Evidence that Cache Valley virus induces congenital malformations in sheep

An outbreak of congenital abnormalities occurred in sheep at San Angelo, Texas, between December 1986 and February 1987. Of 360 lambs born, 19.2% had arthrogryposis or other musculo-skeletal problems and hydranencephaly (AGH), and the total neonatal loss was 25.6%. In 1987, all ewes that were tested with AGH lambs had antibody to Cache Valley virus (CVV), whereas 62% of the ewes with normal lambs had CVV-specific antibody. Pre-colostral serum samples from AGH lambs had neutralizing antibody to CVV. An increase in prevalence of CVV-specific antibody, from 5% during the spring of 1986 to 63.4% during the winter of 1987, occurred during a time that included the gestation of these affected lambs, as well as a period of increased rainfall. The isolation of a CVV-related strain from a sentinel sheep in October 1987 confirmed the continued presence of this virus in the pasture where this outbreak occurred and provided a recent field strain for future studies.     

Congenital malformations in sheep resulting from in utero inoculation of Cache Valley virus

Serologic evidence indicated that an episode of congenital abnormalities in sheep was caused by Cache Valley virus (CVV), a bunyavirus indigenous to the United States. To determine the teratogenic potential of CVV in sheep, fetuses were infected in utero between 27 and 54 days of gestation with an isolate (CK-102) obtained in 1987 from a sentinel sheep in San Angelo, Texas. The dams of these fetuses were euthanatized between 28 and 75 days after inoculation, and the fetuses were examined for malformations. Twenty-eight of 34 fetuses had congenital abnormalities, including arthrogryposis, hydranencephaly, mummification, reabsorption, and oligohydroamnion. Virus was isolated from the allantoic fluid of 11 of 17 fetuses euthanatized at less than 70 days of gestation. The virus-positive fetuses, which were all negative for CVV-neutralizing antibody, had lesions ranging from none to severe arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly. Virus was not recovered from the allantoic fluid of fetuses after 76 days' gestation when CVV-specific antibody could be detected in 5 of 8 fetuses examined. The 2 fetuses infected on days 50 and 54 of gestation appeared normal and 1 had antibody to CVV.     

Effects of housing on the incidence of visna/maedi virus infection in sheep flocks

The incidence of seroconversion to visna/maedi virus (VMV) infection and its relationship with management and sheep building structure was investigated in 15 dairy sheep flocks in Spain during 3–7 years. Incidence rates were 0.09 per sheep-year at risk in semi-intensive Latxa flocks and 0.44 per sheep-year at risk in intensive Assaf flocks and was greatest for the one year old Assaf replacement flock. Separate multivariable models developed for replacement and adult flocks indicated that in both cases seroconversion was strongly associated to direct contact exposure to infected sheep and to being born to a seropositive dam. The latter effect was independent of the mode of rearing preweaning and the risk of seroconversion was similar for sheep fed colostrum and milk from a seropositive or a seronegative dam. These results are further evidence of the efficiency of horizontal VMV transmission by close contact between sheep and also suggest a inheritable component of susceptibility and resistance to infection. In contrast, indirect aerogenous contact with seropositive sheep was not associated with seroconversion as evidenced in replacement sheep housed in separate pens in the same building as adult infected sheep for one year. Consequently, VMV may not be efficiently airborne over short distances and this is important for control of infection. Moreover, there was no relationship between seroconversion and shed open areas. The latter could be related to having examined few flocks in which high infection prevalence dominated the transmission process while ventilation, may depend on a variety of unrecorded factors whose relationship to infection needs to be further investigated.     

Ovine arthrogryposis and central nervous system malformations associated with in utero Cache Valley virus infection: spontaneous disease

Gross appearance and histologic lesions seen in 15 newborn lambs in an outbreak of congenital arthrogryposis with hydrocephalus or hydranencephaly (CAH) in Texas are described. Severe arthrogryposis with skeletal muscle hypoplasia was seen in limbs of affected lambs. Spinal column deformities were also present. Multiple central nervous system (CNS) malformations were present in CAH lambs including micrencephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, micromelia, hydrocephalus, hydranencephaly, and porencephaly. Histologic lesions consisted primarily of areas of necrosis and loss of the paraventricular neuropil and motor neurons in the CNS and a resolving myositis with poorly developed myotubular myocytes in skeletal muscle. Seroepidemiologic studies on the flock and serologic data from heart blood taken from the stillborn affected lambs indicated that the outbreak was due to in utero infection with Cache Valley Virus.     

