total isolations, regardless of source, were similar for GN Hajna (247) and tetrathionate (301). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the number of isolations from lymph nodes when GN Hajna enrichment was compared with tetrathionate enrichment (174 vs. 150). However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) advantage of utilizing tetrathionate when compared with GN Hajna for isolations from cecal contents (151 vs. 73).     

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).     

Isolation of Leptospira hardjo from kidneys of Ontario cattle at slaughter.

Kidneys from 117 cattle from 110 Ontario farms were examined at slaughter for leptospires. Leptospira hardjo (hardjo-bovis A) was isolated from 11 kidneys and L. kennewicki from one. The isolations were all made (12/89, 13.5%) from beef cattle from feedlots, no isolates being obtained from dairy or beef cattle from extensive farms (0/28). Isolations were only made from cattle with antibody titers (greater than or equal to 20) against the serovars recovered. Isolation was more sensitive than immunofluorescence in identifying leptospira, particularly in animals with low antibody titers against L. hardjo. Leptospira were isolated from two kidneys with multiple gross lesions of focal nephritis, but there was no correlation between the presence of scanty kidney lesions and isolations of leptospira. Leptospira hardjo infection appears to be common in Ontario feedlot cattle.     

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp isolated from the intestinal tract of pigs raised in an integrated swine production system

OBJECTIVE: To enumerate the prevalence of Campylobacter isolates in the intestinal tract of market-weight swine raised in an integrated swine operation in Texas. SAMPLE POPULATION: Samples of cecal contents were collected from 595 pigs (mean body weight, 110 kg [242 lb]) at time of slaughter. Pigs were off-spring of Yorkshire-Landrace sows and Duroc or Hampshire boars. Pigs originated from 4 farrow-to-finish farms. PROCEDURE: During a 9-month period, visits were made to a slaughter plant to remove cecal contents from market-weight hogs. Samples were obtained from 50 pigs/visit from designated farms so that samples were obtained 3 times from pigs of each of 4 farms. Isolation of Campylobacter spp was accomplished by use of enrichment broth and restrictive media, using microaerophilic conditions. RESULTS: Campylobacter spp were isolated from 70 to 100% of the pigs, depending on the farm and the date the samples were collected. Campylobacter coli was isolated from 20 to 100% (mean, 60%) of samples, and C jejuni was isolated from 0 to 76% (mean, 31%) of samples. Campylobacter lari was isolated from 2 pigs. Concentrations of C coli or C jejuni ranged from 10(3) to 10(7) colony-forming units/g of cecal content. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Campylobacter coli generally is accepted as a common inhabitant of the intestinal tract of swine. However, analysis of results of this study suggests that a relatively high prevalence of C jejuni may be found in pigs raised on specific farms.     

Experimental infection of pregnant and lactating goats with Leptospira interrogans serovars hardjo and szwajizak

Pathogenesis of 2 Leptospira serovars, hardjo and szwajizak, was studied in pregnant and lactating goats. Although clinical signs of leptospiral infection were minimal, cultural isolations were made from the mammary gland of 2 goats and the kidney of 1 goat inoculated with serovar hardjo (C846). The isolations were made only on solid bovine albumin polysorbate-80 medium supplemented either with rabbit serum or sodium pyruvate. Cultural isolations of serovar szwajizak were made from kidney, liver, brain, urine, and mammary gland samples of 1 goat and the liver and kidney samples of its kids. These isolations were made in only the solid bovine albumin polysorbate-80 medium which had been supplemented with normal goat serum.     

Trace element levels in liver and kidney from cattle, swine and poultry slaughtered in Canada.

Levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury and lead were determined in approximately 650 samples of liver and kidney from cattle, swine and poultry slaughtered in Canada during 1979-81. In addition zinc levels were determined in livers and kidneys from swine, and selenium and zinc levels were determined in the livers and kidneys from cattle. Depending on the element several methods of atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to analyze samples including flame, hydride generation, cold vapour generation and graphite furnace atomization. Analyses were also done by plasma emission spectroscopy. Levels of arsenic over 2.0 micrograms/g were detected in 0.9% of swine livers and 0.3% of swine kidneys. Cadmium levels higher than 1.0 micrograms/g were detected in 0.3% of cattle livers, 10.8% of cattle kidneys, 1.8% of swine kidneys, 0.4% of poultry livers and 0.3% of poultry kidneys. Levels of copper over 150 micrograms/g were detected in 0.4% of cattle and swine livers. Levels of lead over 2.0 micrograms/g were detected in 1.4% of poultry livers and 1.6% of poultry kidneys. The highest level of mercury detected in all species was 0.25 micrograms/g and the highest level of selenium was 1.9 micrograms/g. Zinc levels of over 100 micrograms/g were detected in 1.7% of cattle livers, 0.2% of cattle kidneys and 5.0% of swine livers.     

Epizootiologic study of bluetongue: virologic and serologic results

Heparinized blood and serum samples were obtained from 1,295 ruminants in herds or flocks with bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in 4 western states. Submissions were from herds or flocks with clinical bluetongue (BT), as well as from animals on premises with no history of BT disease. Insects, including Culicoides variipennis, were collected in areas enzootic for BT disease. Viral isolations were in 10-day-old embryonating chicken eggs that were then adapted to Vero cells for serotyping. Sera were tested from group-specific antibody to BTV by the micro agar gel precipitin (AGP) test. Viral isolations were from cattle (81), sheep (122), goats (9), antelope (2), and C varipennis (5). There were 7 isolates of serotype 120, 114 of serotype 11, 42 of serotype 13, and 56 of serotype 17. In herds or flocks from which BTV was isolated, 51% of cattle, 56% of sheep, 21% of goats, and 52% of antelope had AGP antibodies. Virus was isolated from 43% of the cattle and 23% of the sheep that had no demonstrable evidence of AGP antibodies. Viral isolations were seasonal, occurring from August until December. Approximately 30% of the herds or flocks from which virus was isolated had more than one serotype of virus causing infection.     

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.     

Evidence for a new field Culicoides vector of African horse sickness in South Africa

Between February and May 1998, approximately 100 horses died of African horse sickness (AHS) in the cooler, mountainous, central region of South Africa. On 14 affected farms, 156,875 Culicoides of 27 species were captured. C. imicola Kieffer, hitherto considered the only field vector for AHS virus (AHSV), constituted <1% of the total Culicoides captured, and was not found on 29% of the farms. In contrast, 65% of the Culicoides were C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, and was found on all farms. Five isolations of AHSV were made from C. bolitinos, and none from 18 other species of Culicoides (including C. imicola).     

Heterogeneity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains from healthy sheep

The objectives of this study were to identify, at species level, thermophilic campylobacters isolated from clinically healthy sheep by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR). The heterogeneity among Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates was also investigated using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the flagellin (flaA) gene. Samples of intestinal contents, gall bladders and faeces were collected from 610 healthy sheep. While gall bladder samples were plated directly onto Preston agar, an enrichment stage was applied for intestinal and faecal samples. Of the 610 samples, 302 (49.5%) were positive for Campylobacter spp. Using a mPCR assay for species identification, 103 (34.1%) were positive with C. jejuni-specific primers, while 100 (33.1%) were positive with C. coli-specific primers. Additionally, 16 (11.9%) of the intestinal content samples were positive for both species by mPCR. All the isolates identified as C. jejuni and C. coli were successfully subtyped by flaA typing. Of 203 isolates tested, 48 different flaA types were found. Twenty-six flaA types were identified among C. jejuni isolates and the remaining 22 from C. coli isolates.     

