An investigation of enzootic Glasser's disease in a specific-pathogen-free grower-finisher facility using restriction endonuclease analysis

Enzootic Glassers's disease was investigated to study the epidemiology of the disease strains on a farm where it presented a problem. Restriction endonuclease fingerprinting (REF) analysis technique was used, as all strains of Haemophilus parasuis are biochemically similar and many strains are biochemically untypable. After young weaned pigs were moved from farm A to farm B, Glasser's disease routinely occurred despite the use of antibiotics and a commercial bacterin. Isolates were taken from the nasal passages and from carcasses of clinically affected cases and subjected to REF analysis. Haemophilus parasuis was not isolated from any of the pigs on farm A, but it was isolated from 7/10 and 5/10 nasal swabs taken from farm B. Two H. parasuis strains isolated from clinical cases of Glasser's disease from farm B had an identical REF pattern, but were different from the nasal swabs and the H. parasuis strain contained in the bacterin. The subsequent use of a custom autogenous bacterin made from a clinical isolate of H. parasuis reduced the mortality rate on farm B. This investigation indicates that nasal isolates of H. parasuis are different than those causing clinical disease, and not all bacterin strains are cross protective for other strains.     

A Serological Survey of Leptospira interrogans serotype pomona in Alberta and Saskatchewan Striped Skunks and Possible Transmission Between Cattle and Skunks

The range of known occurrence of Leptospira interrogans serotype pomona is extended to Alberta in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis); no evidence of L. sejroe was found. Reacting sera from skunks were confined to the southern portion of Alberta and adjacent Saskatchewan, although a number of reactors were found sufficiently further north in Saskatchewan suggesting that a different mode of infection may be functioning there. Of 95 skunk sera from near a dairy farm infected with serotype pomona 40% were reactors. Of 438 skunk sera from other areas only 5.7% were reactors; that difference was suggestive of transmission from cattle to skunks on the dairy farm. Of 22 skunk sera collected near the dairy farm in summer none were reactors, whereas 52% of skunk sera taken the previous and following winters were. That seasonal difference was not evident among sera from other locations.     

Genetic diversity of livestock-associated MRSA isolates obtained from piglets from farrowing until slaughter age on four farrow-to-finish farms

During a previous longitudinal study, performed on four farrow-to-finish farms (A to D), samples were taken from twelve sows, their offspring, and the environment on various occasions over six months to study the MRSA presence. During the present study, a selection of the obtained MRSA isolates were typed by multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA), Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), spa typing, and SCCmec typing to study the genetic diversity of LA-MRSA isolates and to determine possible MRSA sources for pig(let)s. PFGE, spa typing, and SCCmec typing revealed the presence of one or few dominant genotype(s) per farm. In contrast, 212 MLVA types were detected on the four farms, forming one cluster on farm A, three on farm B, four on farm C and two on farm D. The genotype, found on farm A was unique for this farm. Farms B, C and D shared one cluster. In general, MLVA types from these clusters were isolated from piglets, sows, and the environment on various sampling events. Piglets carried MLVA types both related and unrelated to their mother sows’ MLVA types at farrowing and onwards. In conclusion, molecular typing revealed that within a farm one or a few dominant strain(s) are widespread. Potential MRSA sources for piglets were mother sows, the environment and other piglets.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-014-0089-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Brucella abortus infection in indigenous Korean dogs

Three dogs reared on a dairy farm with a high incidence for Brucella abortus were serologically positive for B. abortus and no other Brucella spp. The identity of the organism was confirmed to be B. abortus by AMOS (abortus melitensis ovis suis)-polymerase chain reaction with specific primers for B. canis. One hundred percent homology of the canine isolate and the bovine pathogen isolated from the farm was demonstrated. The only possible source of infection was infected cattle on the same farm. It is suggested that dogs be routinely included in brucellosis surveillance and eradication programs.     

