Occurrence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii in domestic ruminants in Lebanon

Coxiella burnetii causes diseases in humans (Q fever) and animals, domestic ruminants playing a major role in the epidemiology of the infection. Information on C. burnetii infection in Lebanon is scanty. In order to assess the prevalence of C. burnetii infection in ruminants, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2014. A total of 1633 sera from ruminants (865 cattle, 384 sheep and 384 goats) from 429 farms (173 cattle, 128 sheep and 128 goats), in seven provinces of Lebanon were randomly selected and assayed for the presence of antibodies.39.86% of farms (95% CI: 35.23–44.56) resulted positive. The seroprevalence was 30.63% in Cattle-farms, 46.88% in sheep-farms and 45.31% in goat-farms.Milk samples collected from 282 seropositive animals (86 cows, 93 sheep and 103 goats) from 171 positive farms were tested by a high sensitive Real-Time PCR targeted to the IS1111 transposon of C. burnetii. The overall prevalence in farms was estimated to be 14.04%. Cattle-, sheep- and goat farm prevalence rates were 15.09%, 10% and 17.24%, respectively.The findings of the study show that C. burnetii prevalence in Lebanese domestic ruminants is related to animal species and farming practices. Indeed, the mixed herds with sheep (p < 0.01), the presence of common lambing/kidding areas (p < 0.001) in farms where the use of disinfectants was not a routine practice (p < 0.05) were identified as important risk factors.The results of the study provide baseline information for setting up herd management and public health measures for the prevention and control of Q fever in Lebanon.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in young domestic livestock in India

A total of 938 faecal samples (461 cattle calves, 264 buffalo calves, 55 lambs, 116 kids and 42 piglets) from different livestock farms and individual small holdings in six targeted states of India were collected and screened by modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and its association with age, sex, season and faecal consistency in domesticated animals. Overall, 16.2 % of the animals were positive for Cryptosporidium infection with prevalence of 16.3, 24.2, 1.8, 3.5 and 19.1 % in cattle calves, buffalo calves, lambs, kids and piglets, respectively. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher (p?<?0.05) in bovines (19.3 % cattle and 33.7 % buffalo) below 1 month of age than in animals between 1 and 3 months of age. But in piglets, it was higher in the age group of 1 to 3 months (22.6 %) than in younger animals (9.1 %). Also, higher prevalence (p?>?0.05) was recorded in females than in males. Seasons had a significant effect (p?<?0.05) on the prevalence of infection in large ruminants, with the highest prevalence in monsoon (cattle 28.8 % and buffalo 36.6 %) followed by pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season. However, in case of sheep and goats, the prevalence was higher (p?>?0.05) in post-monsoon than in monsoon season. A high degree of association was noticed between Cryptosporidium infection and diarrhoea in ruminants screened during the present study. But, in case of pigs, the prevalence was higher in non-diarrhoeic than in diarrhoeic animals. Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. based on nested PCR amplification of partial 18S rRNA and its subsequent digestion with SspI, VspI and MboII restriction enzymes revealed prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in representative number of positive samples of cattle, buffalo and goats.     

Serological evidence of Ife virus infection in Nigerian indigenous domestic ruminants

Serological evidence of Ife virus infection was observed in cattle, sheep, goats and camels in both ecological zones of Sokoto and Kaduna States of Nigeria. The antibody prevalence rates differed between species and between zones, being highest in the guinea savanna. This is the first report of possible Ife virus infection in domestic ruminants.     

Detection of group a rotavirus strains circulating in calves in Tunisia

Faecal samples were collected from 89 dairy calves to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection in Tunisia and the genomic diversity of bovine rotavirus strains. After screening of all faecal samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, rotavirus strains were analysed by RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and characterized antigenically by monoclonal antibodies to the VP6 subgroup. The VP7 genotype was determined by nested RT-PCR. Of the 89 calves tested, 27 (30%) were positive for rotavirus antigen. Four different long electrophoretypes were identified. All VP6 typeable strains carried the subgroup I specificity. G8 genotype was the most prevalent, but G6 and mixed strains G(6 + 8) were also detected.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Systematic review of the prevalence of paratuberculosis in cattle,sheep, and goats in Latin America and the Caribbean