A seroepidemiological investigation of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep flocks in southern Norway

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis causes caseous lymphadenitis, a disease primarily affecting sheep and goats which occurs as a chronic infection characterized by suppurative lymphadenitis (Lovell 1959, Marsh 1965, Jubb & Kennedy 1970, Ayers 1977, Addo & Eid 1978). The disease has an insidious nature and a high prevalence, resulting in large economic losses due to condemnation of carcasses and organs at slaughter (Turner 1973).     

Persistence of granulocytic Ehrlichia infection during wintertime in two sheep flocks in Norway

Granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in sheep is common in Norway in areas with Ixodes ricinus. In this study, 2 sheep flocks that had been grazing on I. ricinus infested pastures the previous season, were blood sampled after being housed indoors for nearly 6 months during wintertime. Thirty animals from each flock were examined for granulocytic Ehrlichia infection in the peripheral blood by blood inoculation studies, stained blood smear evaluation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and serology (IFA-antibodies). The animals were sampled twice within a three-week period, the first time before and the second time after lambing. Two sheep in one flock were found Ehrlichia positive by both blood smear evaluation and PCR before lambing, and 3 sheep were found positive after lambing; 2 by blood smear examination and 3 by PCR. In the other flock, no sheep was found infected before lambing, but 2 ewes were found positive after lambing by both blood smear evaluation and PCR. In the first flock, 87% of the animals were found seropositive before lambing, and the mean antibody titre (log10 +/- SD) to E. equi was 2.45 +/- 0.401. In the second flock, 40% were found seropositive before lambing, and the mean antibody titre was 1.93 +/- 0.260. Seroprevalence and mean antibody titre in these 2 flocks were significantly different (p < 0.001). The present study indicates that sheep may be a reservoir host for granulocytic Ehrlichia infection from one grazing season to the next under natural conditions in Norway.     

Survey to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in British sheep flocks

A serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in adult breeding sheep in Great Britain was conducted using surplus sera taken during a seroprevalence study of Brucella melitensis in 2009. Of the 3539 sera collected from 227 flocks, 2619 (74 per cent) were found to be positive for T gondii specific antibody when tested using latex agglutination. Multilevel logistic modelling suggested that the likelihood of infection increased with age and this effect appeared to be amplified in animals vaccinated against T gondii. The model also indicated that the odds of sheep being seropositive were increased on premises where cattle were also kept. These results suggest a high level of Toxoplasma infection in breeding sheep in Great Britain and provide further evidence to suggest that postnatal infection is more common than congenital infection in sheep.     

Monensin toxicosis in 2 sheep flocks

Several lambs in 2 sheep flocks died suddenly and others were examined for generalized weakness and dyspnea. Postmortem findings were suggestive of degenerative myocardial and skeletal muscle myopathy, which was confirmed histologically. Feed analysis revealed toxic levels of monensin and ionophore toxicosis was diagnosed.     

Forecasting blowfly strike in Queensland sheep flocks

The occurrence of blowfly strike between 1993 and 1999, derived from the reported use of pesticides for flystrike control, was investigated in 247 sheep flocks in Queensland, Australia using autoregressive techniques. Although there was a small increase (0. 0016 per year) in flystrike incidence during the study period, this long-term linear trend was not significant (p=0.53). The occurrence of flystrike was best described by an autoregressive model that included flystrike in the previous 2 months: flystrike(t)=0.0170+0. 0392 flystrike(t-1)+0.3589 flystrike(t-2). Flystrike was associated with the southern oscillation index (SOI). The SOI is based on barometric pressure readings and is associated with periods of below- (negative SOI) and above-average (positive SOI) rainfall in northern Australia. Flystrike incidence was significantly (p=0.03) greater in months in which the SOI was positive. The strongest correlation (r=0.33) was found between flystrike incidence and the SOI 2 months previously. Using the SOI, the best-fitting autoregressive model describing flystrike was flystrike(t)=0.0238+0. 3033 flystrike(t-2)+0.0009 SOI(t-2). The incidence of flystrike was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with average monthly radiation (r=0.26), but not with average monthly maximum and minimum temperature, total rainfall, evaporation and vapour pressure. The best-fitting autoregressive model describing flystrike occurrence based on these variables was flystrike(t)=-0.0259+0.3610 flystrike(t-2)+0.0022 radiation(t). Results suggest that a useful early-warning system could be developed based on the correlation between flystrike incidence and the SOI up to 2 months previously. Such attempts to forecast flystrike may assist decision-making by wool producers with respect to flystrike control options, leading to more efficient control of blowfly strike in their industry.     

