Experimental tuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

This study was designed to investigate experimental Mycobacterium bovis infection of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Three intravenously inoculated deer (dose 10µg–1000µg) developed miliary tuberculosis of the lungs and all died within 28 days of being infected. No clinical illnesses were observed in four subcutaneously (dose 1 uµg–100uµg) and three intratracheally (dose lµg–100µg) inoculated deer. At the conclusion of the experiment six weeks post inoculation, these seven animals reacted to 2 mg/ml of bovine purified protein derivative. The principal lesions in the intravenously inoculated deer were in the lungs which had multiple foci of necrosis containing very large numbers of acid fast bacilli. A gradation of changes was seen in the subcutaneously inoculated deer. The animal receiving the 1µg dose only had lesions at the injection site and the draining prescapular lymph node. Deer receiving higher doses also had histopathological changes in the lungs and liver. Microscopic changes in the intratracheally infected animals were restricted to the thoracic cavity. The ability of the deer to control infection was related to the route of inoculation.     

Experimental tuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

This study was designed to investigate experimental Mycobacterium bovis infection of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Three intravenously inoculated deer (dose 10 microg-1000 microg) developed miliary tuberculosis of the lungs and all died within 28 days of being infected. No clinical illnesses were observed in four subcutaneously (dose 1 microg-1000 microg) and three intratracheally (dose 10 microg-100 microg) inoculated deer. At the conclusion of the experiment six weeks post inoculation, these seven animals reacted to 2 mg/ml of bovine purified protein derivative. The principal lesions in the intravenously inoculated deer were in the lungs which had multiple foci of necrosis containing very large numbers of acid fast bacilli. A gradation of changes was seen in the subcutaneously inoculated deer. The animal receiving the 1 microg dose only had lesions at the injection site and the draining prescapular lymph node. Deer receiving higher doses also had histopathological changes in the lungs and liver. Microscopic changes in the intratracheally infected animals were restricted to the thoracic cavity. The ability of the deer to controlled infection was related to the route of inoculation.     

Experimental transmission of malignant catarrhal fever to red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

Malignant catarrhal fever was transmitted from affected to recipient red deer (Cervus eluphus) using bloodor lymphoid suspension as inoculum. Incubation periods ranged from 11 to 26 days. The disease was also transmitted using lymphoid suspension stored overnight at 4°C or at ?70°C for 8 months.

The experimental disease was characterised by fever, depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and dysentry. The course of the disease was approximately 96 hours.

Major lesions consisted of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute haemorrhagic typhlitis and colitis. Lesions in the caecum and colon started as multifocal mucosal haemorrhages and progressed rapidly to massive mucosal haemorrhage.     

Experimental transmission of malignant catarrhal fever to red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Malignant catarrhal fever was transmitted from affected to recipient red deer (Cervus elaphus) using blood or lymphoid suspension as inoculum. Incubation periods ranged from 11 to 26 days. The disease was also transmitted using lymphoid suspension stored overnight at 4 degrees C or at -70 degrees C for 8 months. The experimental disease was characterised by fever, depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and dysentry. The course of the disease was approximately 96 hours. Major lesions consisted of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute haemorrhagic typhlitis and colitis. Lesions in the caecum and colon started as multifocal mucosal haemorrhages and progressed rapidly to massive mucosal haemorrhage.     

Tuberculosis in imported red deer (Cervus elaphus)

An outbreak of tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in farmed red deer imported from an eastern European country is described. Twenty-six of the 106 deer examined at autopsy were found to be infected and 19 had visible lesions of tuberculosis. Single comparative intradermal tuberculin tests on 51 deer showed that the test had a specificity of 61.3 per cent and a sensitivity of 80 per cent relative to subsequent biological and cultural tests on tissues taken at autopsy. Three hundred and seventy eight culled fallow and sika deer which had been running in a park in contact with some of the infected animals were found to be free of tuberculosis.     

Quantification of the transmission of bovine herpesvirus 1 among red deer (Cervus elaphus) under experimental conditions

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) is endemically present in a cattle population that lives in a nature reserve in the Netherlands. Red deer (Cervus elaphus), living in the same nature reserve, can come into contact with the BHV1-infected cattle and could then become infected with BHV1. For the eradication of BHV1 in cattle, it is, therefore, important to know whether red deer alone can play a role in the transmission of BHV1. For that reason, we quantified the transmission of BHV1 among farmed red deer under experimental conditions. Two groups of ten animals were formed. In each group, five of these animals were inoculated with BHV1 and the other five served as contact animals. Three inoculated animals in each transmission experiment became infected and none of the contact animals became infected. The one-sided 95% confidence interval for R [0.0-0.94] showed that limited transmission might occur among red deer. Based on these results, we would expect only minor outbreaks of BHV1 to occur in red deer populations. We concluded that BHV1 will probably not survive longer than a few decades (several times the mean deer lifetime) in red deer populations. Consequently, it is not necessary for the eradication of BHV1 in cattle to eradicate BHV1 in red deer populations as well.     