Resistance patterns and detection of aac(3)-IV gene in apramycin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from farm animals and farm workers in northeastern of China

The aminoglycoside apramycin has been used widely in animal production in China since 1999. This study was aimed to investigate the resistance pattern of apramycin-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from farm animals and farm workers in northeastern of China during 2004–2007 and to determine whether resistance to apramycin was mediated by plasmid containing the aac(3)-IV gene and the mode for the transfer of genetic information between bacteria of farm animals and farm workers. Thirty six E. coli isolates of swine, chicken, and human origins, chosen randomly from 318 apramycin-resistant E. coli isolates of six farms in northeastern of China during 2004–2007, were multi-resistant and carried the aac(3)-IV gene encoding resistance to apramycin. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that in all 36 cases, the gene encoding resistance to apramycin was borne on a mobilisable plasmid. Homology analysis of the cloned aac(3)-IV gene with the sequence (accession no. X01385) in GenBank showed 99.3% identity at a nucleotide level, but only with a deletion of guanosine in position 813 of the gene in all 36 cases. The results indicted that resistance to apramycin in these isolates was closely related to aac(3)-IV gene. Therefore, the multi-resistance of E. coli could complicate therapeutic practices for enteric infections in both farm animals and human.     

Comparing Dung Beetle Species Assemblages Between Protected Areas and Adjacent Pasturelands in a Mediterranean Savanna Landscape

Dung beetles are considered keystone species because of their role in decomposition, seed dispersal, and control of vertebrate parasites in grazed habitats. Despite the ecological importance of this group to pasture ecosystem functioning, still little is known about its relationship with grazing management activities. We evaluated the conservation value of protected areas for dung beetle diversity by comparing two different management conditions of Mediterranean savanna in central Spain. Four different sites with wild herbivory (red deer, roe deer) were sampled inside the Cabañeros National Park, and four sites with traditional agrosilvopastoral management were sampled in a sheep farm near the park. The dung beetle species richness was similar between savanna conditions, but the total dung beetle abundance and biomass were considerably greater in the park grasslands than in the grasslands of the sheep farm. Dung beetle species composition, species dominance, and abundance by functional groups from both park and farm sites were different, despite the high similarity among the sampled sites in both hydric content and dung availability. Onthophagus maki (Illiger 1803) and O. furcatus (Fabricius 1781) were the dominant species in the park, while O. furcatus, Aphodius foetidus (Herbst 1783), and Caccobius schreberi L. were the dominant species on the farm. Species richness and abundance of telecoprids were higher in the park than on the farm. Abundance of paracoprids was also higher in the park than on the farm, while no differences in species richness and abundance of endocoprids were observed between both conditions. These results suggest that management activities such as plowing and the use of veterinary substances affect soil structure and dung quality and could be important factors that alter dung beetle assemblages in terms of composition, abundance, and biomass on traditional farms.     

Population attributable fractions of farm vector tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) presence on Theileria parva infection seroprevalence under endemic instability

The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus tick presence (exposure variable) on Theileria parva infection seroprevalence (outcome variable) in a group of cattle belonging to a farm using population attributable fractions (PAF). The analyses were based on a representative sample of 80 traditional smallholder mixed farms. The farms were selected by first stratifying the population administratively and implementing a multistage random sampling in Mbeere district in Kenya. The PAFs were estimated using the stratified, Bruzzi, and sequential partitioned PAF approaches. A secondary objective was, thus, to evaluate the impact of the approaches on the PAF estimates. The stratified and Bruzzi approaches estimated proportion of T. parva infection cases directly attributable to the exposure after controlling for confounding by agro-ecological zone (AEZ). The sequential partitioned PAF approach estimated a PAF associated with exposure after adjusting for any effect that the AEZ may have had by influencing the prevalence of the exposure. All analyses were carried out at the farm level where a farm was classified as infested if the tick was found on cattle on a farm, and infected if at least one animal on a farm was positive for T. parva antibodies. Variance estimation for PAFs was implemented using ‘delete-a-group’ jackknife re-sampling method. The stratified PAF (26.7% [95% CI: 9.0%, 44.4%]) and Bruzzi PAF (26.4% [95% CI: 9.6%, 43.2%]) were consistent in estimating a relatively low impact of farm vector tick presence with a relatively high level of uncertainty. The partitioned PAF (15.5% [95% CI: 1.5%, 29.6%]) suggested that part of the impacts estimated using the stratified PAF and Bruzzi approaches was driven by AEZ effects. Overall, the results suggested that under endemic instability in Mbeere district, (1) presence of R. appendiculatus was not a good indicator of T. parva infection occurrence on a farm; (2) ecological variation could play a role in determining infection impacts. This study provides a preliminary basis for evaluating the potential value and utility of estimating PAFs for variables amenable to control in tick-borne diseases (TBDs) epidemiological studies.     

