The use of a mass-action model to validate the output from a stochastic simulation model of bovine viral diarrhoea virus spread in a closed dairy herd

The spread of bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in a closed dairy herd maintained under typical management conditions is studied using two approaches. In the first instance a stochastic computer model is used to simulate the month-to-month changes in the infection status of each animal. These results are contrasted with the results of a mass-action model which uses three differential equations. A comparison of the two approaches indicates that the results are in broad agreement. The stochastic approach has the benefit of providing an estimate of the probability of the infection becoming extinct and the herd becoming BVDV-free for different herd sizes.     

Detection of porcine rotavirus by EM, ELISA and CIET

Feces samples from swine-herds with severe problems of neonatal diarrhoea, 3 weeks scours or early weaning diarrhoea were examined for porcine rotavirus using three techniques: EM, ELISA and CIET. Infection with rotavirus was found in about one third of the feces samples, representing more than half of the examined swine-herds. EM and ELISA revealed nearly all the samples found to be positive, while CIET as used here detected only half of them.     

Severe malformations in calves associated with bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus infection in a dairy cattle herd

During late may 2004, Some dairy cows at Al-Kharj area of central Saudi Arabia, gave birth to severely malformed calves which died, few hours to few days following birth. Samples were collected from the affected calves and their dams of virological and serological investigations. Bovine viral diarrhoea virus was detected by capture enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in the brains of affected calves. Serum antibodies were detected in the dams. The present study indicated that in spite of vaccination against BVD in the country, still severe affections of the disease are encountered. Further insight epidemiological studies to elucidate the BVD situation in Saudi Arabia is urgently needed.     

Cryptosporidium hominis Subtypes and Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes in HIV‐Infected Persons in Ibadan,Nigeria

Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon are common opportunistic pathogens in HIV+ patients in developing countries, especially those do not have access to antiretroviral therapy. To determine the distribution of genotypes/subtypes of Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, faecal specimens were collected from 132 HIV+ persons attending a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. By polymerase chain reaction, eight and ten patients were identified as positive for Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi, respectively. Seven of the Cryptosporidium specimens were identified as C. hominis, while the remaining one as the new species C. viatorum recently identified in the United Kingdom. DNA sequencing of the 60‐kDa glycoprotein gene showed that the C. hominis belonged to three common subtype families: Ia (in three patients), Ib (in one patient) and Ie (in one patient). In contrast, DNA sequencing of the E. bieneusi internal transcribed spacer products showed the occurrence of genotypes associated with both humans (Peru 8 in one patient, Nig2 in two patients and a new genotype in one patient) and animals (D in one patient and Type IV in five patients). Low CD4+ cell count was identified as a risk factor for both cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis.     

Incidence of abortion and association with putative causes in dairy herds in New Zealand

AIM: To estimate the distribution and causes of abortion in dairy herds across New Zealand during the 2001/2002 breeding season.

METHODS: A questionnaire survey was sent to all veterinary practices that employed members of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. Veterinarians were requested to record the numbers of dairy herds serviced by their practice in which the rate of aborting cows was zero (0%), low (1–5%) and high (6–10% and >10%), and all laboratory submissions, specimens, tests and results related to their investigation of abortions in these herds, for each category.

RESULTS: Forty-two large animal practices serving 1,431 dairy clients from all except one region in New Zealand responded. The within-herd incidence of abortion was zero in 497 herds (34.7%), low in 876 herds (61.2%), and high in 58 herds (4.1%) in the season 2001/2002. Within the high category, 0.6% herds reported abortions at a frequency as high as may be expected in epidemic abortions (>10%). Compared to other regions, the abortion incidences tended to be relatively high in Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, and low in Hawke Bay, Waikato and Nelson (p<0.001). Cases were submitted for laboratory investigation from 51/934 (5.5%) herds. Even though submission rates increased with the level of abortion, most submissions originated from herds with a low abortion rate. The main agents identified among submissions as the cause of abortion were Neospora caninum (Nc) (35%) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) (16%). Among 39 submissions from low abortion herds, 33% were suspected due to Nc and 15% to BVDV, and this was not statistically different (p>0.10) from the distribution in 13 submissions from high abortion herds (46% Nc, 23% BVDV). While cases associated with Nc were submitted in April, May and June, submissions for suspected BVDV spread evenly over the months of March to July.