Electrical stunning of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Eighteen of 23 red deer (Cervus elaphus) at a deer slaughtering premises were successfully stunned with an apparatus modified from that normally used to stun sheep. The five unsuccessful electrical stuns were associated with poor head restraint and poor head contact by the electrodes. The median stunning current was 0.9 A, and in the majority of cases the duration of stunning was less than 1 second. The signs of the electrically induced epileptiform seizures in the deer were dissimilar to those seen in sheep, cattle and pigs, in that the initial tonic phase was less marked, and of shorter duration. A similar shorter and less obvious tonic phase was noted in four deer shot with a captive bolt pistol. Two animals which were electrically stunned, and bled within 10 seconds, showed no signs of recovery while bleeding. The electroencephalograms of four deer stunned with currents of 1.3 A for a duration of either 0.5 or 1.0 seconds were recorded under more controlled conditions. All four animals developed electroencephalograms typical of an epileptiform seizure. The animals exhibited behavioural reactions similar to the other 18 animals in the trial at the deer slaughtering premises and were rendered unconscious for between 54 and 122 seconds. The electroencephalogram activity amplitude was greater than that recorded immediately before stunning and took between 6 and 9 seconds to build up to maximum value. It is concluded that, providing the heads of deer are adequately restrained, head-only electrical stunning can be incorporated into a humane method of slaughter for deer.     

Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Twelve adult female red deer (Cervus elaphus) were given 250 mg of ceftiofur sodium by intramuscular injection (i.m.) and ballistic implant in a crossover design. Blood samples were taken from an in-dwelling jugular catheter prior to drug administration and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h postadministration of the drug. Samples were centrifuged and plasma kept frozen at -70 degrees C until analysis for ceftiofur and active metabolites using an HPLC method. The pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur and metabolites after i.m. dosing and following ballistic implant were quite different. Absorption after i.m. injection was rapid; whereas following ballistic implant there was a lag-time until concentrations were detectable in plasma. The maximum concentration reached in plasma was higher following injection compared with ballistic implant, however the AUC calculated after ballistic implant was almost identical to the mean AUC found after i.m. dosing. The results indicate that i.m. administration of ceftiofur maintains adequate plasma levels for most susceptible bacterial pathogens for at least 12 h; therefore twice daily administration is needed in red deer. Ballistic implants produced plasma concentrations above the MIC for most bacterial pathogens from 4 to 24 h in most animals after administration; however, absorption of the drug was variable and some did not maintain effective concentrations for more than a few hours. Ceftiofur is a useful drug in red deer and twice daily i.m. administration dosing should allow treatment for susceptible bacterial pathogens.     

Pharmacokinetics of oxfendazole in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The pharmacokinetics of oxfendazole (OFZ) in red deer (Cervus elaphus) was examined. OFZ, administered per os at 4.53 mg kg-1, was extracted in ether from plasma and identified and concentrations estimated by high pressure liquid chromatography. Irrespective of whether the animals were fed concentrates indoors as pellets or grass while on pasture, OFZ was absorbed rapidly. Concentrations of OFZ in plasma reached maxima within 20 hours (0.83 and 1.005 mg litre-1 respectively) and were undetectable 36 hours after administration. Fenbendazole was not detected at any time in the chromatograms. Metabolism of OFZ occurred rapidly producing the sulphone metabolite. In comparison with published data for OFZ in sheep, red deer appear to metabolise OFZ and excrete OFZ sulphone at much faster rates. Consequently, anthelmintic efficacy is likely to vary from species to species.     

Babesias of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Ireland

ABSTRACT: Blood samples were obtained from 38 wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) at two sites in Ireland and subjected to PCR analysis of the 18S rRNA gene followed by sequencing. Two fragments of the 18S rRNA gene were generated by two different PCR protocols and subsequent sequencing suggested that at least six of the deer were infected by a babesia that, in those loci, is indistinguishable from Babesia divergens, an important tick-borne pathogen of cattle and of zoonotic significance. Additionally, a B. odocoilei-like parasite was detected in three samples and a babesia that did not match any sequences in the GenBank database was found in five samples. Neither B. capreoli nor B. venatorum (EU1) were found. There have been several reports of B. divergens occurring in deer species, including red deer, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). However, in view of recent re-sequencing of bovine-origin samples deposited previously in GenBank, it is unlikely that any of these sequences from deer are B. divergens. The present study describes the only deer piroplasm detected so far that shows complete identity with B. divergens, in just over half of the 18S rRNA gene. The entire gene of this deer parasite should be analysed and transmission experiments undertaken before the infectivity of B. divergens for red deer can be confirmed.     