Determination and correlation of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs and cattle from Mexico

The aim of the present study was to determine and to compare through an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in city and farm dogs, as well as in farm cows, and the relationship among them. The correlation between anti-N. caninum antibodies in farm dogs and cattle was also assessed. The research was conducted in the dairy region of Tizayuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. The frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies was significantly higher in farm dogs (n = 14) (51%) when compared to those from the city (n = 6) (20%) (P < 0.05), suggesting that farm dogs have a higher risk of exposure to the parasite. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between males (n = 11) (39%) and females (n = 9) (33%) (P > 0.05). The frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies in farm cattle was significantly higher in farms with dogs (n = 158) (58%) when compared to those with no dogs (n = 43) (35%) (P < 0.05). These results suggest the possible transmission of the parasite from dogs to cattle.     

Dynamic of nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 and ST1 after mupirocin treatment in a family in close contact with pigs

Nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was evaluated after a mupirocin treatment in a family previously colonized by MRSA sequence type ST398 and ST1, who lived close to a pig farm. Eight nasal samples were swabbed from each of the four family members on different moments after mupirocin treatment. The efficacy of treatment was low in those family members who worked in the farm, and higher in the remaining two family members with sporadic contact with pigs. In addition, nasal and skin swabs from randomly selected pigs of the farm were taken. MRSA were detected in 33% of pigs tested. All MRSA isolates obtained were characterized by Staphylococcal-Cassette-Chromosome mec (SCCmec) determination, Multilocus-Sequence-Typing (MLST), spa- and agr-typing, Pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis (PFGE), antimicrobial susceptibility, detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, and toxin gene profiling. Spa-types t011, t1255 and t1197 were detected in humans and animals, with indistinguishable PFGE patterns, suggesting animal to human MRSA transmission. Each spa-type was ascribed to a specific pulsotype. Spa-types t127 and t108 were only detected in MRSA isolates obtained from humans, and t012 only in those from animals. MRSA ST1-t127 isolates and some ST398-t011 and ST398-t1197 isolates presented a multiantimicrobial-resistance phenotype. None of them harbored lukF/lukS, tst, eta and etb virulence genes. This study showed that the efficacy of nasal MRSA decolonization in healthy people with very close contact with pigs is especially low.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from symbovine flies, cattle and sympatric insectivorous house martins from a farm in the Czech Republic (2006-2007)

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli was tested in symbovine flies and sympatric house martins (Delichon urbica) at a dairy farm. Antimicrobial resistant E. coli was detected in 89% (n = 147) of isolates from flies within a calf barn. Isolates with the same antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, genes, and pulsotypes were found between both fly and calf E. coli isolates, suggesting that the calves were the initial source of the antimicrobial resistant strains in fly isolates. Symbovine flies were considered as important reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant E. coli strains at a dairy farm, due to their intensive contact with cattle feces and manure. House martin fecal samples from the same farm contained 4.5% (n = 393) of antimicrobial resistant E. coli. House martin isolates displayed different macrorestriction profiles than fly isolates and the significance of house martins as a reservoir and vector of antimicrobial resistant E. coli appears low.     

Clinical observations on an outbreak of strangles

An outbreak of strangles, which occurred during the spring, summer and fall of 1980 on a Standardbred stud farm in eastern Alberta is described. The infective organism, Streptococcus equi, may have been introduced by an outside mare that was brought to the stud for breeding. All of the groups of horses on the farm were affected. For the most part, the disease was allowed to run its natural course. Only severely affected individuals were treated. During the outbreak, the foals were prophylactically treated with penicillin to prevent them from contracting the disease. Ten horses died of complications of strangles infection.     

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in blood of ewes on farms in different scrapie categories in Iceland

Background

Preliminary studies indicated decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in blood of ewes on scrapie-afflicted farms. Other studies have shown decreased GPX activity in brain of prion-infected mice and in prion-infected cells in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine the GPX activity in blood as well as the distribution of GPX-activity levels from ewes on farms in scrapie-afflicted areas in Iceland.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 635 ewes (non-pregnant [n = 297] and pregnant [n = 338]) on 40 farms in scrapie-afflicted areas during the years 2001–2005, for analysis of GPX activity. The farms were divided into three categories: 1. Scrapie-free farms (n = 14); 2. Scrapie-prone farms (earlier scrapie-afflicted, restocked farms) (n = 12); 3. Scrapie-afflicted farms (n = 14). For comparison, 121 blood samples were also collected from non-pregnant ewes on one farm (farm A) in a scrapie-free area (scrapie never registered). Chi-square test was used to test for normal distribution of GPX-results, and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare GPX-results between categories.

