Seroprevalence of anaplasmosis in the Red River Plains and South-east areas of Louisiana

The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to detect antibodies to Anaplasma marginale in serum samples collected from cattle in the Red River Plains and South-east areas of Louisiana. Convenience sampling of herd clusters was used. A reactor rate of 7.8% was found in 11 085 samples. Beef cattle had a 11.2% reactor rate compared with 3.8% for dairy cattle. The Angus and Angus cross-breed group had the highest reactor rate.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine brucellosis in Jordan

We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in cattle in Jordan. The sera from 671 cows were randomly collected from 62 herds. The antibodies against Brucella were detected using a Rose Bengal plate test and indirect ELISA. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the cattle herds'' health and management. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed to identify the risk factors for Brucella seropositivity. The true prevalence of antibodies against Brucella in individual cows and cattle herds was 6.5% and 23%, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows older than 4 years of age was significantly higher than that in the younger cows. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows located in the Mafraq, Zarqa and Ma''an governorates was significantly higher than that of the other studied governorates. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that a larger herd size (odd ratio = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.6) and mixed farming (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.7) were risk factors for cattle seropositivity to Brucella antigens. On the other hand, the use of disinfectants (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.1) and the presence of adequate veterinary services (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2) were identified as protective factors.     

Geographical Variation and Factors Associated to Seroprevalence of Canine Leishmaniosis in an Endemic Mediterranean Area

This article retrospectively analyses the spatial distribution and dog‐ and environmental‐level risk factors associated to Leishmania infantum seroprevalence among 807 asymptomatic dogs in the Municipality of Crevillente in Alicante in southeast Spain in 1999. They represented 60% of the dogs in this 103 km² area, with a human census of 27 034 people and 90% lived in Crevillente town. The estimated seroprevalence (95% confidence interval) in 714 dogs ≥1‐year old was 22% (19–25) however; it was 12% (8–15) in town dogs and 0–100% in other administrative zones. High–medium seroprevalence zone clustered along a northeast–southwest fringe and around the town. They comprised the highest and driest inhabited part of the municipality, where farmland was interspersed by residential detached houses, whilst null–low seroprevalence zones included larger farmland extensions and two small rural villages. Predominant vegetation and ground soil type were bush, non‐irrigated fruit trees and conglomerate crust and sandstone in medium–high seroprevalence zones and irrigated grassland and fruit trees and colluvial deposits in null–low seroprevalence zones. Random effects logistic regression indicated that the prevalence of infection with L. infantum was higher for dogs sharing residence with infected dogs, increased until 5–6 years old and with body weight and was associated to increasing conglomerate crust and low surface water in the dog’s zone of residence. The study confirms that L. infantum infection is endemic in this part of Spain and shows that prevalence can vary significantly within a small area depending on specific demographic and environmental factors conditioning the habitat of the local L. infantum vector, Phlebotomus perniciosus. It suggests similar low‐scale variability is present in other geographically variable endemic areas and should be investigated to design Leishmaniosis risk maps and cost‐effective, evidence‐based, targeted control interventions.     

Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

A study was conducted in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease in cattle of different categories and in different climatic zones. The overall prevalence of the disease was 13.2%, and 51% of the herds tested contained reactor cattle. Assessment of risk factors was based on comparisons of the reactivity of the cattle in the single comparative intradermal tuberculin test (SCITT). Older cattle were more affected by the disease than yearlings and calves (p<0.0001). There were significant differences between male and female cattle (p<0.05) and between cattle with exotic blood compared to indigenous Short Horn Zebu (SHZ) cattle (p<0.05). The castrated bulls, often used for draught power, were more frequently (p<0.01) affected than the entire bulls, mainly used for breeding. Reactivity to tuberculin did not appear to be influenced by the reproductive status of the animal. The reactivity to tuberculin of pregnant cattle was not significantly different from that of the rest of the cows (p>0.05). However, significantly more (14.6%) lactating cattle reacted in the SCITT than did non-lactating cows (12.0%) (p<0.05). There was a highly significant difference (p<0.001) between reactivity in the SCITT among cattle grazing in the hot and dry lower lands (14.0%) and that in those grazing in the cool and wet highlands (8.7%).     