Dictyocaulus infection in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Post mortem examination of red deer calves on a deer farm situated on hill ground in north-east Scotland revealed infection by a lungworm morphologically similar to Dictyocaulus viviparus. Trials were conducted to monitor the natural development of D viviparus infection in red deer, to investigate the value of a commercial lungworm vaccine and to evaluate methods of treating clinical cases. The findings indicate that the syndrome may be less apparent in red deer than it is in cattle, protection might be gained by vaccination and that housing and medication provide useful therapy. The extent of clinical disease is likely to depend on the general health, bodily condition and nutritional status of the animals versus the weight of infection acquired from the pasture. However, various factors can affect both sides in this confrontation.     

Efficacy trial of an irradiated cattle lungworm vaccine in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Lungworm (Dictyocaulus sp.) is the parasite of most concern to the New Zealand deer industry. Although lungworm can be controlled by anthelmintics there is an increasing concern over excessive drenching programmes and reliance on chemicals for parasite control. A live irradiated larval vaccine developed for cattle has been available in Europe for the past 40 years but has never been evaluated in red deer in New Zealand. Four groups of red deer and two of cattle were hand reared from birth in parasite-free conditions. The cattle acted as a control group to ensure that the vaccine was still efficacious on arrival in New Zealand. Two groups of deer were vaccinated, and all four groups were challenged with either D. viviparus or deer origin Dictyocaulus, tentatively identified as D. eckerti. The vaccine provided excellent protection to cattle under New Zealand conditions, there was no larval output in the vaccinated cattle and no adults were found in their lungs at necropsy. In red deer, patency was delayed in the vaccinated groups regardless of challenge species and larval output was lower but was not prevented. Adult lungworms were found in the lungs of all deer at necropsy but fewer were recorded in the vaccinated deer. Although Huskvac provided a degree of protection for red deer it was not effective enough to recommend its use.     

Selenium supplementation of young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Two selenium (Se) supplementation trials were conducted in successive years involving a total of 70 red deer calves 3-15 months of age grazing pasture containing 30-57 ppb of Se on a dry matter basis. The trials compared growth rate, whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) concentrations of calves which received periodic doses of oral Se or a single injection of barium selenate (equivalent to 50 mg Se) or no Se supplementation. There were no significant weight gain differences between treated and untreated groups in either trial. Whole blood GSHpx levels were strongly correlated with blood Se levels (r = 0.9278) and produced the following regression equation: GSHpx = 0.0155 Se - 2.292. In both years the 3 month old calves had GSHpx levels of 6-9 kU/I which probably derived from maternal transfer of Se. The GSHpx levels in unsupplemented calves declined from these levels to a minimum in winter (group means approximately 2.6) and then progressively rose the following spring and summer. Periodical oral dosing with Se or a single injection of barium selenate significantly elevated blood Se and GSHpx levels throughout the trials.     

Selenium supplementation of young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

Two selenium (Se) supplementation trials were conducted in successive years involving a total of 70 red deer calves 3–15 months of age grazing pasture containing 30–57 ppb of Se on a dry matter basis. The trials compared growth rate, whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) concentrations of calves which received periodic doses of oral Se or a single injection of barium selenate (equivalent to 50 mg Se) or no Se supplementation. There were no significant weight gain differences between treated and untreated groups in either trial. Whole blood GSHpx levels were strongly correlated with blood Se levels (r = 0.9278) and produced the following regression equation: GSHpx 0.0155 Se ? 2.292.

In both years the 3 month old calves had GSHpx levels of 6–9 kU/l which probably derived from maternal transfer of Se. The GSHpx levels in unsupplemented calves declined from these levels to a minimum in winter (group means ? 2.6) and then progressively rose the following spring and summer.

Periodical oral dosing with Se or a single injection of barium selenate significantly elevated blood Se and GSHpx levels throughout the trials.     

Paratuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus): an immunohistochemical study

In the present study, we compared the utility of immunohistochemistry with serological and histological results for the characterization of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) in tissues of affected red deer. Bacterial isolation was considered the standard reference. Samples were taken from seven clinically affected animals with typical macroscopic lesions. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the gel diffusion tests (GD) were used for serological determinations. Samples from intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes were processed for bacterial isolation and histology. M. paratuberculosis was isolated from all the animals. Histologically, lymph nodes displayed necrosis and mineralization at the cortical and medullar areas. Ziehl-Neelsen stained bacteria were numerous inside macrophages and Langhans-type giant cells. Giant and epithelioid cells and lymphocytes were prominent at the ileal mucous membrane. The immunostaining of M. paratuberculosis was very clear inside epithelioid and giant cells. Image analysis was carried out to determine the immunostained area. There was total agreement among the methods employed. Immunohistochemistry can be very useful when the microorganism cannot be recovered from tissues or faeces.