Molecular and Statistical Analysis of Campylobacter spp. and Antimicrobial‐Resistant Campylobacter Carriage in Wildlife and Livestock from Ontario Farms

The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the carriage of Campylobacter and antimicrobial‐resistant Campylobacter among livestock and mammalian wildlife on Ontario farms, and (ii) investigate the potential sharing of Campylobacter subtypes between livestock and wildlife. Using data collected from a cross‐sectional study of 25 farms in 2010, we assessed associations, using mixed logistic regression models, between Campylobacter and antimicrobial‐resistant Campylobacter carriage and the following explanatory variables: animal species (beef, dairy, swine, raccoon, other), farm type (swine, beef, dairy), type of sample (livestock or wildlife) and Campylobacter species (jejuni, coli, other). Models included a random effect to account for clustering by farm where samples were collected. Samples were subtyped using a Campylobacter‐specific 40 gene comparative fingerprinting assay. A total of 92 livestock and 107 wildlife faecal samples were collected, and 72% and 27% tested positive for Campylobacter, respectively. Pooled faecal samples from livestock were significantly more likely to test positive for Campylobacter than wildlife samples. Relative to dairy cattle, pig samples were at significantly increased odds of testing positive for Campylobacter. The odds of isolating Campylobacter jejuni from beef cattle samples were significantly greater compared to dairy cattle and raccoon samples. Fifty unique subtypes of Campylobacter were identified, and only one subtype was found in both wildlife and livestock samples. Livestock Campylobacter isolates were significantly more likely to exhibit antimicrobial resistance (AMR) compared to wildlife Campylobacter isolates. Campylobacter jejuni was more likely to exhibit AMR when compared to C. coli. However, C. jejuni isolates were only resistant to tetracycline, and C.  coli isolates exhibited multidrug resistance patterns. Based on differences in prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and resistant Campylobacter between livestock and wildlife samples, and the lack of similarity in molecular subtypes and AMR patterns, we concluded that the sharing of Campylobacter species between livestock and mammalian wildlife was uncommon.     

Use of delayed secondary enrichment for the isolation of Salmonella in poultry and poultry environments

A conventional method of isolating Salmonella was compared with isolation using novobiocin-supplemented plating media and delayed secondary enrichment (DSE). The DSE greatly increased the ability to isolate Salmonella from poultry and environmental samples. Four hundred sixty-four isolations of Salmonella were made from a total of 4377 cultures (11%). Two hundred sixty-nine (58%) isolations of Salmonella were made following the 24-hour incubation; of these, 43 (9%) isolates were isolated only at this time. In comparison, a total of 421 (91%) Salmonella were isolated by DSE, of which 195 isolates (42%) were isolated only with DSE. The addition of novobiocin to the selective plating medium increased the isolation rate for Salmonella and reduced the level of contaminating bacteria growing on the plate.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> in tissue samples of cattle and buffaloes

Tissue samples were collected at random from cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from an abattoir of the district of Lahore and were analyzed for the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis through acid-fast staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Body condition of animals and diarrhea were recorded. Most of the animals were emaciated. Diarrhea was noticed in 15.6% of buffaloes and 19.2% of cattle. Intestinal pathology was observed in 29% of buffaloes and 32.8% of cattle. Number of mesenteric lymph node (MLN) showing gross lesions was a bit higher (35.6%) in cattle than buffalo (31.2%). Acid-fast staining of tissue scraping smears revealed the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in 17.4% intestinal and 16.4% MLN tissue samples in buffalo, while in cattle 19.2% intestinal and 17.8% MLN were found positive for AFB. In buffaloes, PCR confirmed 12.8% intestinal and 12.4% MLN positive samples for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. However, in cattle, PCR analysis demonstrated 14.2% positive results for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in both MLN and intestinal tissue samples. PCR also confirmed M. bovis in 5.8% of cattle and 5% of buffalo MLN and intestinal tissues. PCR positive tissue samples for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis were from those animals which were emaciated, having diarrhea, and severe gross lesions. AFB were also detected in tissue scraping smears of these animals. It is concluded that infection by various mycobacterium species can be differentiated by PCR, which is not possible by acid-fast staining technique.     

Biotypes of Brucella abortus and their value in epidemiologic studies of infected cattle herds.

