Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157 in Finnish cattle

Bovine faecal samples were collected during June-December 1997 at 14 major abattoirs slaughtering cattle in Finland. Escherichia coli O157 was isolated from 19 of the 1448 samples (1.31%) after enrichment and immunomagnetic separation (IMS). The positive faecal isolates originated from 16 farms and eight abattoirs. The occurrence of E. coli O157 was highest in July (8/204; 3.92%) and September (6/244; 2.46%). No E. coli O157 was detected in November and December, nor from the faecal samples from the northernmost region where cattle density is low. All of the isolates carried the eae gene and showed the enterohaemolytic phenotype. All except one were motile and had the flagella antigen H7. Seventeen of the isolates were positive for stx(2) gene and one carried both the stx(1) and stx(2) genes. Of the 17 isolates with stx genes, 16 were verocytotoxin-positive in a reversed passive latex agglutination test after polymyxin extraction but only eight without extraction. The isolates belonged to 10 different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. The most common PFGE pattern (1.42) was detected in eight isolates (42.1%). Four PFGE patterns (1.1; 1.6; 1.12; 1.14) were identical with those isolated from humans in Finland, suggesting that at least some human E. coli O157 infections may be of bovine origin.     

Occurrence of the ear-mite Raillietia auris in cattle in Austria

We describe here the first documented case in Austria of the cattle ear mite Raillietia auris in a four-year-old dairy cow. The cow was mildly depressed, and keratoconjunctivitis was diagnosed in both eyes with Horner's syndrome in the left eye. The animal showed a mild head tilt to the left and a generalized ataxia with a tendency to move to the right side, which became exacerbated if the animal was blind-folded. Head pressing to the right side, dysphagia and a dropped jaw were also observed. Numerous rather mobile ear mites were observed at necropsy in the basal part of the left ear canal. The clinical significance of the cattle ear mite is uncertain and the clinical signs could have been caused by listerial encephalitis, which was also confirmed histologically in this case.     

Occurrence of rift valley fever in cattle in Ijara district,Kenya

Ijara district in Kenya was one of the hotspots of rift valley fever (RVF) during the 2006/2007 outbreak which led to human and animal deaths causing huge economic and public health losses. The main constraint in the control and prevention of RVF is inadequate knowledge on its occurrence during the interepidemic period. This study was aimed at understanding the occurrence of RVF in cattle in Ijara to enable the development of improved community-based disease surveillance, prediction, control and prevention.     

Cranial tumors in aged cattle causing Horner's syndrome and exophthalmos

An 11-year-old Jersey cow and a 9-year-old Holstein cow were examined for complaints of progressive exophthalmos. Additionally, signs of unilateral Horner's syndrome and reduced air movement through the nasal passages on the affected side were observed. In both cases, a poor prognosis was given due to suspected neoplasia. At 2 and 6 months, respectively, after initial examination, these cows were killed and post mortem examinations of the affected tissues were performed. The diagnosis for the Jersey was sclerosing respiratory epithelial adenocarcinoma and for the Holstein was squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical signs, differential diagnosis, and the progression of the disease were discussed.     

Occurrence, isolation and serotyping of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in cattle and pig slurry

In a survey on the occurrence of potential pathogenic bacteria in slurry, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rh.) was found in samples from 49 % of 84 cattle herds, 44 % of 32 pig herds, and 39 % of 67 cattle and pig herds. Among E. rh. isolates from 81 of the herds, 16 different serotypes were distinguished, including 1 serotype not previously described, which was designated serotype 23.Procedures of isolation and serotyping are presented and discussed, and the serotype distribution within the different herd categories is outlined.