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis causes paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease (JD) in domestic ruminants and wild species. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the prevalence of paratuberculosis among farmed animals (cattle, sheep, and goats) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The initial search for existing publications reporting systematic reviews and primary studies was carried out by searching the available databases. For the final selection of studies, an initial screen for basic eligibility and a detailed appraisal of quality were performed. After study selection, the relevant data were extracted. The detailed appraisal generated 24 publications that reported 52 studies, of which 73.1, 11.5, and 15.4 % were from cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Thirty-three (63.5 %) of the studies were animal level studies, while 19 (36.5 %) were herd-/flock-level studies. No flock-level studies on prevalence in sheep were found. Studies in Latin American and Caribbean countries revealed an overall prevalence of 16.9 (95 % CI (confidence interval) 13.2–20.5) and 75.8 % (95 % CI 50.1–101.5) in cattle at the animal and herd levels, respectively; the prevalence was 16 % (95 % CI 7.9–24.1) in sheep at the animal level and 4.3 % (95 % CI 1.9–6.8) and 3.7 % (95 % CI 0.1–7.4) in goats at the animal and flock levels, respectively. In general, prevalence results reported by the studies were insufficient to accurately determine the prevalence of paratuberculosis in farmed animals in Latin America and the Caribbean. Several flaws in the design of studies limit the quality of evidence regarding the prevalence of paratuberculosis in the region.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in herds under extensive production system in southwestern Nigeria

Using a cross-sectional survey, we determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis in herds under extensive production system in southwestern Nigeria. Antibodies to Brucella species in serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA); for milk, the milk ring test (MRT) and indirect-ELISA (i-ELISA) were used. Questionnaire was administered to cattle herdsmen to determine factors predisposing the animals to bovine brucellosis. Data were analyzed using STATA 12. From 513 serum and 635 milk samples tested among 120 herds, overall animal-level prevalence of 10.1% (95% CI 7.5–12.7%) and 20.2% (95% CI 17.1–23.3%) were recorded by RBT and MRT, respectively; while 9.4% (95% CI 6.9–11.9%) and 17.8% (95% CI 14.8–20.8%) were obtained using cELISA and i-ELISA, respectively. In all, from the 120 herds tested, 29.2% and 43.3% were positive by RBT and MRT, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that herd location (OR?=?8.12, 95% CI 1.68–38.90) and improper disposal of placenta/fetus (OR?=?17.33, 95% CI 4.81–62.33) were predictors for a seropositive herd using RBT; while herd location (OR?=?5.13, 95% CI 1.27–20.28), large herd size (OR?=?2.62, 95% CI 1.15–5.85), and occurrence of abortion for a year or more (OR?=?4.62, 95% CI 1.53–13.71) were predictors of seropositivity to antibodies to Brucella spp. using MRT. We found high prevalence of brucellosis in cattle herds under extensive management system in southwestern Nigeria. Urgent and coordinated control strategies are required to mitigate this problem.

     

Diversity and zoonotic potential of rotaviruses in swine and cattle across Europe

Group A rotaviruses can infect both humans and animals. Individual rotavirus strains can occasionally cross species barriers and might hereby contribute to the emergence of new genotypes in heterologous hosts. The incidence and impact of zoonotic rotavirus are not well defined, and one reason for this is a lack of data about strains circulating in suspected reservoir animal hosts. In this study we report the incidence, genetic diversity, and molecular epidemiology of rotaviruses detected in domestic cattle and swine in 6 European countries. From 2003 to 2007, 1101 and more than 2000 faecal specimens were collected from swine and cattle, both healthy and diarrhoeic, and tested for rotaviruses. Viruses from positive stools were genotyped and a subset of strains was characterized by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) genes. Rotaviruses were detected in 43% of bovine samples and in 14% of porcine samples. In cattle, 10 different combinations of G and P types were identified and the most common strains were G6P[11] and G6P[5]. In swine, the number of identified G-P combinations was higher (n=21), however, no single combination was predominant across Europe. Newly described genotype specificities, P[27] and P[32], were identified in swine. When compared at the nucleotide sequence level, the identified porcine rotavirus strains and contemporary human strains grouped together phylogenetically, whereas bovine rotavirus strains formed separate clades. These data demonstrate large genetic diversity of porcine and bovine rotavirus strains across Europe, and suggest that livestock herds may serve as potential reservoirs for human infections.     