湖南省牛无浆体虫株分子生物学鉴定

用原虫16 S rRNA基因序列通用引物对湖南5个地区牛无浆体感染的阳性血液样品进行PCR扩增,经测序和序列拼接,获得5个无浆体样品16 S rRNA基因的部分序列,应用分子生物学软件进行分析,并根据所获得序列的保守区间设计特异性引物,进行PCR诊断方法的探讨性研究.结果表明,在通用引物下,5个地区无浆体感染的阳性血液样品均获得1 425 bp大小的虫体16 S rRNA基因条带;测序后5个无浆体16 S rRNA序列同源性均在97%～98%.证明5个分离虫株初步鉴定为牛边缘无浆体.     

国产咪唑苯脲对梨形虫病和无定形体病的疗效评价

应用国产咪唑苯脲,按2mg/kg剂量肌肉注射治疗20例驽巴贝西虫病马,14例间隔24h用药2次,6例仅用药1次,均获治愈。按1～4.5mg/kg剂量一次肌肉注射治疗45例双芽巴贝西虫病黄牛,29例早、中期病例全部治愈,16例晚期病例,治愈14例,治愈率87.5％。按1.5mg/kg剂量一次肌肉注射治疗4例双芽巴贝西虫病黄牛,全部治愈。以1mg/kg,1.5mg/kg、2mg/kg剂量一次肌肉注射治疗46例水牛巴贝西虫病牛,1mg/kg剂量治疗12例,治愈9例,治愈率75％;1.5mg/kg剂量组24例及2mg/kg剂量组10例全部治愈。应用1.5mg/kg剂量间隔24h 2次肌肉注射治疗18例羊泰勒虫病羊,治愈16例,治愈率88.9％。以1～4.5mg/kg剂量1～8次肌肉注射治疗22例无定形体病牛,17例早、中期病例全部治愈,5例晚期病例全部死亡,治愈率77.3％。咪唑苯脲安全性较好,对牛、马加大剂量至8mg/kg,水牛6mg/kg,仅出现一过性的呼吸困难、流涎、肌肉颤抖、腹痛和排稀粪等副反应,约经30min后消失。     

我国部分地区牛羊弓形虫血清流行病学调查

为了解我国牛羊弓形虫病流行情况,应用间接血凝试验（IHA）对河南、山东、山西、内蒙古、云南、贵州6省区151份牛血清、50份奶样、490份羊血清进行了弓形虫病血清流行病学调查。结果显示：151份被检牛血清和50份牛奶样品,弓形虫抗体均为阴性。490份羊血清弓形虫抗体总阳性率5.71％,其中母羊、公羊血清阳性率分别为4.03％和9.79％;山羊、绵羊、杂交羊血清阳性率分别为6.58％、4.81％和5.13％;阳性率最高的为公山羊（13.2％）,最低的为母绵羊（2.96％）。28份阳性羊血清中,75％的抗体滴度为1：64,25％的抗体滴度为1：256。1岁后的羊,随年龄增长,血清阳性率升高。     

The effect of management and ecological factors on the epidemiology of anaplasmosis in the Red River Plains and south-east areas of Louisiana

The relationship between clinical anaplasmosis and other disease morbidity, nutritional supplementation, vaccinations, external and internal parasite control, tetracycline supplementation, reproductive management and use of veterinary services was assessed in 320 beef cow-calf herds in the Red River Plains and south-east areas of Louisiana. Data were collected both by mailed questionnaires and by interviews with owners who reported the presence or absence of clincal anaplasmosis. A relationship was found between other disease conditions and anaplasmosis, suggesting diseasse as a stressor in Anaplasmosis marginale carrier cattle. The herd location of A. marginale seropositive animals and clinical cases of anaplasmosis were related to areas of bottomland hardwood vegetation in which tabanid flies were abundant. This relationship with vegetation was tested by mapping the location of 209 beef and dairy herds which had been serologically tested for anaplasmosis and 256 cases of clinical anaplasmosis in 113 beef and dairy herds.     

