Antibody seroprevalences against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus in camels, cattle, goats and sheep in Ethiopia

A questionnaire-survey data indicated that 26% of 276 farmers reported the presence of respiratory disease in their herds in 2001. The incidence was perceived as "high" in small ruminants and camels, but as "low" in cattle. Simultaneously, 2815 serum samples from camels (n=628), cattle (n=910), goats (n=442) and sheep (n=835) were tested. The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) antibody seroprevalence was 3% in camels, 9% in cattle, 9% in goats and 13% in sheep. The highest locality-specific seroprevalences were: camels 10%, cattle 16%, goats 22% and sheep 23%. The animals had not been vaccinated against rinderpest or PPR. Antibody seroprevalences detected in camels, cattle, goats and sheep confirmed natural transmission of PPR virus under field conditions.     

A microaerophilic coccus in pyogenic infections of ruminants

Pyogenic infections of cattle, sheep and goats were examined for the presence of a Gram positive bacterium that has been designated "microaerophilic coccus" by other workers. The bacterium was found to be involved in a range of disease processes, including foot and soft tissue abscesses, mastitis, pericarditis and pyometra in cattle, joint and foot abscesses in sheep and foot abscesses in goats. The characteristic feature of the bacterium was its satellitic growth around colonies of other organisms. The microaerophilic coccus was usually part of a mixed flora, which included Corynebacterium pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Peptostreptococcus indolicus and Bacteroides sp.     

Usefulness of clinical observations and blood chemistry values for predicting clinical outcomes in dairy goats with pregnancy toxaemia

Background

Pregnancy toxaemia (PT) is a disease that affects pregnant goats during their last month of gestation and is characterized by a high case fatality rate. This study involved 32 does maintained on a commercial dairy goat farm that were diagnosed with PT. A physical examination was performed on and haematology parameters obtained from each doe, at the time of diagnosis. The data from the 24 PT goats that died was compared with the corresponding data from the 8 PT goats that survived.

Results

Polypnea, swollen limbs, anorexia with absence of ruminal motility, recumbency, nervous signs and drooping ears were the most frequently observed clinical manifestations. Nineteen out of 21 recumbent goats died. Sixteen out of 17 goats with anorexia and absence of ruminal motility died. Mean beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) values in the goats that died were not significantly different from those in goats that survived. The blood values for pH and pCO₂ (p?<?0.005) as well as for HCO₃ ^?, BE and K⁺ (p?<?0.001) were significantly lower in the goats that died than in those that survived.

Conclusions

The clinical signs most indicative of a poor prognosis are anorexia with absence of ruminal motility and recumbency. Among the blood parameters to be considered, hypokalaemia and metabolic acidosis are the most relevant. Goats with PT have a high mortality and their condition can deteriorate very fast. Based on the authors’s experience, a good strategy to minimize the economic losses caused by PT is to focus on the offspring survival rate since an early decision (induction of kidding or caesarian surgery) can increase the number of alive kids.

     

Extended surveillance for CBPP in a free country: Challenges and solutions regarding the potential caprine reservoir

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a severe respiratory disease of cattle and buffalo caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides "Small Colony" (MmmSC). The agent of CBPP has been isolated from goats in different countries including CBPP-free areas. Goats can therefore be regarded as a putative MmmSC reservoir. No diagnostic test for CBPP surveillance in goats has been proposed as yet. Furthermore, serological tests could be seriously hampered by a widespread caprine infection due to the subspecies M. mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), which is antigenically very close to MmmSC and displays high levels of genetic variability. A competition ELISA (cELISA) is currently used to screen for CBPP in cattle at the herd level in infected areas. The aim of this study was to see if the same cELISA would be specific enough to be used to screen goats despite the potential concomitant infection with Mmc. The cELISA titers of goats from Mmc-infected and non-infected herds were comparable and negative using the accepted cutoff for bovine sera. In contrast, seroconversion was observed in goats experimentally inoculated with an Mmc strain that cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody targeting the same epitope as that used in cELISA. The probability of such false positivity occurring under field conditions is very low since Mmc strains with such an atypical antigenic profile emerge only rarely as a result of random nucleotide variation of the epitope-coding region. In conclusion, the commercially available cELISA can be considered specific enough to be used as a primary test to monitor passage of the CBPP agent in goats, but its sensitivity in goats requires further investigation.     