Seroprevalence of malignant catarrhal fever-related gammaherpesviruses in domestic ruminants in Turkey

The prevalence of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus infection in cattle, sheep and goat populations and also the prevalence of recovered and chronic MCF cases in north-western Turkey are reported. A total of 600 animals, 200 individuals of each species, located in four provinces were sampled between December 2003 and July 2005. A monoclonal antibody-based competitive inhibition (ci) ELISA were used to detect infection status of the animals. Detected antibody prevalence was 97.5%, 96.0% and 15.0% in sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. These results showed that MCF related gammaherpesvirus infections are common in north-western Turkey. There was no significant difference between prevalences detected in sheep and goats, as well as various breeds of these species. There was also no significant difference among locations. Results of this study show that sheep and goats may equally be important in the epidemiology of MCF in Turkey. Seropositivity against MCF agents among cattle was 15.0%. The results indicate that MCF infections may be maintained in intensively managed cattle herds having no close contact with small ruminants.     

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Jigawa State,northwestern Nigeria

We determined the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Jigawa State, northwestern Nigeria using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test in 22 herds consisting of 922 cattle with overall and individual prevalence of 1.08% (10/922) and 45.45% (10/22) obtained, respectively.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in wild and domestic ruminants sharing pastures in Galicia (Northwest Spain)

The prevalence of antibodies to the protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were investigated by the direct agglutination test (DAT) and cELISA, respectively, in 160 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 177 sheep and 178 cattle sharing pastures in Galicia (Northwest Spain). The seroprevalence for T. gondii was 13.7% in roe deer, 57% in sheep and 7.3% in cattle. The seroprevalence for N. canimum was 6.8%, 10.1% and 24.1% in roe deer, sheep and cattle, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between sheep and the other species for T. gondii and between cattle and the other ruminants for N. caninum. Only 19/515 animals were positive for both, T. gondii and N. caninum. Statistically significant differences were observed among different geographical areas for T. gondii but not for Neospora, seroprevalence being higher in the coastal area lower than in other areas. This study reveals a widespread exposure to T. gondii in Galician ruminants, and therefore, those species, particularly sheep, should be regarded as a potential source of infection for humans.     

A survey of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle of southeastern Nigeria

This paper presents the results of a survey of 1021 cattle in the southeastern area of Nigeria during August–October 1990 (wet season) and January–March 1991 (dry season) to study the effects of season, ecological zone, management system, breed and age on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP).

Strongyles (mainly Haemonchus spp.) were the commonest GIP (prevalence 47.8%; 95% CI; 44.8–51%; mean eggs per gram (epg) 387 ± SE 21.3) followed by coccidia (3.6%; 95% CI, 2.6–5%; mean oocysts per gram (opg) 2077 ± 778.4). The prevalence of other parasites encountered was comparatively very low. More infections were present in the wet than in the dry season (P<0.01). Whereas a higher prevalence (P<0.01) of strongyle infection was recorded in nomadic herds, that of coccidia was higher in sedentary herds. The prevalence of strongyle infection was lower in young animals (P<0.05), but they had higher epg (P<0.01) and also higher coccidia prevalences (P<0.01) than adults. Friesian and N'dama breeds under improved management in modern farms had lower strongyle and higher coccidia infections compared with zebu and muturu kept under the traditional management system The distribution of infection by ecological zone did not show any consistent trend, and this was attributed to the uneven distribution of the cattle breeds amongst the different zones.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Dermatophilus congolensis in sheep and goats in Nigeria

A serological survey on dermatophilosis was carried out amongst sheep and goats in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Sera were obtained from slaughter animals and from sheep kept on an isolated ranch. The percentage of seropositive animals was 28.0 in slaughter sheep, 0.0 in sheep kept on the ranch, and 23.2 in slaughter goats. The high prevalence of D. congolensis antibodies among small ruminants compares well with the level of prevalence reported of cattle of cattle and calls for a concerted government effort for the control of the disease.     

