Polymorphism of the DQA2 gene in goats

Variation in the caprine DQA2 gene was investigated using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Eleven DQA2 alleles were defined by SSCP patterns from 23 goats. All the caprine alleles shared high sequence homology to ovine DQA2 sequences, and exhibited a pattern of polymorphism similar to DQA2 alleles from sheep and cattle but different from caprine DQA1 sequences. Thirty-eight AA positions in the alpha1 domain of caprine DQA2 molecules were polymorphic, and a high degree of polymorphism was observed in the putative antigen-binding region, with 74% of the positions being polymorphic. Phylogenetic analysis of caprine, ovine, and bovine DQA sequences revealed that the caprine DQA2 sequences identified here grouped with ovine DQA2, bovine DQA2, DQA3, and DQA4 sequences but are separate from the group of caprine DQA1 alleles. Nine of the caprine DQA2 sequences were more similar to ovine DQA2 alleles, whereas the remaining two were more closely related to ovine DQA2-like and bovine DQA3 alleles. This finding suggests that the caprine DQA2 sequences may represent two loci, which probably arose by either gene duplication or gene conversion events. Allelic lineages were evident for both DQA2 and DQA2-like loci, supporting the trans-species mode of evolution of major histocompatibilitly complex genes. The high level of polymorphism and similarity between caprine and ovine DQA2 alleles suggests that the DQA2 gene may play an important role in immune responses to shared pathogens.     

Abortion in small ruminants in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2011

During five successive lambing seasons between 2006 and 2011, 453 submissions of abortion material, 282 of ovine and 171 of caprine origin, were examined at the Animal Health Service in the Netherlands. Infectious agents as the most plausible cause of the abortion were found in 48 percent of the ovine submissions and in 34 percent of the caprine submissions. Submission of both aborted fetus and placental membranes increased the diagnostic yield of laboratory investigations (17 percent and 21 percent for ovine and caprine submissions, respectively). The main infectious causes of abortion in sheep were Chlamydia abortus, Campylobacter spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria spp., and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The main infectious causes of abortion in goats were Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydia abortus, Listeria spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Campylobacter spp. In 42 percent of the ovine and in 56 percent of the caprine submissions a causal agent was not identified. Furthermore, in 12 percent of the ovine and 10 percent of the caprine submissions evidence of placentitis, indicative of an infectious cause of the abortion, was found, but no infectious agent was identified. Most infectious causes of ovine and caprine abortion have zoonotic potential. Humans, especially pregnant women, who are in close contact with lambing sheep or goats should be aware of the importance of precautionary hygiene measures.     

Genetic analysis of the G and P genes in ungulate respiratory syncytial viruses by RNase A mismatch cleavage method

The G and P genes of bovine, ovine and caprine respiratory syncytial (RS) viruses were analyzed by RNase A one-dimensional fingerprinting, using A51908 as the reference strain. Antisense G or P RNA probes of bovine RS virus strain A 51908 were hybridized to total RNA extracted from bovine turbinate cells infected with bovine, ovine or caprine RS virus strains. The RNA:RNA heteroduplexes were digested with RNase A and the resistant products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Comparative analysis of the cleavage patterns revealed heterogeneity among bovine, ovine and caprine RS virus isolates. Ovine RS virus strains generated RNA cleavage patterns more distantly related to the bovine or caprine RS virus strains, particularly in the G gene. Statistical analysis of the results obtained indicated that genetic differences between bovine and ovine viruses were larger, compared with the ones among bovine strains themselves. The same analysis also revealed a close genetic relation among bovine and caprine strains. These results are discussed in terms of ungulate RS virus genetic variation and vaccine development.     

Bovine lineage-specific gamma delta (gammadelta) T cell GD3.5 antibody cross-reacts with cell surface antigens on ovine and caprine lymphocytes

A specifically defined function for gammadelta T cells is still a topic of intense debate. Thus, there is great importance in the identification of lineage-specific markers that characterize these cells. Early studies describe a family of lineage-specific cell-surface molecules on ruminant gammadelta T cells called WC1. More recently, a 220-240 kDa lineage-specific bovine gammadelta T cell surface marker, GD3.5Ag, was reported. Here, we used anti-bovine GD3.5Ab to study its cross-reactivity with caprine and ovine lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that GD3.5Ab binds ovine and caprine lymphocytes. In addition, immunoprecipitation experiments with GD3.5Ab demonstrate an ovine and caprine cross-reactive antigen that is similar in size to the bovine antigen. These results suggest that GD3.5Ag is well conserved among ruminant species and GD3.5Ag may play an important role in gammadelta T cell biology.     

A new serotype adenovirus isolated from a goat in the United States.