Seroprevalence Investigation and Risk Factors Analysis of Chlamydia Infection in Dairy Cattle in Gansu and Ningxia Areas

The objective of the present investigation was to examine seroprevalence of Chlamydia in dairy cattle in Gansu and Ningxia areas, Northwest China, and to analyze the factors affecting Chlamydia infection in dairy cattle.Indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) was used to detect antibodies against Chlamydia in 1 657 dairy cattle serum samples from Gansu and Ningxia areas.Epidemiological investigation and statistical methods were used to analyze the data.The results showed that the overall seroprevalence was 29.33%, logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the risk factors of Chlamydia infection in dairy cattle, and the results indicated that age and numbers of pregnancy of dairy cattle were not the significant risk factors (P>0.05), and were left out of the final model, however, region was considered as the main risk factor associated with Chlamydia infection (P<0.05).The highest titer was 1:1 024.In conclusion, the results of the present survey indicated the widespread of Chlamydia infection in Gansu and Ningxia areas.In order to ensure the economic benefit of dairy farming, we should pay more attention to Chlamydia infection in dairy cattle, and integrated control strategies and efficient management measures should be implemented to prevent and control Chlamydia infection in dairy cattle.     

甘肃、宁夏地区奶牛衣原体血清流行病学调查及风险因素分析

本研究旨在查明甘肃与宁夏地区奶牛衣原体的感染情况并分析影响其感染的风险因素。本试验采用间接血凝试验(IHA)方法检测了甘肃榆中(751份)、宁夏青铜峡(450份)和宁夏吴忠(456份)3个地方总计1 657份奶牛血清样品,并应用流行病学调查及统计学方法对影响奶牛衣原体感染的因素进行了分析。流行病学调查结果显示,奶牛衣原体抗体总阳性率为29.33%;应用logistic回归分析评估奶牛衣原体感染的风险因素,结果显示年龄和胎次不是显著风险因素(P>0.05),而地区因素是影响奶牛衣原体感染的风险因素(P<0.05)。奶牛衣原体抗体滴度最高达1:1 024。结果表明,甘肃和宁夏地区奶牛衣原体普遍流行。因此,应当提高对调查地区奶牛衣原体感染的重视,采取适当的综合控制方法和有效的管理措施以防控奶牛衣原体病,以保证奶牛养殖业的经济效益。     

影响羊肉品质因素的研究进展

肉品质是指与鲜肉或加工肉的外观和适口性等相关的一些特性,包括肉的色泽、结构、硬度、大理石纹和肌肉系水力等。羊肉品质的物理特性决定着消费者对肉品的可接受性,而化学成分则与营养性关系密切。随着生活水平的提高,消费者对羊肉的要求越来越高。从量变到质变,需要不断改善羊肉品质。目前,生产优质的畜产品已成为热点话题。作者主要就品种、性别、年龄、环境、饲料营养等对羊肉品质有影响的因素进行概括和总结,以期为从营养调控措施入手改善羊肉品质提供科学的理论依据。     

Research Progress on Influence Factors of Mutton Quality

Meat quality means the characteristics such as appearance is related to palatability in fresh meat or manufactured meat, it includes meat color, meat structure, hardness, marbling, water holding capacity and so on.The physical characteristics of mutton quality determines the consumer acceptability of meat and there is a close relationship between chemical composition of mutton quality and nutrient substance.With the improvement of living standards, consumers are increasingly high demand for mutton.From quantitative to qualitative change, we need to continuously improve mutton quality.At present, the production of high quality animal products has become a hot topic.This paper is a summary of the effects of breed, gender, age, environment and feed nutrition on mutton quality, and aims to provide a scientific basis for improving of mutton quality with nutritional regulation measures.     

湖北荆州地区牛血吸虫病流行病学调查

用血清学诊断法,顶管毛蚴孵化法,饱和食盐水漂浮虫卵法等检测湖北荆州地区牛血吸虫感染情况。结果显示,血清学检查阳性率为17.92%,饱和食盐水漂浮虫卵法检查阳性率为19.46%,粪便毛蚴孵化法检查阳性率为16.04%。提示,阳性牛以重、轻度感染居多,该地区是血吸虫病的老疫区,牛血吸虫病比较严重。     

Comparison of the Prevalence and Incidence of Infection with Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) in Denmark and Michigan and Association with Possible Risk Factors

Based on 2 previous surveys on the occurrence of infection with bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in Danish and Michigan dairy herds, the prevalence and incidence of the infection were compared. The presence of certain possible risk factors for the occurrence of infection in the 2 areas were summarized and it was investigated if any of these risk factors had significant effect on the presence of animals persistently infected (PI) with BVDV in the dairy herds. Information on the cattle population density in the 2 areas was obtained from statistical yearbooks. Further information for the individual farms on age distribution, housing of animals, herd size, pasturing and purchasing policy was gathered. The prevalence of PI animals was more than 10 times higher in Denmark as compared to Michigan. In herds without PI animals, the annual incidence of seroconversion as calculated from the age specific prevalence of antibody carriers varied in most age groups between 20–25% in Denmark and between 5–10% in Michigan. All investigated risk factors except for herd size were in favour of a lower prevalence of infection in Michigan. The use of having animals on pasture and at the same time having purchased more than 40 animals within recent 31/2–4 years were significantly associated with presence of PI animals in the dairy herds (p = 0.01) when tested by the Mantel-Haenszel χ². Using mul-tivariable logistic regression, the occurrence of PI animals was found to be significantly related to the study area (Michigan and Denmark) as well as to herd size and purchase intensity.     

