Some preliminary observations on the susceptibility and resistance of different cattle breeds to Theileria parva infection

Theileria parva-na?ve Friesian (Bos taurus), Boran (Bos indicus) and Maasai Zebu steers (B. indicus) were infected with a T. parva sporozoite stabilate dose which had previously been shown to induce an estimated 50% mortality rate in Boran cattle. All the cattle developed patent infections with no significant differences in the length of the prepatent period to development of macroschizonts (P > 0.05) between the three groups. Clinical theileriosis occurred in all eight the Friesians (100%), five out of nine Borans (55.6%) and two out of five Zebus (40%). Three of the Friesians (37.5%), and two of the Borans (22.2%) died of theileriosis. The different cattle types were equally susceptible to the infective dose used as indicated by the length of the prepatent periods, but there was a marked difference in their development of clinical theileriosis. The gradation in resistance to disease confirms the findings of earlier less critical studies and identifies these cattle breeds as suitable for investigations into the mechanisms of resistance to theileriosis.     

Detection of virus diseases affecting almond nursery trees in western Anatolia (Turkey)

The purpose of this study was a comprehensive survey on the occurrence and distribution of the viruses affecting almond nursery trees in western Anatolia (Turkey). Three provinces (Aydýn, Balýkesir and Ýzmir) which are well known for their state and commercial nursery plantations of almond (mixed with other stone fruits) were visited and 19 300 and 19 000 almond nursery trees were surveyed in 1992 and 1993, and 56 and 40 leaf samples collected, respectively. The main viral symptoms were chlorotic and necrotic spots, calico, mosaic, narrowing and deformation of the leaves; gummosis, weak growth, dwarfing and short internodes of the trees. DAS-ELISA was used to detect prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV), prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV), raspberry ringspot nepovirus (RRV), peach rosette mosaic nepovirus (PRMV) and tomato ringspot nepovirus (ToRSV) in almond nursery trees in west Anatolia. PNRSV was found to be the most widespread according to ELISA. PDV was the second most important virus, and some samples were infected with both ilarviruses. Fewer samples were found infected with PRMV, RRV and only a few samples were infected with ToRSV.     

Studies on naturally acquired immunity to African ticks. II. Observations on cattle exposed to Rhipicephalus appendiculatus under varying periods of repeated infestations.

Groups of Friesian cattle were infested repeatedly with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus at weekly intervals (eight infestations) and at intervals of 3 weeks (seven infestations) and 6 weeks (seven infestations). The engorgement weight of adults, nymphs and larvae decreased significantly initially, from the second infestation, but rose significantly at later infestations. This rise was more dramatic with larval instars than with any other. A new method for quantifying the resistance status of animals was introduced; this method showed that the resistance acquired by cattle during 6-weekly reinfestations was more stable than that acquired by cattle during weekly and 3-weekly reinfestations. The criteria for assessing natural resistance to ticks was reappraised. These are classified into those serving long- and short-term purposes, and those which have direct and indirect effects. Criteria which could serve long- and short-term purposes include a reduced number of engorged ticks, an increased number of dead male and female ticks, a decreased number of ticks which fed above the critical engorgement weight and an increased number which fed within the pre-mating weight and decreased the number of copulations. The criterion of reduced engorgement weight can serve the short-term purpose only. A new manifestation of resistance to ticks, i.e. decreased moulting weights of nymphs and adults, together with the criterion of decreased egg hatchability, were classified as indirect effects because they were manifested after the ticks had dropped off the resistant cattle.     

Immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Coast Province, Kenya: laboratory evaluation of a Theileria parva parva stabilate for use in 'infection and treatment' immunisation in the field

Theileria parva parva Marikebuni stock, previously shown to give good protection to immunised cattle in Kilifi District, Coast Province of Kenya, was chosen for large scale immunisation in the district. A large sporozoite stabilate was prepared and evaluated for efficacy and safety in the 'infection and treatment' method, using a long or short acting formulation of oxytetracycline. Susceptible cattle were infected with selected doses of stabilate (10(0), 10(-1), 10(-1.7) and left either as untreated controls, or treated with one of the two oxytetracycline formulations. It was concluded that stabilate dilution at 10(-0.7) or 10(-1) in combination with either formulation of oxytetracycline would effect satisfactory immunisation. The short acting oxytetracycline treatment was judged to be the most efficacious in protecting cattle against homologous challenge. On heterologous challenge it was found that T p parva Marikebuni immune cattle were protected against seven T p parva stocks from Kilifi District and also against four stocks of T p parva from other areas of Kenya. In addition, the Marikebuni stock provided partial protection against challenge by T p lawrencei stocks. Furthermore, cattle immune to T p parva and T p lawrencei were protected against lethal challenge of T p parva Marikebuni stock. Thus, it appears that large scale immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Kilifi District could be undertaken using the Marikebuni stock. With continued assessment, this stock could provide a master theilerial stock for immunisation against cattle theileriosis in areas free of buffaloes elsewhere in Kenya.     

Immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Nakuru District of Kenya by infection and treatment and the introduction of unconventional tick control.

One hundred and one cross European-Boran cattle (50 cows and 51 calves), on a farm in Nakuru District, Kenya, were immunised against theileriosis using Theileria parva lawrencei and Theileria parva parva stocks from another district of Kenya. The stabilates used were T.p.lawrencei (Mara III) used at 10(-1.7) dilution and T.p.parva (Kilae) used at 10(-1.0) dilution. The stabilates were combined and inoculated simultaneously with a short-acting formulation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride given intramuscularly at 10 mg kg-1 body weight and was repeated on Day 4 after inoculation of the stabilate. Most of the theileriosis challenge on the farm was thought to be derived directly from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Nine percent of the cattle had significant indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres before the immunisation and 99% after immunisation. The immunised cattle were exposed to tick-borne disease challenge on the farm by withdrawal of acaricide cover. The immunised cattle were divided into five groups plus two susceptible control cows and two calves for each group. Cattle in four of the groups had acaricidal ear tags, each group having a different type, applied to both ears and the fifth group remained untagged. The animals remained without conventional acaricide application for 134 days. Ten out of 20 (50%) non-immunised control cattle became T.p.lawrencei reactors which only one out of 97 (1%) of the immunised cattle reacted. A frequent complication noted was mild infections due to unidentified Theileria sp. which required expert differentiation from T.parva infections. An additional group of ten steers whose tick load was removed by hand at weekly intervals was introduced 79 days after exposure; these had no tick control and four became T.p.lawrencei reactors. Of 12 calves born during the exposure period and without tick control, four became theilerial reactors and one died. The application of acaricidal tags however, reduced tick infestation levels considerably compared with untagged controls but did not prevent transmission of theileriosis with the possible exception of tags on Group 4. A number of transient low grade fevers were noted and attributed to Theileria sp., Ehrlichia bovis, Ehrlichia (Cytoecetes) ondiri and Borrelia theileri infections, none of which were fatal. One immunised animal died of acute dual infection of Babesia bigemina and Borrelia theileri after acaricide control by spraying was re-introduced but no Anaplasma infections were detected. An analysis of the economic effects of immunisation was made.     

Problems of potato cyst nematode pathotypes in the Czech Republic

During 1983–1989 about 1,200 infested plots in the Czech republic were investigated for the occurrence of new pathotypes of the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globoderu rostochiensis and G. pallida. Only eight populations of the pest were suspected of containing another pathotype than Ro1. Glasshouse pot trials were performed with those eight natural populations, two populations of Ro1, 10 potato cultivars resistant to Ro1 and 10 cultivars resistant to more pathotypes, G. pallida included. The multiplication rates (Pf/Pi) showed that four of the PCN populations were probably mixtures, with pathotype Ro1 prevailing. Three populations were suspected of containing G. pallida , but their morphological characters corresponded only with G. rostochiensis. One population corresponded with pathotype Ro5. The extent of the occurrence of pathotypes or virulence groups different from Ro1 can be estimated at 0.3–0.4% of infested plots.     