A virus (T94-0353) isolated from the small intestine of a 3-week-old kid with diarrhea and serous ocular and nasal discharge was identified as an adenovirus based on morphologic and physicochemical characteristics. Neutralization tests and restriction endonuclease analysis comparing the caprine adenovirus with the prototype bovine and ovine adenovirus serotypes and a previously isolated caprine adenovirus showed that the caprine isolate was antigenically distinct, produced a unique restriction pattern compared with currently recognized bovine, caprine, and ovine adenoviruses, and represents a new adenovirus type. The role and significance of naturally acquired adenovirus infection in respiratory and enteric disease in goats has not been established. Isolation of adenovirus from goats with disease coupled with seroepidemiologic and pathogenicity studies will help define the role of the adenoviruses in disease production.     

Greater sensitivity of caprine synovial membrane cells to human interferon-alpha than human or bovine cells

The sensitivity of caprine synovial membrane cells to the antiviral effects of natural and recombinant DNA-derived human interferons (HuIFN) was compared with that of human foreskin fibroblast (FS7), ovine choroid plexus, and bovine turbinate cells. Caprine cells were found to be more sensitive (P less than 0.01) to natural HuIFN-alpha than human, ovine, and bovine cells. The sensitivity of caprine cells to recombinant DNA-derived HuIFN-alpha was equivalent to that of ovine cells, but greater than human or bovine cells. The sensitivity of caprine cells to natural and recombinant DNA-derived HuIFN-beta was equivalent to human cells, but less than that of ovine cells.     

Epidemiological and pathological study on the causes of abortion in sheep and goats in Hungary (1998-2005)

The objective of the investigations was to study the causes of abortion in sheep and goats in Hungary during a 7.5-year period. The authors investigated 246 cases of ovine and 75 cases of caprine abortions by different diagnostic methods. An infectious origin was found in 126 cases (51.2%) of ovine and 19 cases (25%) of caprine abortions. The most important cause of ovine and caprine abortions was Chlamydophila abortus infection with a prevalence of 46% and 17%, respectively. Other infections causing sheep and goat abortions were present only in 5.2% and 8% of the cases, respectively. The results obtained by different diagnostic methods are discussed.     

Comparison of pepsinogen forms in cattle, sheep and goats

Different types and subtypes of pepsinogen extracted from bovine, ovine and caprine abomasa were found to differ according to their phosphate content and relative molecular mass (Mr). Bovine pepsinogens had organic phosphate contents ranging from 1.65 to 2.22 mol of phosphate mol-1 of pepsinogen. Ovine pepsinogens were in the range 1.50 to 2.36 and caprine pepsinogens were in the range 1.42 to 2.00. The major types of pepsinogen from each species were different in size. Bovine pepsinogen had an Mr of 39,000, ovine had an Mr of 43,000 and caprine pepsinogen had an Mr of 42,000.     

Risk factors for brucellosis seroprevalence of sheep and goat flocks in Spain

Risk factors for ovine and caprine brucellosis in the Ávila region (center of Spain) were evaluated using data from a cross-sectional study of the most important diseases of small ruminants in this Spanish region between 1996 and 1997. Questionnaire data from 56 herds (35 ovine and 21 caprine) were used. Sixteen (29%) flocks (3 caprine and 13 ovine) were brucellosis-seropositive. Overall, 0.7% of sheep and 0.1% of goats were seropositive. Eleven risk factors were studied at the group level by logistic regression using flock brucellosis-status as outcome, and by linear regression using percentage of brucellosis-seropositivity as outcome. Both final models contained the same variables: contact with sheep and grazing in communal pastures as risk factors, and frequency of disinfecting practices as a protective factor.     

Survey of ovine and caprine toxoplasmosis by IFAT and PCR assays in Sardinia, Italy

During the period 1999-2002, we have analyzed 9639 serum samples and 815 aborted samples (670 fetuses and 145 placenta) from 964 ovine and caprine farms distributed over all Sardinia island. After abortion notification, sera collected at random from adult animals were examined to detect simultaneously IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii by indirect immunofluorescence assay, whereas fetuses and placenta were analyzed by a single tube nested PCR assay. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 2048 (28.4%) sheep and 302 (12.3%) goats, specific IgM antibodies were found in 652 (9%) sheep and 139 (5.6%) goats. From a total of 2471 ovine and 362 caprine fetal samples including muscle, liver, abomasum, spleen, brain and placenta, 271 (11.1%) ovine and 23 (6.4%) caprine samples were T. gondii PCR-positive. Although T. gondii DNA was amplified from different types of tissues, placenta was the tissue with the highest detection rate. On the one hand, these results indicate that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats is relatively high, on the other PCR results demonstrate that T. gondii has a significant role in ovine and caprine abortion. Adequate management might be useful and essential to control the toxoplasmosis in the sheep and goats herds of Sardinia.     