Results

The GPX-results appeared to be biphasically distributed in ewes in all three scrapie categories and on farm A. The presumptive breaking point was about 300 units g Hb^-1. About 30–50% of the GPX-results from ewes in all three scrapie categories were below 300 units g Hb^-1 but only about 13% of the GPX-results from ewes on farm A. The mean GPX activity was highest on farm A, and was significantly lower on scrapie-prone farms than on scrapie-free or scrapie-afflicted farms (non-pregnant and pregnant ewes: P < 0.005, respectively; non-pregnant and pregnant ewes combined: P < 0.0005).

Conclusions

1) the distribution of GPX-results in blood of Icelandic ewes apparently has a biphasic character; 2) the GPX-results were higher in ewes on one farm in a scrapie-free area than in ewes on farms in the scrapie-afflicted areas; 3) GPX-activity levels were significantly lowest on earlier scrapie-afflicted, restocked farms, which might have a bearing on the recurrence of sporadic scrapie on these farms; 4) further study on the possible role of GPX activity in the occurrence of scrapie in Iceland is warranted.     

Development of a multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay to detect shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in cattle

A multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (mLAMP) assay was developed for simultaneous detection of the stx1 and stx2 genes and applied for detection of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in cattle farm samples. Two target genes were distinguished based on T_m values of 85.03 ± 0.54℃ for stx1 and 87.47 ± 0.35℃ for stx2. The mLAMP assay was specific (100% inclusivity and exclusivity), sensitive (with a detection limit as low as 10 fg/µL), and quantifiable (R² = 0.9313). The efficacy and sensitivity were measured to evaluate applicability of the mLAMP assay to cattle farm samples. A total of 12 (12/253; 4.7%) and 17 (17/253; 6.7%) STEC O157, and 11 (11/236; 4.7%) non-O157 STEC strains were isolated from cattle farm samples by conventional selective culture, immunomagnetic separation, and PCR-based culture methods, respectively. The coinciding multiplex PCR and mLAMP results for the types of shiga toxin revealed the value of the mLAMP assay in terms of accuracy and rapidity for characterizing shiga toxin genes. Furthermore, the high detection rate of specific genes from enrichment broth samples indicates the potential utility of this assay as a screening method for detecting STEC in cattle farm samples.     

Ecological studies of Yersinia enterocolitica I. Dissemination of Y. enterocolitica in pigs

Pigs were examined on five farms for carrier status of Yersinia enterocolitica. Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 4, serovar 3, phagovar VIII was isolated consistently from the feces of fattening pigs on one farm and sporadically from those of similar pigs on the other farms and of sows on all five farms, during a one-year period of weekly surveys. Seasonal variation was not a feature of fattening pigs on a highly contaminated farm. In other pigs, however, the organisms were not isolated during the summer months. On a highly contaminated farm, the organisms were excreted in the feces of 8 to 15-week-old pigs within 1–3 weeks of entering pens which were thought to be contaminated with the organisms. On a detailed observation of natural infection of Y. enterocolitica in eight pigs, the organism appeared in the pigs' feces within 2–7 weeks of them being moved to a pen which had been washed thoroughly after becoming contaminated, by a previous group of pigs, with feces containing 10⁵ viable organisms per g. Thus, Y. enterocolitica is apparently transmitted from infected feces or picked up from the floor of a contaminated pen, and the regular schedule of pig movement among the pens is an important factor in the spread of Y. enterocolitica within a piggery. Intestinal colonization continues for a long time and does not occur by re-infection. The organisms were not isolated from eight pigs at the time of slaughter, and their serum O-agglutinin titers were $\text{1}\text{40}$ or less. Thus, circulating antibody may not inhibit intestinal colonization by Y. enterocolitica.     