Comparison of infection rates of Oestrus ovis between sheep and goats kept in mixed flocks

Oestrosis is a nasal myiasis of sheep and goats caused by larvae of the fly Oestrus ovis and can lead to severe clinical signs, which together with the disturbance caused by the adult fly may result into serious economic losses. Infection rates and larval burdens are always higher in sheep than in goats after either natural or artificial infestation. The aim of this study was to compare the host preference of the adult fly O. ovis between sheep and goats in mixed flocks, where they are kept together under the same husbandry conditions and hence, are very similarly exposed to the fly preference. Blood sera samples were collected from a total of 397 sheep and 335 goats, from 43 mixed flocks located at different regions of Greece. Antibodies specific to O. ovis IgG were measured by ELISA. A flock was considered positive when at least one individual was positive, i.e. showed a seropositivity of >or=20% in relation to positive control sera. A total of 193 (48.6%) sheep and 58 (17.9%) goats were found to be seropositive against O. ovis. Thirty-eight (88.4%) out of 43 flocks had at least one seropositive animal. The mean seroconversion against O. ovis in animals from the different flocks was 38.6% and 13.6% for sheep and goats, respectively, whereas the variance of infection within each flock was 0-100%. The mean seropositivity between sheep that were found to be positive or negative was 60.6% and 5.4%, respectively, whereas the corresponding values between goats were 35.2% and 5.2%, respectively. No significant difference in the seroconversion values was noted between flocks from the different areas (P=0.817), whereas a very significant difference was observed between animal species (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference when seroconversion comparisons were made within samples of the same animals species, sheep or goats from different flocks of all the regions included in the study (P=0.695). The results of this study clearly demonstrate that O. ovis has a widespread distribution in Greece, and the seroprevalence is significantly higher in sheep than goats (P=0.001).     

免疫鸡群中新城疫强毒感染流行趋势

新城疫 ( ND)仍是目前我国分布最广、危害最严重的禽病之一 [1] 。 ND的临诊表现差异很大 ,从不明显感染到高度致死不等 ,其严重程度主要取决于感染病毒的毒力和鸡群的免疫状态[2 ] 。虽然国内几乎所有商业鸡群均需多次使用 ND疫苗 ,但免疫鸡群仍屡屡发生 ND。因此 ,控制和减少免疫鸡群中 ND强毒感染与传播成为我国鸡病防制工作中亟待解决的问题 [3 ]。本试验运用 ND单抗酶联免疫试剂盒作为 ND流行病学调查手段 ,对华东地区部分免疫鸡群中 ND强毒感染进行监测 ,结合测定个体 HI抗体 ,探讨免疫鸡群中 ND强毒感染流行原因和趋势 ,为制…     

A case-control study on scrapie in Norwegian sheep flocks

Scrapie first was detected in indigenous sheep in Norway in 1981, and from 1995 to 1997 an increase in the number of flocks with scrapie cases was recorded. These flocks were mainly in one geographical region. A study to identify risk factors for scrapie was conducted. The study had three frequency-matched controls selected for every case within the same Veterinary District. A questionnaire was submitted to 176 sheep flocks (42 had been scrapie flocks). The data obtained by the questionnaire were linked to data collected from governmental and industry registers. After imputing missing data using single random imputation, the statistical analysis was performed using multivariable conditional logistic regression.