Four Texas cattle herds containing cows infected with either Brucella abortus biotype 1, 2, or 4 were studied to determine the probability of transmission of Brucella between adjacent cattle herds, the most probable means by which Brucella was introduced into the herds, and the relative frequency of strain 19 isolation from vaccinated cattle. A total of 1,935 cattle in the four herds were tested for brucellosis; 339 reactors were identified, and isolations of B abortus were made from 143. The biotype of B abortus was used to determine that purchased cattle or reentry of bred heifers into the herds was probably responsible for introducing B abortus and that the biotype was not readily transmitted to adjacent herds. Three (9%) of 32 B abortus isolations from adult-vaccinated cattle were strain 19. The data supported the hypothesis that biotypes can be useful in determining the source of B abortus for cattle and in differentiating field and vaccine strain infections in adult-vaccinated cattle.     

Recovery of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from the faeces of healthy cattle

Attempts were made to recover and serologically identify Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from the faeces of groups of nine to twenty clinically healthy cattle eight to thirteen months old on each of 50 farms in the northern part of New Zealand. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was recovered from 134 (26.3%) of 509 faeces samples from cattle on 42 (84%) farms and from nine of ten samples on two of these farms. Serotypes I, II, and III were identified, of which serotype III was by far the most common and accounted for 125 (93.2%) of the 134 isolates. Because of the common occurrence and widespread distribution of Y. pseudotuberculosis it is suggested that the clinical significance of isolation of this micro-organism from faeces samples or intestinal contents should be treated with caution.     

Contamination of raw milk by Listeria monocytogenes on dairy farms

Possible sources of exogenous contamination of raw milk by Listeria monocytogenes were examined on four dairy farms of different size and type of animal housing during morning milking. Feeds, including hay and concentrates, were found to be major sources of both pathogenic and nonpathogenic species of Listeria on the barns. L. innocua was the only species isolated from the grass silage, which was of good quality on all the farms. The numbers of Listeria were below 10(2)/g in all feed samples. Fecal shedding of listeriae was detected in 11.9% of the cows and the prevalences of L. monocytogenes among farms ranged from no detections to 8.7%. The number of Listeria isolations from constructions inside the barns and from the milking environment varied between the farms. Listeriae were detected almost everywhere on one of the farms whereas on another farm the only isolations were from feed passages and floors. 13.6% of the swab samples taken from the teats before washing and drying were Listeria positive, whereas no isolations were made after cleaning the udder. Good milking and barn hygiene is considered important for diminishing the risks of exogenous contamination of raw milk by listeriae.     

肉牛肠道寄生虫感染情况调查

为了解南乐县肉牛寄生虫感染情况,笔者随机选取4个规模化肉牛养殖场的共226份粪样进行寄生虫感染情况调查。结果共检出4种寄生虫的虫卵和卵囊,其中原虫2种(球虫、隐孢子虫),线虫2种（类圆线虫、鞭虫）。检测结果发现162份粪便样品为寄生虫阳性,寄生虫总感染率为71.68％(162／226),4个肉牛场的隐孢子虫平均感染率为4.42％,球虫平均感染率为51.12％,鞭虫平均感染率为15.84％,类圆线虫平均感染率为15.49％。本次调查发现肉牛寄生虫混合感染现象比较严重,混合感染的病例占总感染病例的63.58％,其中球虫、鞭虫和类圆线虫混合感染的病例占总感染病例的34.56％。调查还发现肉牛寄生虫感染率呈现随着年龄的增加而降低的趋势。     

Fertility following synchronization of oestrus in romney,corriedale and merino ewes

Attempts were made to recover and serologically identify Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from the faeces of groups of nine to twenty clinically healthy cattle eight to thirteen months old on each of 50 farms in the northern part of New Zealand.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was recovered from 134 (26.3%) of 509 faeces samples from cattle on 42 (84%) farms and from nine often samples on two of these farms. Serotypes I, II, and III were identified, of which serotype III was by far the most common and accounted for 125 (93.2%) of the 134 isolates.

Because of the common occurrence and widespread distribution of Y. pseudotuberculosis it is suggested that the clinical significance of isolation of this micro-organism from faeces samples or intestinal contents should be treated with caution.