Studies on gangrenous mastitis in goats

One hundred and fifty goats were diagnosed as having proven gangrenous mastitis. The disease was categorized into early, intermediate and late stages. Gangrenous mastitis in goats is typified by a sudden onset, dark hyperemia, and edema with progressive discoloration of the distal part of the udder. The disease affected lactating goats but not the dry ones. Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 60% of composite and half milk samples obtained from the diseased goats. The histopathological changes mainly comprised proliferation of connective tissue, thrombosis and necrosis involving a group of lobules. Treatment of the early and intermediate stages of the disease was successful through the administration of systemic and intramammary terramycin together with diuretics and topical antiseptic cream. The late stage of the disease was successfully treated only through surgery.     

The effects of PPR on the reproductive health of Black Bengal goats and the possible role played by oxidative stress

Outbreaks of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) viral disease in Black Bengal goats were investigated from the middle Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Clinical profile of PPR-affected flocks was recorded from four different outbreak sites of the region. The PPR outbreak was diagnosed serologically using commercially available sandwich ELISA kit. Relatively, low mortality rate (mean 26.75%) for PPR outbreak was recorded due to the endemic status of the disease. To understand the role of oxidative stress in PPR virus pathogenesis, various oxidant and antioxidant parameters in goats infected with PPR were estimated and compared with the uninfected/healthy goats of the same flock. The measured high level of pro-oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA) obtained from lipid peroxidation along with lower levels of anti-oxidants viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in PPR-affected Black Bengal goats suggests oxidative stress as one of the mechanism of pathogenesis of PPR virus. In addition, the correlation of oxidative stress due to PPR and the resulting reproductive disorders in the female goats were evaluated. The abortion in pregnant does observed during PPR outbreak was proportional to debility and oxidative stress manifested during PPR infection. The reproductive performance of recovered female goats in the period of 18 months of monitoring was significantly compromised in terms of kidding and twinning frequency. The mortality rate in kids born from PPR-recovered goats was significantly higher compared to those from health goats in the first 9 months post-recovery. From the present study, it may be concluded that together with the PPR virus, infection in goats and the resulting oxidative stress play a vital role for abortion and reduced post-reproductive performance in Black Bengal female goat.     

Pathogenic mechanisms of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus

Goats infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) show chronic arthritis and cachexia, which are progressive in nature. The immunopathogenic mechanisms responsible for these progressive clinical symptoms have not been fully elucidated. Various haematological and immunological parameters were evaluated in experimentally-infected goats showing typical signs of CAEV-induced disease. Infected goats showed recurrent lymphocytosis that may be due to constant presentation of antigen by infected cells of a monocyte/macrophage lineage. The serum alkaline phosphatase and -glutamyl transferase concentrations were elevated in infected goats, a characteristic of hepatic and bone disorders. All other serum chemistry parameters were similar between infected and control goats. Importantly, the serum tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) levels were higher in infected goats. The cachexia seen in infected goats may be at least partly due to altered metabolism as a result of prolonged elevation of serum TNF- levels. Depressed natural killer cell activity was observed in infected goats and may contribute towards the establishment of a persistent infection with CAEV.Abbreviations AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - CAEV caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus - GGT -glutamyl transferase - HBSS Hanks' balanced salt solution - HIV human immunodeficiency virus - NK natural killer - PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PCR polymerase chain reaction - SAP serum alkaline phosphatase - TNF tumour necrosis factor     

Isolation of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides from Polyarthritis and Mastitis of Goats in Canada

The clinical signs, pathomorphological changes, and microbiological findings in Canadian goats infected with Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides are discussed. The disease affected mainly young goats and was characterized by septicemia and polyarthritis. Mastitis followed by septicemia was seen in two mature goats. The diagnosis was made by culture and identification of the mycoplasma. Infected goats without clinical signs were identified by cultural and serological (complement fixation) techniques. Healthy carriers are presumably able to transmit the infection and may have brought the disease to Canada.     

Study on caprine and ovine dermatophilosis in Wollo,Northeast Ethiopia

A study on dermatophilosis in sheep (n = 1432) and goats (n = 1128) was conducted in Northeast Ethiopia. Out of 2560 examined animals, 55 (2.14%) had clinical dermatophilosis. The respective prevalence in sheep and goats were 1.5% and 2.9%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence between sheep and goats and different sexes in both species. In goats, the prevalence in young (8.7%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in adults (2.3%). Clinical disease was associated with orf (45% in sheep and 12% in goats), pox (22% in sheep and 18% in goats) and ticks in goats (36%, 12/33). Other risk factors associated with transmission and spread of the disease were discussed. Vaccination against concurrent infections, improved management schemes to alleviate the impact of risk factors and early antibiotic treatment against clinical disease are recommended.     