The effect of breed,sex, and oral meloxicam administration on pain biomarkers following hot-iron branding in Hereford and Angus calves

Hot-iron branding uses thermal injury to permanently identify cattle causing painful tissue damage. The primary objective was to examine the physiological and behavioral effects of oral meloxicam (MEL), compared to a control, administered at the time of hot-iron branding in Angus and Hereford steers and heifers. The secondary objectives were to investigate breed and sex effects on pain biomarkers. A total of 70 yearlings, consisting of 35 heifers and 35 steers (Angus, Hereford, or Angus × Hereford), were enrolled in the study. Animals were blocked by sex, randomized across weight, and assigned to receive MEL (1 mg/kg) or a placebo (CON). Biomarkers were assessed for 48 h after branding and included infrared thermography (IRT), mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT), accelerometry and a visual analog scale (VAS), and serum cortisol and prostaglandin E₂ metabolites (PGEM). Wound healing was assessed for 12 wk. Hair samples to quantify cortisol levels were taken prior to and 30 d post-branding. Responses were analyzed using repeated measures with calf nested in treatment as a random effect, and treatment, time, treatment by time interaction, breed, and sex as fixed effects. There was a treatment by time interaction for PGEM (P < 0.01) with MEL having lower values than CON at 6, 24, and 48 h (MEL: 18.34 ± 3.52, 19.61 ± 3.48, and 22.24 ± 3.48 pg/mL, respectively; CON: 32.57 ± 3.58, 37.00 ± 3.52, and 33.07 ± 3.48 pg/mL; P < 0.01). MEL showed less of a difference in maximum IRT values between the branded (2.27 ± 0.29 °C) and control site (3.15 ± 0.29 °C; P < 0.01). MEL took fewer lying bouts at 0–12 h (4.91 bouts ± 0.56) compared with CON (6.87 bouts ± 0.55; P < 0.01). Compared with Hereford calves, Angus calves exhibited greater serum but lower hair cortisol, greater PGEM, more lying bouts, and less healed wound scores at 3, 4, and 5 wk. Compared with heifers, steers exhibited lower PGEM, lower branding site and ocular IRT, higher MNT, and lower plasma meloxicam levels. Steers spent more time lying, took more lying bouts and had greater VAS pain, and more healed wound scores at 5 wk than heifers. Meloxicam administration at branding reduced branding and control site temperature differences and reduced lying bouts for the first 12 h. Breed and sex effects were observed across many biomarkers. Changes from baseline values for IRT, MNT, lying time, step count, VAS pain, and wound scoring all support that branding cattle is painful.     

A Cross-sectional Study of Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Farms in Asmara,Eritrea

Bovine tuberculosis in dairy cattle in Asmara, Eritrea, was studied using a cross-sectional study to describe its prevalence and to identify factors associated with it. A total of 72 randomly selected herds were included in the study. The comparative intradermal tuberculin test was used for the diagnosis. Of 1813 individual animals tested, 14.5% were reactors. Thirty herds (41.7%) had at least one reactor but, by defining a reactor herd as any herd with two or more reactors, only 19 (26.4%) herds were classified as reactor herds. Based upon individual animal specificity of 98.5%, the calculated herd specificity was >99%. A multiple logistic model showed that the presence of exotic breeds was associated with a high risk (odds ratio = 5.70; 95% confidence interval 1.13–28.8). An increased risk was also linked to large herds. Keeping the animals always indoors reduced the risk, but could not be fitted to the model owing to empty cells.     