Paratuberculosis in farmed and free-living wild ruminants in the Czech Republic (1999-2001)

Due to the occurrence of the infection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis among domestic ruminants and the rapid development of farmed deer industry and the market of cloven-hoofed game we have carried surveys of paratuberculosis, beginning in 1997, in the most common four species of wild ruminants in the Czech Republic [Pavlik et al., Vet. Microbiol. 77 (2000) 231-251]. From 1999 the prevalence of paratuberculosis has been slightly reduced in all three types of husbandry of wild ruminants. Nevertheless paratuberculosis has been diagnosed in wild ruminants in three districts, in four game parks and in five farms. M. a. paratuberculosis was isolated from 128 (5.3%) out of 2,403 wild ruminants of four animal species: 106 red deer, 2 roe deer, 4 fallow deer and 16 mouflons. In red deer farms, the highest number of clinical paratuberculosis cases was in yearling deer. RFLP type B-C1 of M. a. paratuberculosis predominated during the second period (1999-2001) in all types of husbandry with no relationship to wild ruminant species. New "cattle" RFLP types B-C5 and B-C16 of M. a. paratuberculosis were described in infected farmed red deer and one "intermediate" RFLP type R-I4 in fallow deer from one game park. The survival of M. a. paratuberculosis was found to be 4 months during winter in the pasture after destocking of all cattle infected with paratuberculosis. We found that non-vertebrates, wild ruminants or non-ruminant wildlife can be vectors and potentially become a risk factor in the spread of M. a. paratuberculosis infection.     

Detection and Genetic Evolution of Diarrhea-related Viruses in Chongqing Beef Cattle

In order to investigate the pathogen prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea in Chongqing, this study carried out an investigation of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine coronavirus (BCV), bovine rotavirus (BRV) and bovine astrovirus (BAstV) on a total of 81 diarrhea samples of beef cattle which were collected from Chongqing by RT-PCR. After the PCR products were sequenced, phylogenetic analysis was performed with Mega 6.0 software. From 81 samples, the positive rate of BRV,BAstV and BVDV were 66.7%,8.6% and 7.4%, respectively,BCV was not detected.Phylogenetic analysis showed that 5 strains of BRV sequences were clustered into a small branch, which had significant genetic distance with other VP6 sequences in GenBank; 5 strains of BVDV, Chinese and Denmark strains were clustered into one branch,genetic relationship were close; 5 strains of BAstV clustered into a branch with Hongkong strain, but there was still an obvious genetic distance. The result showed that calves under the age of half year were the main group of beef cattle with diarrhea in Chongqing. BRV was an important cause of diarrhea in Chongqing, the genetic diversity of BRV,BAstV and BVDV could be reference to further concern.     

黑龙江省大庆市部分地区牛轮状病毒腹泻的分子流行病学调查

为了对黑龙江省大庆市部分地区犊牛轮状病毒腹泻的流行情况进行调查,应用RT-PCR技术对随机采取的6份犊牛腹泻粪便样品的轮状病毒VP7基因进行扩增,采用多重半套式PCR方法对VP7基因阳性样本进行分型鉴定。结果显示,6份犊牛腹泻粪便样品中牛轮状病毒VP7基因均为阳性;VP7基因阳性样本经RT-PCR分型鉴定,均属于G10型。该研究结果表明大庆地区引起犊牛轮状病毒腹泻的轮状病毒主要为G型,因此需要针对G型轮状病毒加以防控。     

Prevalence and first genetic identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle in central Viet Nam

We investigated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in relation to age and clinical status in cattle in the central region of Viet Nam. A total of 266 fecal samples from diarrheic and non-diarrheic cattle were examined by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum type infections, those of the Cryptosporidium andersoni type, and mixed infection of both types was 33.5% (89/266), 5.6% (15/266), and 3.4% (9/266), respectively. The infection rate of 44.3% (35/79) of C. parvum in calves less than 6 months old was significantly higher than that of 28.9% (54/187) in cattle greater than 6 months old (P < 0.01). Although no C. andersoni oocysts were detected in calves less than 3 months old, no significant difference was observed between the age groups in the prevalence of C. andersoni infection and mixed infection. The percentage of diarrheic and non-diarrheic cattle identified to be shedding C. parvum oocysts was 46.5% (74/159) and 14.0% (15/107), respectively (P < 0.0001). The risk of diarrhea was 1.7 times greater in C. parvum-infected calves than in their non-infected counterparts. DNA sequences of 18S rRNA genes of C. parvum type and C. andersoni type indicated that they were C. parvum bovine genotype and C. andersoni, respectively. This is the first genetic identification of C. parvum bovine genotype and C. andersoni from cattle in Viet Nam.