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Dermatophytosis in Arabian Horses in Egypt

The objective of the present study was to verify the prevalence and the risk factors associated with dermatophytosis in Arabian horses. For this purpose, a total of 457 Arabian horses in 15 farms were examined. A questionnaire was constructed to include the hypothesized risk factors. Fungal isolation and identification for each horse were carried out by standard microbiological procedures. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors on both animal and farm levels. Trichophyton spp. was recovered from 50 horses and Microsporum spp. from 27 cases. Trichophyton equinum was more prevalent than Trichophyton mentagrophytes (45 vs. 4) and Trichophyton tonsurans (45 vs. 1). However, Microsporum canis was more prevalent than Microsporum gypseum (21 vs. 5) and Microsporum audouinii (21 vs. 1). On horse level, final multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was a significant association between dermatophytosis and horse' age (P < .05; odds ratio [OR]: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–2.69), poor grooming practice (P < .05; OR: 57.11; 95% CI: 2.47–13.44), moist condition (P < .05; OR: 42.77; 95% CI: 2.0–25.18), and farm size (P < .05; OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00–7.05). However, on the farm level, farm size of >30 horses was the risk factor (P < .05; OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 1–3.03). In conclusion, the present results indicate existance of dermatophytosis in Arabian horses. Identification of the potential risk factors associated with the disease may be helpful to construct the ideal preventive measures.     

Occurrence of Trypanosoma evansi in Horses in the State of Minas Gerais,Brazil

Ttrypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi is a condition that causes significant losses to farmers in endemic areas. This study aimed to report one case of trypanosomiasis in the municipality of Itabira, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In November 2010, on a farm with 16 horses, three horses had clinical signs of anemia, limb edema, weight loss, lameness, muscle atrophy, and incoordination of the hind limbs. Trypanosomosis was suspected, and the animals with clinical signs were treated with two doses of diminazene aceturate (7 mg/kg, intramuscular) every 7 days; the treated animals recovered from the clinical symptoms. Blood samples were collected from six horses on the farm, including the three treated animals, to perform polymerase chain reaction specific for T evansi. Four samples were polymerase chain reaction negative, including those collected from three treated horses. However, two other asymptomatic horses were positive for the parasite based on the molecular testing. Based on the results, we concluded that the initial clinical suspect of trypanosomosis was correct, and the treatment used was effective. Probably the disease was introduced to Minas Gerais State through a stallion, which acquired the infection in an endemic area in southern Brazil.     

Occurrence and characterization of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig industries of northern Thailand

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in pigs, farm workers, and the environment in northern Thailand, and to assess LA-MRSA isolate phenotypic characteristics. One hundred and four pig farms were randomly selected from the 21,152 in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces in 2012. Nasal and skin swab samples were collected from pigs and farm workers. Environmental swabs (pig stable floor, faucet, and feeder) were also collected. MRSA was identified by conventional bacterial culture technique, with results confirmed by multiplex PCR and multi locus sequence typing (MLST). Herd prevalence of MRSA was 9.61% (10 of 104 farms). Among pigs, workers, and farm environments, prevalence was 0.68% (two of 292 samples), 2.53% (seven of 276 samples), and 1.28% (four of 312 samples), respectively. Thirteen MRSA isolates (seven from workers, four from environmental samples, and two from pigs) were identified as Staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec IV sequences type 9. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests found 100% of the MRSA isolates resistant to clindamycin, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline, while 100% were susceptible to cloxacillin and vancomycin. All possessed a multidrug-resistant phenotype. This is the first evidence of an LA-MRSA interrelationship among pigs, workers, and the farm environment in Thailand.     

Prevalence,quantitative load and genetic diversity of Campylobacter spp. in dairy cattle herds in Lithuania

Background

Campylobacteriosis is a zoonotic disease, and animals such as poultry, pigs and cattle may act as reservoirs for Campylobacter spp. Cattle shed Campylobacter spp. into the environment and they can act as a reservoir for human infection directly via contact with cattle or their faeces or indirectly by consumption of contaminated food. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, the quantitative load and the genetic strain diversity of Campylobacter spp. in dairy cattle of different age groups.

