Aerosol infection of calves and mice with Salmonella typhimurium.

In a study of the epizootiology and prevalence of enteropathogens which may be involved in neonatal calf diarrhoea, 10 in-calf cows from a herd with a history of rotavirus-induced calf diarrhoea were monitored over a period of six to seven months. All the cows excreted rotavirus intermittently without showing any clinical signs, and 21.8 per cent of faecal samples contained rotavirus. Reoviruses were isolated from 87 per cent of the samples from the cows, and from all the 10 calves born to them. However, rotavirus was detected in only one calf, and diarrhoea developed only in this calf even though the calves were housed in communal pens. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from six of the 10 dams and from five of the 10 calves, not including the calf with diarrhoea. Other potential enteropathogens such as cryptosporidium, salmonella, Clostridium difficile, coronavirus and other viruses were not found, but two cows and two calves shed enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial profile of Salmonella in 102 beef, 384 stool and 107 calf faecal samples. The beef samples were collected from 34 randomly selected supermarkets in Addis Ababa, stool samples were collected from Bishoftu General Hospital and calf faecal samples were from randomly selected dairy farms in Bishoftu. Of the total 102 minced beef, 384 stool and 107 faecal samples examined, 9.8, 3.4 and 1.9%, respectively, were positive for Salmonella. Twenty-five Salmonella isolates comprising of 14 different serotypes were identified. Among the different serotypes, S. Typhimurium was predominant (28%) followed by S. Uganda (20%) and S. Bovismorbificans (8%). The other serotypes identified were S. Anatum, S. Blockley, S. Braenderup, S. Enteritidis, S. Hadar, S. Havana, S. Livingstone, S. Mikawasima, S. Muenchen, S. Saintpaul and S. Typhimurium var. Copenhagen totally comprising 44%. Salmonella Mikawasima was reported for the first time in Ethiopia. Assay of antimicrobial resistance revealed that 20% of the isolates were resistant to three or more of the 24 antimicrobials checked. Resistance to 15 antimicrobials was recognized. The most common resistance was to nitrofurantion, streptomycin and tetracycline. Most of the antimicrobial resistant Salmonella isolates were from the meat samples. Result of the present study indicate that Salmonella isolates are diverse in serotype with significant antimicrobial resistance in the samples tested which could be potential sources of drug resistant Salmonella infections. Key words: Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, calf, Ethiopia, human, minced beef, Salmonella.

Two oral rehydration solutions (ORS 1 and ORS 2) were evaluated in isolated intestinal loops of anaesthetised calves, in an experimental model of dehydration in the calf, in calves with experimentally induced diarrhoea and in 164 calves with clinical diarrhoea. The studies in isolated intestinal loops indicated that water absorption was significantly greater from ORS 2 than from ORS 1. After the intraperitoneal administration of hypertonic mannitol combined with intravenous diuretics, the plasma volume of calves was reduced by about 30 per cent, and was more rapidly expanded after treatment with ORS 2 than ORS 1. The plasma volume remained significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) three hours after dosing with ORS 1 whereas after treatment with ORS 2 it was not significantly different from the initial value. Acidosis was corrected to a significantly (P less than 0.01) greater extent after treatment with ORS 2, and peripheral perfusion also returned to normal more rapidly in calves given ORS 2. In newly purchased calves in which diarrhoea was induced experimentally with an E coli challenge, base deficit and diarrhoea were corrected more rapidly in the calves receiving ORS 2. When the solutions were tested in the treatment of 164 clinical cases of diarrhoea and dehydration there was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the formulations, although the overall mortality was 4.8 per cent in the calves treated with ORS 2, compared with 8.6 per cent in the calves treated with ORS 1. It was concluded that ORS 2 performed better than ORS 1 especially in the expansion of plasma volume and the correction of acidosis.