Variations inEchinococcus granulosus of bovine origin identified by enzyme electrophoresis

Hydatid cysts of bovine, equine, porcine, ovine, caprine and human origin and also from gerbils used to passage cysts of human origin were obtained from various geographical locations. Extracts from these cysts were compared for the electrophoretic forms of glucose phosphate isomerase. Equine and porcine cyst extracts had identical zymogram patterns. These differed markedly from the zymogram patterns of cysts of ovine, caprine and human origin which appeared identical to the ovine strain. In contrast both types of zymogram patterns were found in extracts from cysts obtained from cattle. This variation seemed to be associated with both geographical location and the fertility of the cysts.     

Immunoglobulin G class identification from wild ungulates by cross-reactivity with antisera to domestic animals

Seven species of Spanish ungulates were tested for the presence of homologous immunoglobulin G (IgG) with a gel-diffusion test using bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine IgG antisera. Homologous ovine and caprine IgG were detected in sera from chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica), mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Homologous porcine IgG was detected in wild boar (Sus scrofa) serum. Immunoelectrophoretic assays were performed to compare the electrophoretic mobility of IgG from domestic and wild species.     

Preparation and evaluation of antigens used in serological tests for caprine syncytial retrovirus antibody in sheep and goat sera

Methods used to prepare antigens from caprine syncytial retrovirus (CSR) for use in the agarose gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) or an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are described. Caprine and ovine sera were tested for antibody to CSR using the AGID test and ELISA incorporating a caprine system (CSR antigen and rabbit anti-goat IgG) or an ovine system (maedi-visna virus antigen and rabbit anti-sheep IgG). Good correlation was achieved in the results of the 3 tests when sera were devoid of antibody or were strongly positive. Variations in the results on weakly positive sera were considered to be more a matter of interpretation than due to basic differences in the reagents employed.     

Soil type as a putative risk factor of ovine and caprine paratuberculosis seropositivity in Spain

Relationships between soil type and ovine and caprine paratuberculosis in the Avila region (central Spain) were evaluated using data from a cross-sectional study of the most-important diseases of small ruminants in this Spanish region between 1996 and 1997. Questionnaire data from 61 herds (38 ovine and 23 caprine) and 1451 serum samples (1041 ovine and 410 caprine) were used. Herd paratuberculosis (herds were scored as positive to paratuberculosis if any of the serum samples was positive in an agar-gel immunodifussion) was the outcome of interest, whereas soil type in the municipality where farms were located was the predictor variable. Other variables related to soil and soil usage, and herd size, replacement, main food production and animal species were also introduced into the multivariable logistic regression. The final model contained only two independent variables: the predictor variable soil type (coded as two dummy variables ST-1 and ST-2) and herd size (dichotomized at the highest quartile). The estimated Odds Ratios were 25.9 (95% CI: 1.6, 411) for ST-1 (entisols as soil type) and 3.5 (95% CI: 0.3, 45) for ST-2 (inceptisols as soil type).     

Viral diseases of the ruminant nervous system.

This article presents the etiology, epidemiology, clinical features,and diagnosis of the primary viral neurologic diseases observed in ruminants. In general, these viral neurologic diseases are uncommon but often fatal. Rabies virus is perhaps the most important cause of encephalitis in cattle because of the public health implications. Other viral encephalitis diseases in ruminants include bovine herpesvirus encephalomyelitis, pseudorabies, malignant catarrhal fever, ovine and caprine lentiviral encephalitis, West Nile virus encephalitis, Borna disease, paramyxoviral sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis,and ovine encephalomyelitis (louping-ill).     

绵羊进行性肺炎病毒与山羊关节炎一脑炎病毒的血清学交叉反应的研究

本实验用琼脂凝胶免疫扩散试验（ＡＧＩＤＴ）和免疫印迹试验（ＩＢＡ）对实验感染绵羊进行性肺炎病毒（ＯＰＰＶ）的山羊血清与山羊关节炎—脑炎病毒（ＣＡＥＶ）抗原以及实验感染ＣＡＥＶ的绵羊血清与ＯＰＰＶ抗原的交叉反应进行了研究。４只接种ＯＰＰＶ的山羊中有一只山羊的血清可与ＣＡＥＶ琼扩抗原发生交叉反应,并在免疫印迹试验中可识别ＣＡＥＶ的ｇｐ４４、ｐ３５和ｐ２８。２只接种ＣＡＥＶ的绵羊中有一只绵羊的血清可与ＯＰＰＶ琼扩抗原发生交叉反应,并在免疫印迹试验中可识别ＯＰＰＶ的ｇｐ４４和ｐ２８。以上的交叉反应结果表明ＯＰＰＶ与ＣＡＥＶ的抗原之间具有密切的相关性,这对于ＯＰＰＶ通过山羊和ＣＡＥＶ通过绵羊的传代研究是非常重要的,并对将来的免疫预防策略具有重要的指导意义。     