The possible role of Ostertagia circumcincta, coccidiosis and dietary protein level in the development of swelling disease in Angora goat kids

A trial was carried out to investigate the possible role of Ostertagia circumcincta, coccidiosis and level of protein in the diet in the development of swelling disease in Angora goat kids. Eighty Angora goat kids were bought from 5 producers whose flocks had a history of swelling disease. These kids were kept in enclosures at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute near Middelburg (Eastern Cape) for the duration of the experiment. The animals received a combination of the following treatments: (a) high protein vs normal protein diet; (b) Ostertagia circumcincta infection or no O. circumcincta infection; (c) coccidial infection or no coccidial infection. Data recorded included weekly body weight, weekly total plasma protein levels (TPP), weekly faecal egg counts, weekly coccidial oocyst counts and haematology at Weeks 1, 5, 9, 13 and 16. The goats were also monitored daily for any clinical symptoms. There was no specific trend in any of the parameters measured among the different treatment groups at any stage during the experimental period. The goats were shorn during Week 10 of the experiment. On Monday 6 September 2004 (Week 12 of the study), 19 of the goats developed some subcutaneous oedema. The Saturday (4 September 2004) was rather hot (30 degrees C), followed by very cold rainy conditions (11 degrees C) on Sunday (5 September 2004). Twelve of the goats developed what can be described as little oedema, while 7 developed moderate oedema. The number of goats that developed oedema was fairly evenly distributed among the various treatment groups. As far as the specific treatments are concerned, more goats on the normal protein diet developed moderate oedema than the goats on the high protein diet. Body weights of goats that developed moderate oedema were lower throughout the experimental period than body weights of goats that developed little or no oedema, while TPP of goats that developed moderate oedema were lower from Week 5 of the study onwards. There were also no significant differences at any stage throughout the experimental period in faecal egg counts, faecal coccidial oocyst counts or any of the blood parameters between goats that developed moderate oedema, little oedema and those that did not develop any oedema. No goats developed full-blown swelling disease during the course of the experiment. It is possible that the treatments applied in this study are not inductive of the disease, or the effects of the treatments were not severe enough to induce swelling disease.     

Application of ultrasonography in prevalence studies of hydatid cysts in goats in north-western Turkana, Kenya and Toposaland, southern Sudan

A study was done to determine the prevalence of hydatid cysts in goats using ultrasonography. A total of 1,390 goats were examined, 43,6 % (606/1,390) of them from north-western Turkana, Kenya, and 56,4% (784/1,390) from Toposaland, southern Sudan. Hydatid cysts were visualized in 1,82 % (11/ 606) of the goats from north-western Turkana and 4,34% (34/784) of those from Toposaland. Unlike abattoir surveys, the prevalence data obtained in this study were unbiased because entire flocks were examined. The lower prevalence rate of the disease in goats from Turkana was attributed to the hydatid disease control programme in that area, which is absent in Toposaland.     

Experimental infection of alpine goats with a Moroccan strain of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV)

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) recently caused a serious outbreak of disease in Moroccan sheep and goats. Alpine goats were highly susceptible to PPRV with mortality rates approaching 100%, as opposed to local breeds of sheep which were less susceptible to the disease. The relative susceptibility of alpine goats was investigated through an experimental infection study with the Moroccan strain of PPRV. Severe clinical signs were observed in the alpine goats with virus being excreted through ocular, nasal and oral routes. No difference in the severity of the disease in goats was observed with different inoculation routes and transmission of the virus by direct contact was confirmed. This study confirmed the susceptibility of the alpine goat to PPRV infection and describes a challenge protocol that effectively and consistently reproduced severe clinical signs of PPR in experimentally infected goats.     

First report of infectious necrotic hepatitis (black disease) among Nubian goats in Sudan.

In a flock of 425 female and male Nubian goats in the Khartoum Province, an outbreak of a disease causing sudden death of 18 apparently healthy goats occurred (11 females and 7 males, 3-6 years old). Adult Fasciola gigantica were found in the livers of all goats and in seven of them Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts. These organs showed necrotic and severe histopathological changes. Clostridium novyi type B was isolated from necrotic areas of all livers and found to be highly pathogenic and toxigenic to laboratory animals. The disease was diagnosed as infectious necrotic hepatitis (black disease). Faecal examination revealed the presence of F. gigantica eggs. Lymnaea natalensis snails were found to be prevalent in the water canals. As the Khartoum Province is regarded as an endemic area for black disease, routine vaccination is highly recommended for its control in goats and sheep.     

