Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in American bison

Eighteen 12-month-old bison were randomly placed in each of 3 groups (6 animals/group): group-1 bison were exposed to live Mycobacterium bovis, group-2 bison were inoculated with killed M bovis in oil, and group-3 bison were noninfected controls. Six, 6-month-old, tuberculin test-negative calves were placed (pen contact) with group-1 bison 30 days after exposure to M bovis. Tuberculin skin test responses (caudal fold and/or comparative cervical) were detected in all bison in groups 1 and 2 at 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12 months. Tuberculin skin test responses were observed in 2 of 6 calves at 9 and 11 months after pen contact with M bovis-exposed bison (group 1). Statistically significant lymphocyte blastogenic responses to M bovis purified protein derivative were detected in group-1 bison exposed to live M bovis at 2 months after exposure (P less than 0.025). Significant ELISA reactions were detected in sera of bison at 2 months after exposure to killed M bovis in oil (P less than 0.005) and in bison 2 months after exposure to live M bovis (P less than 0.01). Significant tuberculin skin responses, ELISA reactions, or lymphocyte blastogenic responses to M bovis purified protein derivative were not observed in the 6 control bison. Grossly visible tuberculous lesions were observed in lymph nodes and/or lung collected at necropsy in 4 of 6 bison at 12 months after exposure to live M bovis. Microscopic granulomas compatible with tuberculosis were detected in 5 of 6 bison; M bovis was isolated from tissues of each of the 6 bison.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Repletion of blood selenium concentrations in weaned beef calves

Eighty-three weaned beef calves severely deficient (less than 20 micrograms/L) in blood selenium (Se) were allotted by sex, weight and breed to one of six regimens of Se supplementation for 108 days to examine the efficacy of various Se supplementation programs and to monitor the repletion rate of blood Se concentrations. Cattle in treatment 1 received an IM injection of sodium selenite and an ad libitum feeding of 20 mg Se/kg salt-mineral mixture. Salt-mineral mixtures (treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5) were formulated to contain 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg Se/kg supplement, respectively, and were offered free-choice. Treatment 2 served as the selenium-treated control because 20 mg Se/kg supplement was the maximum permissible by FDA in commercial salt-mineral preparations at the time of this study. Cattle in treatment 6 received a salt-mineral supplement which contained no Se but dried brewers grain (434 micrograms Se/kg) was incorporated in the ration as an organic source of Se and fed at a rate of 1.1 kg/head/day. There was a within group time/treatment interaction (P less than 0.01) among all treatments as blood Se concentrations significantly increased over time. Final mean whole blood Se concentrations for treatments 1-6 were 87.8, 60.6, 95.1, 123.1, 154.2 and 91.4 micrograms/L, respectively. Treatments 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 effectively increased and maintained whole blood Se concentrations at adequate levels (greater than 70 micrograms/L) by day 84. Treatment 2 (control) increased blood Se during the 108-day study, but blood Se concentrations never exceeded marginal levels (50-70 micrograms/L). Cattle consumed less salt-mineral supplement as the concentration of Na selenite increased from 20 to 160 mg Se/kg supplement.     

Effect of chemotherapy on semen characteristics of Balami rams infected with Anaplasma ovis

Six intact Balami rams were experimentally infected with Anaplasma ovis. Another six were infected one month after splenectomy and six others served as controls. Clinical manifestations of the disease, first observed between 5 to 7 days post-infection, were more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised-infected than in the intact-infected group. There was progressive deterioration in semen quality, which was also significantly more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised than in the intact-infected rams. Following treatment with long-acting terramycine, clinical recovery occurred earlier in the intact-infected (1–4 weeks) than in the splenectomised-infected group (5–7 weeks). A similar pattern was observed in post-treatment improvement in the spermiogram. However, although the infected animals recovered clinically by 1–7 weeks post-treatment, restoration of the reproductive potential did not occur for 20 to 25 weeks. It appears that stress factors may aggravate the deliterious effects of anaplasmosis.     