Influence of Age and Breed on Natural Bovine Fasciolosis in an Endemic Area (Galicia,NW Spain)

An analysis was undertaken of the effect of breed and age on bovine fasciolosis using antibody and antigen detection ELISAs. A total of 84.3% of the 1284 serum samples examined had positive antibody values and 20.4% exhibited antigenaemia. The seroprevalence of antibodies in crossbred cattle was higher than that in autochthonous Rubia Gallega, Friesian or Brown Swiss cows. The highest percentage antigenaemia occurred in the Brown Swiss cattle, but the breed differences were not statistically significant. Cattle aged 3–5 years had the highest antibody and circulating antigen prevalence and the age differences were significant. It was concluded that the apparent influence of breed was probably closely associated with the husbandry system. The autochthonous Rubia Gallega may be better adapted to fasciolosis as its percentage of antigenaemia was the lowest.     

Epidemiology and clinical features of human infection with Coxiella burnetii in Denmark during 2006-07

Query (Q) fever was virtually unknown in Denmark in 2005, when, after the introduction of new sensitive diagnostic methods for Coxiella burnetii, an increasing number of positive cattle created concern among people with frequent exposure. This led to a dramatic rise in examinations for Q fever among humans in the following 2 years. The aim of our study was to assess indication for testing and symptoms in individuals with serological signs of infection with C. burnetii. We performed a case-review study of seropositives among all humans tested for Q fever in 2006-07 in Denmark. Seropositive cases were categorized with acute infection: 4-fold increase in immunoglobulin G (IgG) phase II or concomitant IgM phase II ≥ 1 : 256 and IgG phase II ≥ 1 : 1024; and previous infection: IgG phase II ≥ 1 : 1024. A borderline result was defined as: IgG phase II = 1 : 512. Physicians completed a questionnaire retrospectively. Of the 1613 people tested, 177 (11%) were seropositive [37 (2%) acute infection, 140 (9%) previous infection], 180 had a borderline result. Among 127 seropositives responders, 31% were tested due to symptoms compatible with Q fever after a possible exposure to C. burnetii, 64% were asymptomatic and were tested following relevant exposure only; 64% were males, 43% farmers, 39% veterinarians, 84% had been exposed to cattle. The most frequently reported symptoms were asthenia (25%), myalgia (21%), fever (17%) and headache (13%). About two-thirds of seropositives reported asymptomatic infections, and were tested for Q fever because of concern for occupational exposure to cattle. One-third of the seropositives reported symptoms consistent with Q fever, the majority being mild. Our study provided important evidence that increased requests for Q fever testing in 2006-07 arose from heightened public awareness of the disease, and not from an outbreak of clinical disease. Nonetheless, Q fever should be considered endemic in Denmark.     

Shedding and Seroprevalence of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Sheep and Cattle at a New Zealand Abattoir

A cross‐sectional study was carried out on sheep and cattle slaughtered at a New Zealand abattoir from September to November 2010 to investigate the supplier‐specific shedding rate, renal carriage rate and seroprevalence of leptospires. In the 2008/2009 season, this abattoir experienced three human leptospirosis cases from 20 staff, of which two were hospitalized. Urine, kidney and blood samples were collected from carcasses of 399 sheep (six suppliers, 17 slaughter lines) and 146 cattle (three suppliers, 22 slaughter lines). The urine and kidney samples were tested by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR), while serum samples (from coagulated blood samples) were tested by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In total, 27% (73/274; 95% CI: 18–37) of urine samples tested positive by qPCR. Species‐specific shedding rates (prevalence of positive urine qPCR) were 31% (95% CI: 17–48) for sheep and 21% (95% CI: 14–30) for cattle. For 545 kidney samples tested, 145 were qPCR positive (27%; 95% CI: 17–39). The average prevalence of kidney qPCR positivity was 29% (95% CI: 17–45) for sheep and 21% (95% CI: 15–28) for cattle. Three hundred and thirty of 542 sampled sheep and cattle had antibodies against Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjobovis (Hardjobovis) and/or Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona (Pomona), based on reciprocal MAT titre ≥1 : 48 (overall seroprevalence of 61%; 95% CI: 48–73). Seroprevalence was 57% (95% CI: 40–72) for sheep and 73% (95% CI: 59–83) for cattle. Among the seropositive animals, 41% (70/170; 95% CI: 30–54) were shedding (tested positive by urine qPCR) and 42% (137/330; 95% CI: 30–54) had renal carriage (tested positive by kidney qPCR). Some risk management options for abattoirs or farms to prevent human leptospirosis infections include vaccination of maintenance hosts, the use of personal protective equipment, and the application of urine qPCR to detect shedding status of stock as surveillance and as an alert.