Intersexuality in hornless XX-goats: pathological findings in 2 young pseudobucks, 3 young bucks with urethral diverticula and 2 pseudohermaphroditic kids]

Dealing with the subject "polled goats intersexuality", whose problems are discussed, we studied the pathology of 7 3-month old XX-kids: 2 pseudomales, 3 males with urethral diverticulum (1 animal with 2 U.D.), and 2 testicular pseudohermaphrodites. Four horned male kids of comparable age were used as control. Urethral diverticula, seen now and then in local breeds, i.e. in "chamois-colored" mountain goats, Saanen, and Toggenburg goats, are rather unknown and only sporadically reported abroad. In agreement with previous histological studies, the testes were hypoplastic, the spermatogonia absent. In no case ovarian tissue was found. The Leydig cells appeared to be functionally active. The selection of an experimental flock of intersex-free polled goats is proposed.     

Evidence of identification of peste des petits ruminants from goats in Egypt

Peste des petits ruminants virus was isolated from young goats in an outbreak of the disease for the first time in Egypt. Affected goats showed symptoms simulating rinderpest, disease in cattle. The mortality rate was about 30%, and morbidity reached 90%. History, clinical symptoms, postmortem lesions, and diagnosis were discussed.     

Reaction of goats to infection with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus

Intranasal exposure of goats to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus resulted in mild respiratory disease and virus reisolation from nasal secretions. No disease was produced in goats exposed to the same virus by the genital or ocular routes. There was serological evidence of contact transmission of infection from infected goats to cattle. Virus recrudescence was not detected in goats treated with dexamethasone two months after virus inoculation.     

Presence of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease virus (border disease) in sheep and goat flocks in Quebec.

A seroepidemiological study of border disease was conducted in sheep and goats in various areas of Quebec. Sera of 10% of animals of selected flocks were collected and specific antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea- mucosal disease were tested by seroneutralization. Results show that 10.9% and 16% of sheep and goats respectively gave a positive reaction. The lower serological prevalence was found in sheep flocks of the Sherbrooke area (5.4%) while the highest percentage of positive sera was observed in the Quebec area (24.7%). The prevalence in goats varied according to areas (2.6 to 45.5%). No relation was observed in seropositive animals between age, sex, breed and the presence of abortions in the flocks. Our serological results indicate that border disease is probably present in Quebec sheep and goat flocks but that the clinical diagnosis of this disease is not well established.     

Severe persistent orf in young goats.

Orf (contagious ecthyma) is a viral disease of small and wild ruminants, humans, and less frequently other species. In sheep and goats, the disease is characterized by the formation of vesiculo-proliferative lesions in the skin of lips and nostril. Here, a form of generalized orf in 16 goat kids from 2 different locations in west Texas is described. The disease was characterized by multifocal, severe, proliferative dermatitis that persisted from about 2 months of age until the goat kids were euthanized 3 months later. All affected goats were Boer or Boer crosses under 1 year of age. The mean immunoglobulin concentration in sera of affected goats was elevated compared with healthy control goats. Severe to moderate lymphadenomegaly of the nodes draining the areas of the skin affected with orf lesions was present in all 16 goat kids. Suppurative arthritis, chronic fibrinous pneumonia, and premature thymic involution were found in 3, 5, and 7 of the goat kids, respectively. The skin lesions of 3 goat kids were infested with larvae of the opportunistic black garbage fly (Ophira sp.). The orf virus was identified in skin lesions by isolation in Marbin-Darby ovine kidney cells, electron microscopy, and amplification of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The orf virus was not detected in peripheral blood or lymph node mononuclear cells of any of the goats. Cross-neutralization experiments showed that an ovine orf virus antiserum raised in sheep was more effective in neutralizing a sheep orf virus isolate than a caprine orf virus isolate. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of these orf cases may be the result of susceptibility factors within some individuals of the Boer breed of goats.     

基于UPLC-MS/MS技术研究濒死状态下新生羔羊血清代谢物变化

基于流行病学的角度,旨在初步探索与新生羔羊疾病相关的代谢标识物。本研究采用病理对照试验设计,利用高效液相色谱串联质谱比较病危临死新生羔羊与健康新生羔羊（相同日龄）的血清代谢差异。结果显示：两组血清代谢物能得到较好区分,共鉴定出13种差异代谢物,KEGG富集分析显示,这些差异代谢物主要富集在氨基酸生物合成和代谢通路上。羔羊濒死过程中血清内源性代谢物发生明显改变,可为新生羔羊疾病诊断标识物的筛选和构建提供基础。