Comparison of three serologic techniques for detection of antibody to Mycoplasma pulmonis

A comparison of three micro-assay detection systems for naturally occurring and experimentally induced rat antibody to Mycoplasma pulmonis was performed. The micro-enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay was found superior to counter immunoelectrophoresis or complement fixation techniques when comparing sensitivity, duration of antibody response, or technical requirements. The primary immune response was routinely detected at 3 weeks after antigen exposure when using the enzyme linked or complement fixation assays.     

Thirteen cases of botulism in horses fed big bale silage

An outbreak of pharyngeal and limb paresis involving four horses and nine ponies in the south east of England is described. Nine of the animals died or were destroyed on humane grounds. The clinical features suggested a diagnosis of botulism and mouse innoculation tests confirmed the presence of type B toxin in the serum of one case. All animals were fed big bale silage. It is describe how, in plastic wrapped silage manufacture, conditions of fermentation may be inadequate to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulism. Examination of a sample of silage fed to the affected horses suggested that this was probably the source of the toxin.     

Ovine uterine morphogenesis: histochemical aspects of endometrial development in the fetus and neonate

Uterine tissues obtained from fetal (d 60 to term; n = 17; d 0 = day of mating) and neonatal (n = 9; d 0 = birth) lambs were subjected to alcian blue-8GX and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-lectin histochemistry to determine if alcianophilic properties of the epitheliomesenchymal interface (EMI) changed during endometrial morphogenesis and to characterize distribution of binding sites for seven FITC-lectins during uterine development. Neonatal lambs were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy and unilateral hysterectomy (BOHX; n = 3) or unilateral ovariohysterectomy (UOHX; n = 3) on d 0. Remaining tissues were recovered on d 14. Procedures allowed within-animal comparisons of endometrial responses and assessment of the role of the ovary in endometrial morphogenesis. Uteri also were obtained from three intact neonatal lambs by hysterectomy (d 14, d 15 and d 26). Alcianophilic properties of the EMI characteristic of polyanionic glycosaminoglycans (GAG) changed with onset of endometrial remodelling after fetal d 60 and were characterized by loss of EMI alcianophilia at or above .3 M MgCl2 and at low pH. Alcianophilic properties of the neonatal endometrium suggested restabilization of lumenal EMI and destabilization of the EMI in developing endometrial glands. Five of seven FITC-lectins bound to both fetal and neonatal uterine tissue. Tissues from UOHX, BOHX and intact ewes were indistinguishable histochemically. Data provide evidence of a role for GAG in ovine endometrial morphogenesis, ovary-independent initiation of endometrial glandular development, and illustrate potential uses of FITC-lectin conjugates in studies of ungulate uterine tissues.     

Gastrointestinal parasites presence during the peripartum decreases total milk production in grazing dairy Holstein cows

Parasitism in cattle is known to impair growth and development. Recent findings suggest that productivity of adult animals is also affected, but little is known about the physiological mechanisms involved. Furthermore, development of nematode resistance to drugs makes imperative the search of management practices that avoid whole herd treatment. We undertook an epidemiological and endocrine study in a grass based dairy farm in Argentina to study the effect of parasites on milk production and the underlying mechanisms involved, and identify individual animals that would benefit from antiparasitic treatment. All the cows in the dairy were followed monthly for egg parasite output in feces. Samples were cultured for genera determination. Milk production and reproductive results were recorded and periodical bleedings for hormone determination were performed. Nematode egg output (EPG) was maximal in late Summer and Autumn and minimal in Spring in coincidence with the Ostertagia inhibition-disinhibition cycle as this genus had the highest prevalence in all the study. The highest proportion of positive samples was found in the high producing herd and maximal counts were found in the peripartal period. Milk production did not correlate with EPG mean values but, when cows were grouped by EPG positivity around parturition, a significant difference in total milk production between EPG null and positive cows was observed. Positive cows produced 7%, 12% or 15% less milk than null EPG cows, depending on the sampling month/s chosen for classification. The highest difference was seen when both prepartum and postpartum samples were taken into account. No difference in lactation length and a marginal effect on partum to first service interval were encountered. Endocrine studies revealed a decrease in serum growth hormone (GH), type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and prolactin during lactation in cows with positive EPG in the first postpartum sample with respect to null EPG cows at that time. GH levels decreased and prolactin and IGF-I levels increased in both groups of cows from month 0 to 6 in milk. Serum insulin levels remained stable throughout lactation and were similar in both groups of cows. In conclusion, EPG around parturition may be a useful tool for identifying cows that will have a decrease in productivity due to parasite effects and would possibly benefit from an antiparasitic treatment. Besides, our results suggest that detrimental effect of parasites on milk production may be mediated by GH, IGF-I and prolactin serum levels.     