The Early Effects of Clostridium perfringens Type D Epsilon Toxin in Ligated Intestinal Loops of Goats and Sheep

Clostridium perfringens type D produces enterotoxaemia in goats, sheep and other animals. The disease is caused by C. perfringens epsilon toxin and, while enterotoxaemia in goats is usually characterized by enterocolitis, the disease in sheep is characterized by systemic lesions (such as lung and brain oedema) with minor and inconsistent changes observed in the intestine. A possible explanation for these differences is that epsilon toxin is more promptly absorbed by the ovine than by the caprine intestine. In an attempt to clarify this, we examined the early effects of epsilon toxin on caprine and ovine intestine. Intestinal loop assays were performed to analyse the physiological and morphological changes induced by epsilon toxin in the intestine of these species. Fluid accumulation was observed in caprine and ovine ileum and colon treated with epsilon toxin. Ileal loops from goats treated with epsilon toxin retained sodium and water earlier than ovine ileal loops treated with the same toxin. Histological analysis showed morphological alterations in the colon of both species as early as 2 h after the commencement of epsilon toxin treatment; these changes were more marked in goats than in sheep. No morphological changes were observed in the ileum of either species after 4 h incubation with epsilon toxin. These results suggest that epsilon toxin modifies ion and water transport in the small and the large intestine of goats and sheep through different mechanisms.     

Immunoglobulin G Class Identification from Wild Ungulates by Cross‐reactivity with Antisera to Domestic Animals

Seven species of Spanish ungulates were tested for the presence of homologous immunoglobulin G (IgG) with a gel‐diffusion test using bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine IgG antisera. Homologous ovine and caprine IgG were detected in sera from chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica), mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Homologous porcine IgG was detected in wild boar (Sus scrofa) serum. Immunoelectrophoretic assays were performed to compare the electrophoretic mobility of IgG from domestic and wild species.     

Prevalence of anti-Yersinia outer protein antibodies in goats in lower saxony

Little is known about the prevalence of caprine yersiniosis in Germany. Only few cases are reported every year. The intention of the survey was to provide representative data on the seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia antibodies in goats in the German state of Lower Saxony. A commercially available Western blot kit was used to identify caprine and ovine anti-Yersinia antibodies against five proteins [YopM, H, D, E and V-antigen (V-Ag)]. Of the 681 investigated goat sera, 449 (66%) had anti-Yop/V-Ag antibodies. Only two of 28 animal holdings housed sero-negative goats. Boxplot analysis showed that the number of non-reactive animals is correlated to the size of a herd and the fact of milk production, respectively. A tendency was observed that various management factors may influence the anti-Yersinia antibody status. No statement was possible on the impact of keeping additional carrier animals such as pigs, cows or sheep on a farm or the type of husbandry on the seroprevalence of anti-Yersinia antibodies. This study provides trend-setting data for yersiniosis in goat-holdings. The impact on consumer health, i.e. especially for risk groups-like people allergic to cow milk and the impact on the profit of a farm will have to be elucidated in further studies.     

Preliminary observations on reproduction in a female sheep-goat chimaera.

Four oestrous cycles of a female sheep-goat chimaera were monitored by using a vasectomised ram. The mean (+/- se) length of the cycle was 18.5 +/- 0.64 days with a range from 17 to 20 days. The chimaera was superovulated twice, bred to fertile rams, and the embryos recovered by laparotomy 13 or five days after oestrus, so that karyotype analysis could reveal the genotype of the oocyte. After the first superovulation one ovine day-13 embryo was collected; two fragments of another embryo (or embryos) were also collected, but readable chromosome spreads were not obtained from these embryos or from the two four-cell embryos that were collected five days after the second superovulation. Two surgical embryo transfers to the chimaera resulted in pregnancies. The first transfer involved an eight-cell ovine embryo and two caprine morulae and ended in the abortion of an ovine fetus between days 110 and 130. The second pregnancy occurred after the transfer of two ovine and two caprine morulae. A healthy lamb was born on day 147 of pregnancy. Both placentae had small numbers of cotyledons. A histological evaluation of the cotyledons revealed an abnormal placentome structure in the first pregnancy but not in the second.