Purchase of female sheep from scrapie flocks, sharing of rams, or sharing of pastures between different flocks were the risk factors associated with the occurrence of scrapie. Of factors potentially sustaining and promoting the infection in the flock, number of winter-fed sheep, number of buildings for housing sheep, rams and ewes shared room during mating period and increase in the flock size were associated with scrapie. We interpret these findings to show that factors involving transfer of sheep between flocks or direct contact between sheep of different flocks are important for the spread of scrapie. Management factors are important for the development of scrapie. However, it was not possible to discriminate between the different management factors in this study at the flock level. Also, factors indicating awareness and interest of the farmer (as well as willingness to contact a veterinarian for diseased sheep) were related to the detection of scrapie in the flock.     

Epidemiological survey of cestode-larva disease in Greek sheep flocks

The epidemiological status of hydatidosis, cysticercosis, and gid in sheep and the production practices of sheep farmers that increase the risk of exposure of sheep to infecting agents of these diseases were investigated in Thessaly, central Greece during 2002-2006. A total of 700 hoggets (sheep up to the age of 1 year) and 1500 adult sheep were examined randomly at an abattoir survey and the prevalences of hydatidosis and cysticercosis were found 39.32% and 29.41%, respectively. Hoggets had significantly lower prevalences of hydatidosis and cysticercosis compared to adult sheep (p<0.001). The distribution of parasitic cysts showed an overdispersion pattern mostly in the hogget population. The proportion of fertile hydatid cysts was significantly higher in hoggets compared to adult sheep (p<0.001). A cohort of 74 sheep flocks was observed during the same period in a prospective survey to assess the incidence of gid. A total of 57 sheep belonging to 15 flocks (20.27% of investigated flocks) developed clinical signs of gid at an annual rate of 11.40+/-4.77 (95% C.I.). In the infected flocks there were 3.80+/-0.92 (95% C.I.) gid cases per flock. The mean age of onset of clinical signs for all sheep was 11.86+/-1.33 months (95% C.I.) (range 5-22 months) while for hoggets was 8.48+/-0.73 (95% C.I.) (range 5-12 months) and for adult sheep 17.23+/-1.42 (95% C.I.) (range 13-22 months). A significant difference was observed in the prevalence of unilateral blindness between hoggets (31.42%) and adult sheep (4.54%) (p<0.05). The most common production practices identified in a questionnaire survey of sheep farmers that may increase the risk of exposure of sheep to hydatidosis, cysticercosis, and gid were the improper disposal of dead animals, the access of farm dogs to offal of slaughtered sheep, the carelessness of farmers to treat farm dogs with anthelmintics, and the grazing of flocks in fields where stray dogs have free access.     

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Ontario sheep flocks

In a random sample of 103 sheep farms in Ontario, 99% of the farms had some sheep serologically positive for Toxoplasma gondii, based on an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percent of sheep affected within farms ranged from 3.8% to 97.8%, with an average flock prevalence of 57.6%. When farm management variables were considered in a multivariate analysis, significantly lower rates of serologically positive sheep were associated with neutering of female cats and clipping of ewes' perineums before lambing; significantly higher prevalence rates were found on farms where sheep were purchased from other flocks, pigs were raised on the same farm, sheep shared pasture with other animals, flowing water was available at pasture, and pastured replacements had access to housing. As well, in univariate analyses, higher prevalence was positively associated with an increasing number of cat litters born over the previous two years and offering creep feed or forage to lambs, and inversely with the amount of labor expended on sheep rearing.     

Factors associated with productivity in Canadian sheep flocks.

A mail survey of Canadian sheep flocks registered on the Record of Performance program was conducted, and the association of management practices and diseases with productivity was studied using multiple regression techniques. The relationships between management practices and diseases of lambs which were associated with production were also investigated using discriminant analysis. Flocks in the maritimes had a lower average flock productivity than those in Ontario-Quebec and the western provinces. In purebred flocks, the average adjusted weight at 100 days of age was higher than in other types of flocks, and the prevalence of scours was lower. At the herd level, the rates of pregnancy toxemia and vaginal prolapse were associated with heavier lambs, while the average daily weight gain between 50 and 100 days of age was lower in herds affected by scours and starvation. Using pasture and bush as winter housing was also detrimental to lamb productivity. No management practices discriminated between case and control flocks for scours and starvation in lambs. It was concluded that the reasons for the geographic differences should be investigated as should the management differences between purebred and other producers. Prevention of scours and starvation in lambs should be given priority in order to increase productivity.