CONCLUSION: In the 2001/2002 season, approximately 4% of dairy herds in New Zealand recorded a relatively high incidence of abortion (>5%) and 0.6% herds experienced an incidence of >10%. BVDV and Nc were the most frequently diagnosed agents associated with abortion, regardless of whether the seasonal incidence of abortion within a herd was low or high.     

Laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract diseases of dogs and cats

An increasing number of laboratory tests are available for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract diseases in dogs and cats. Use of these tests can lead to more accurate and rapid diagnoses. This review discusses laboratory tests, both new and old, and the role they currently play in the evaluation of animals presented with gastrointestinal problems. A minimum database helps assess the severity of the disorder, detect extra-gastrointestinal causes of problems and assists in formulating diagnostic and therapeutic plans.

Faecal examination remains one of the most important diagnostic procedures in the investigation of gastrointestinal problems. Zinc sulphate faecal flotation is an excellent routine screening technique for helminth and protozoal infections, including giardiasis. Rectal cytology can assist in the diagnosis of large bowel disorders. Interpretation of faecal immunodiagnostic tests is hampered by insufficient knowledge of test sensitivities and specificities. Routine faecal cultures are not warranted and faecal occult blood tests are rarely indicated.

Serum tests for gastric inflammation are now under development. The serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity test remains the gold standard technique for the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Breath hydrogen tests can be helpful in assessing the functional relevance of mild abnormalities in small-bowel biopsy specimens. Subnormal concentrations of serum cobalamin appear to be more specific indicators of gastrointestinal disease in cats than in dogs. Tests for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth remain controversial and assessment of gastrointestinal permeability has yet to prove its value in the diagnostic assessment of companion animals with gastrointestinal problems. Faecal alpha₁-protease inhibitor (α₁-PI) shows promise for the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy.     

The effect of feeding system at weaning on performance,health and feeding behaviour of pigs of different sizes

Abstract

Pigs weaned at 31 to 34 days of age (n=280) were mixed into groups of 10 and fed from either feeders (2 feeding places per pen) or troughs (10 feeding places per pen). Analyses on performance, diarrhoea scores and feeding behaviour were made separately on small-, medium- and large-sized pigs, defined as their relative size in the group. During the second week after weaning, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower for pigs fed from feeders. Trough feeding resulted in lower total diarrhoea scores for small (p=0.002) and large (p=0.04), and higher scores for medium pigs (p=0.03). Small pigs had lower scores on individual days around the peak on day 6. All three size categories of pigs spent a numerically higher amount of time feeding when fed from a trough. Feeding bouts were longer in pigs fed from a trough (p=0.0002 – 0.05).     

Gastrointestinal health and function in weaned pigs: a review of feeding strategies to control post‐weaning diarrhoea without using in‐feed antimicrobial compounds

For the last several decades, antimicrobial compounds have been used to promote piglet growth at weaning through the prevention of subclinical and clinical disease. There are, however, increasing concerns in relation to the development of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains and the potential of these and associated resistance genes to impact on human health. As a consequence, European Union (EU) banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in swine and livestock production on 1 January 2006. Furthermore, minerals such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are not feasible alternatives/replacements to antibiotics because their excretion is a possible threat to the environment. Consequently, there is a need to develop feeding programs to serve as a means for controlling problems associated with the weaning transition without using antimicrobial compounds. This review, therefore, is focused on some of nutritional strategies that are known to improve structure and function of gastrointestinal tract and (or) promote post‐weaning growth with special emphasis on probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, trace minerals and dietary protein source and level.