Evaluation of 2 sources of Angus cattle under South Florida subtropical conditions

The objective of this study was to compare performance and aspects of adaptability attributes of cattle from a Florida Angus bloodline (local source from a mostly closed herd for over 50 yr) to cattle that are representative of modern Angus bloodlines (outside source) in US subtropical conditions. Embryos from both sources were transferred to Brahman-crossbred cows in South Florida, and calves (n=82) were born in 3 yr. Before weaning, summer tympanic temperatures were recorded hourly for 3 d in each year. Heifers were placed with fertile bulls until diagnosed pregnant. Traits relative to sexual maturation of bulls were recorded at 1- or 2-mo intervals until approximately 17 mo of age. Calves from outside sources had greater hip height at weaning than calves from the local source (P<0.001; 108.8 ± 0.62 and 104.7 ± 0.68 cm, respectively). Local-source calves (n=37) had greater (P=0.03) exit velocity (2.7 ± 0.3 m/s) than outside-source (n=45) calves (2.0 ± 0.29 m/s), which may be indicative of more nervous or temperamental disposition. However, no source differences were detected for other assessments of disposition (chute or pen score, P>0.8). Few source differences for minimum, maximum, or range of daily tympanic (inner ear) temperatures were detected. At 17 mo of age, outside-source heifers were heavier (P = 0.05) and had greater (P<0.001) hip height than Angus heifers from the local source. Heifers from the outside source were younger (P<0.001) at the time of their first conception (454 ± 17.5 d) than heifers from the local source (550 ± 16.9 d). Outside-source heifers also had greater (P<0.02) pregnancy and calving rates (0.7 ± 0.119 and 0.62 ± 0.125, respectively) from exposure to bulls within a year from weaning than the heifers from the local source (0.29 ± 0.089 and 0.19 ± 0.077, respectively). Bulls from the outside source were heavier (P=0.05) at 320 d of age than local-source bulls. From 14 through 17 mo of age, outside-source bulls had greater (P≤0.05) scrotal circumference and tended (P≤0.15) to be heavier than local-source bulls. There appeared to be no performance or adaptation advantages for the local-source Angus through 17 mo of age. The large source difference for age at first conception in heifers merits additional attention and comparison with cow lifetime production performance for the 2 sources.     

Concurrent nephrosplenic entrapment and acquired inguinal herniation of the jejunum in a Standardbred stallion

A stallion presenting for surgical correction of an acquired inguinal hernia was also diagnosed with a nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) intraoperatively. Surgical intervention resulted in a successful outcome. To date, these conditions have not been reported to occur simultaneously.     

Vaccination of Poultry Workers: Delivery and Uptake of Seasonal Influenza Immunization

Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease in poultry and although the risk of human infection is low, concerns exist that it could evolve into a new human strain of pandemic potential if reassortment with a human influenza virus occurs. In January 2007, the UK government introduced a programme to vaccinate poultry workers to reduce the potential of such an event. This study evaluates the delivery, uptake and costs of the programme in three counties of England. A questionnaire survey was completed by consultants in public health in all the Primary Care Trusts in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire in May 2007. The delivery of the programme varied between Primary Care Trusts, including being delivered in some cases by clinics in primary care, by general practitioners and occupational health services in others. The uptake of vaccination was low ranging from 7% to 29% at a cost of £29 to £132 per person vaccinated. Vaccination of poultry workers as a public health measure to prevent an influenza pandemic is likely to be ineffective with the level of coverage found in this evaluation in our region.