Articular/epiphyseal osteochondrosis in Thoroughbred foals at 5 months of age: Influences of growth of the foal and prenatal copper supplementation of the dam

AIMS: To determine the influence of copper (Cu) supplementation by injection of mares in late gestation on the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in their foals at around 160 days of age. To determine if there was any influence of the concentration of Cu in the liver, growth rate, birthweight, weight at 160 days of age, fatness, sex, or year of birth of the foal on the frequency and severity of OC lesions. To determine the influence of dam's age, and sex and birthweight of the foal on the growth rate from birth to 160 days of age, and weight at 160 days of age.

METHODS: Thirty-three Thoroughbred foals, born in two consecutive years, were weighed every 2 weeks from birth. The dams had been supplemented with parenteral Cu or saline during late gestation, and the supplementation regimens were different in each year. Foals had liver biopsies harvested at birth for determination of Cu concentration. Pasture samples were collected every 4–8 weeks for analysis of concentration of Cu and zinc (Zn). At 160 days of age, articular cartilage of long bones was examined. Gross lesions were counted and scored, then sawn and radiographed, and processed for histopathology. Lesions were given radiographic scores and histopathological scores. Maximum scores for each lesion were combined to give a total OC score for each joint and each foal. The fatness of 20 foals (10 each from Years 1 and 2) at 160 days of age was determined chemically.

RESULTS: Supplementation of dams with Cu had no significant effect on the concentration of Cu in the liver of foals at birth, or on the frequency or severity of lesions in articular cartilage at 160 days of age. The Cu and Zn concentrations of pasture were similar in Years 1 and 2, and were lower than current recommendations. All foals in Year 2, and 9/10 foals in Year 1 had irregularities in cartilage that was confirmed histologically to be indicative of OC. The average number of lesions per foal was 4.7 (SD 1.1) and 5.7 (SD 1.1) in Years 1 and 2, respectively. However, the severity of the lesions was considered mild, and no foals showed any clinical evidence of OC while alive. The number of lesions in the tarsocrural (TC) joint and the TC OC score at 160 days were positively associated with average daily weight gain (ADG) in the previous 4 weeks (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively). There was no significant effect of sex, fatness, birth-weight, weight at 160 days of age, or year of birth of the foal on the frequency and severity of OC lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: Many of the lesions classified as OC, using classification systems described by other authors, were likely to be normal variations of the process of endochondral ossification. Despite the high frequency of such lesions, they were considered to be of minor significance and none were clinically evident. The distribution of lesions was not typical, and most probably reflected the subtlety of the lesions. These results support the hypothesis that Cu is an over-emphasised factor in the aetiopathogenesis of OC. The relationship between subtle macroscopic lesions and lesions resulting in clinical signs of disease requires further investigation.     

The effect of intermittent treatment with sulphadimidine on coccidiosis in preruminant calves

Preruminant calves excreted coccidia oocysts in their faeces after 3 weeks of group housing. Two weeks of oral sulphadimidine (SDM) administration, 50 mg/kg on the first day of treatment followed by daily administration of 37.5 mg/kg, under the same housing conditions kept the faeces free of oocysts. Three weeks later, these calves excreted oocysts again. Repetition of the same treatment for 2 weeks controlled the infection again, but a second treatment for 5 days did not suffice. The repeated long treatment affected immunoglobulin levels adversely. SDM given repeatedly at a lower dose rate (30 mg/kg) for 1-week periods with medication-free intervals of 1 week controlled the infection and no adverse effects were noted. In comparison with controls, weight gains were greater in treated calves.     

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification test for Trypanosoma vivax based on satellite repeat DNA

Trypanosoma vivax is major cause of animal trypanosomiasis and responsible for enormous economic burden in Africa and South America animal industry. T. vivax infections mostly run low parasitaemia with no apparent clinical symptoms, making diagnosis a challenge. This work reports the design and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test for detecting T. vivax DNA based on the nuclear satellite repeat sequence. The assay is rapid with results obtained within 35 min. The analytical sensitivity is ～ 1 trypanosome/ml while that of the classical PCR tests ranged from 10 to 10(3)trypanosomes/ml. The T. vivax LAMP test reported here is simple, robust and has future potential in diagnosis of animal trypanosomiasis in the field.