Results

Faecal samples of 200 dairy cattle from three farms in the central part of Lithuania were collected and examined for Campylobacter. Cattle herds of all three farms were Campylobacter spp. positive, with a prevalence ranging from 75% (farm I), 77.5% (farm II) to 83.3% (farm III). Overall, the highest prevalence was detected in calves (86.5%) and heifers (86.2%). In contrast, the lowest Campylobacter prevalence was detectable in dairy cows (60.6%). C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. fetus subsp. fetus were identified in faecal samples of dairy cattle. C. upsaliensis was not detectable in any sample. The high counts of Campylobacter spp. were observed in faecal material of dairy cattle (average 4.5 log₁₀ cfu/g). The highest numbers of Campylobacter spp. were found in faecal samples from calves (average 5.3 log₁₀ cfu/g), whereas, faecal samples from cows harboured the lowest number of Campylobacter spp. (average 3.7 log₁₀ cfu/g). Genotyping by flaA PCR-RFLP analysis of selected C. jejuni isolates showed that some genotypes were present in all farms and all age groups. However, farm or age specific genotypes were also identified.

Conclusions

Future studies are needed to investigate risk factors related to the degree of colonisation in cattle. Based on that, possible measures to reduce the colonisation and subsequent shedding of Campylobacter in cattle could be established. It is important to further investigate the epidemiology of Campylobacter in the cattle population in order to assess associated risks to public health.     

Seasonal patterns of gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats on two Lithuanian farms

Background

This study investigated seasonal changes in naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections on two Lithuanian goat farms with different parasite control practices.

Findings

On both farms, nematode faecal egg counts (FEC) and larval cultures were obtained from 15 adult and 10 young goats at bi-weekly intervals from April 2012 to April 2013. Goats on farm A were dewormed with ivermectin (0.3 mg/kg body weight) in October/November 2012, whereas the animals on farm B were left untreated. Thirteen young goats were slaughtered in August/November 2012 and April 2013 and worm burdens in the gastrointestinal tract were enumerated. In goats from both farms, Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Chabertia and Haemonchus were the dominant GIN genera. Herbage contamination with infective third-stage larvae (L₃) peaked in July/August and resulted in high FEC in September/October. Parasitological examination at slaughter showed that Teladorsagia spp. and Haemonchus contortus survived the winter, both in the abomasal mucosa as adults and as early fourth-stage larvae (EL₄). Deworming on farm A significantly reduced FEC, especially of H. contortus, at the start of the grazing period compared with the untreated farm B (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Goats were heavily infected with several GIN throughout the year. Strategic anthelmintic treatment during housing significantly reduced nematode egg output, in particular by H. contortus, at the start of the grazing season.     

Herd and individual animal prevalence of bovine brucellosis with associated risk factors on dairy farms in Haryana and Punjab in India

Herd and individual animal prevalence along with associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis was assessed on dairy farms located in 22 districts in Haryana and Punjab of India. Examination of 4,580 female animals of 119 dairy farms by Rose Bengal test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that an overall herd prevalence was 65.54 % (78/119) and individual animal prevalence was 26.50 % (1,214/4,580). Herd prevalence in Haryana was 62.79 % which was not significantly different (P?=?0.4208) from Punjab (72.72 %). Individual animal prevalence was 34.15 % in Punjab which was significantly higher (P?<?0.0001) than Haryana (22.34 %). Prevalence of brucellosis on dairy farms was detected in 20 of the 22 districts, of which 12 districts were in Haryana and 8 in Punjab. Risk factors such as species of animals, age of animals, herd size, awareness of dairymen for brucellosis, entry of a purchased animals on the farm, abortion on farm, use of calving pens, type of breeding, and type of farming were analyzed. The study indicated that the odds ratio (OR) was significant with risk factors of species (OR?=?1.63; 95 %CI?=?1.40–1.90; P?<?0.0001), age (OR?=?0.22; 95 %CI?=?0.17–0.29; P?<?0.0001), awareness of brucellosis among dairymen (OR?=?21.65; 95 %CI?=?2.63–178.04; P?=?0.0042), entry of purchased animal on the farm (OR?=?9.16; 95 %CI?=?2.38–35.18; P?=?0.0012), abortion in animals (OR?=?5.57; 95 %CI?=?1.92–16.10; P?=?0.0015) and on cow farm (OR?=?3.43; 95 %CI?=?1.33–8.82; P?=?0.0105). While the OR was insignificant (P?>?0.05) with risk factors of herd size, use of calving pen on farms, type of breeding and on buffalo and mixed type of farms.