Three outbreaks of calf enteritis were investigated. Salmonella typhi-murium was isolated from two of them, and a Salmonella of group E 1 from the third. In no instance was S. dublin found; pending further investigation, therefore, the suggestion is made that calves and pregnant cows should be immunized with vaccine prepared from the isolates of each outbreak, as commercial or other vac­cines prepared from S. dublin are likely to be of little value

Calf mortality and parasitism in periurban livestock production in Mali

The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was first used to evaluate human beings and later it was adapted to be used in production animals, especially dairy cows. The efficiency of this index is not known for dairy calves, especially the crossbred ones. The aim of this study was to compare different equations of temperature-humidity index as heat stress indicator in crossbred dairy calves in tropical environment. Twenty-seven crossbred dairy calves, males and females, housed in Argentine model’s calf, were evaluated to respiratory rate, rectal temperature and surface body temperature on 2nd, 15th, 30th and 60th days of live, totalizing 108 observations. The environment was evaluated at the moment of each animal data collection and the dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature were recorded, and used to estimate relative humidity, partial air vapour pressure and dew point temperature. Nine different equations of temperature-humidity index were calculated. ANOVA followed by Tukey test of mean comparison with 5% of significance and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using the Action program. Respiratory rate, rectal temperature and surface body temperature did not differ between the ages. Only in 4.62% of the observations calves had a respiratory rate between 60 to 80 movements per minute, which represents a moderate heat stress, and in 5% of the observations calves had a rectal temperature above 39.5 °C, indicating that they were not able to maintain homeothermy. In 25% of the observations presented smaller gradients between surface body temperature and environmental temperature, indicating that in 75% of observations the convective heat loss was favored. The average temperature (21 °C) was near the maximum temperature recommended to dairy calves of European origin, which ranges of 5 °C to 20 °C, but the thermal comfort temperature is not known for crossbred dairy calves in a tropical environment. The majority mean values of THI indicated a comfort situation. The correlation of dry bulb temperature and the physiological parameters was positive and significant. The respiratory rate and surface body temperature had a significant and positive correlation with the temperature humidity indexes. The correlations of physiological data with THI sensible heat-based were higher than the others. The THI sensible heat-based is the equation that better represents the comfort situation of crossbred dairy calves in a tropical environment.

The lipid and HDL cholesterol levels are higher in the buffalo calves than that in the cow calves of the same age. This is due to lesser utilization of lipid substrates during the first week of post-natal life by the buffalo calves in comparison to that by the cow calves. Hyperlipidemia in the calves might be the result of hypothyroidism in neonatal calves. Poor utilization of lipids might be the triggering element for hypothermia in these neonatal buffalo calves. Exogenous supplementation of thyroxine will help in the maintenance of BMR of calves due to its calorigenic effects by uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation process. Therefore, elevated body temperature will lead to sustenance of calves during initial two months of age. The total erythrocyte count (TEC) recorded was higher and it decreased significantly (P<0.05) in thyroxine supplemented buffalo calves and cow calves. In early age, the total leukocytes count (TLC) of thyroxine supplemented buffalo calves and cow calves decreased in comparison to control group. The biochemical parameters such as serum glucose and serum triglycerides increased significantly (P<0.05) whereas, serum protein and cholesterol level was decreased in thyroxine supplemented buffalo calves and cow calves as compared to buffalo calves and cow calves, respectively. The HDL cholesterol did not differ significantly in treatment groups as compared to control group. Mobilisation of lipids and HDL cholesterol of buffalo calves has produced heat to maintain homeostasis in buffalo calves. The increased thyroxine level in thyroxine supplemented buffalo calves helped to maintain their body temperature and increased basal metabolic rate, thus helped in the reduction of calf mortality. Keywords: thyroxine, buffalo calves, cow calves, lipid, basal metabolic rate

The animal most frequently requiring operation for dystocia in this survey of 133 cases was the Friesian/Holstein heifer. In 38 per cent of cases the reason for surgery was an oversized calf and in 84 per cent the operation was performed on the farm of origin. The majority of the dams were operated on while standing, using a left flank incision, and under paravertebral or field infiltration with local anaesthetic solution. Exteriorisation of the uterus did not appear to be essential except when the calf was dead. Ninety-five per cent of the calves alive in utero and 91 per cent of the dams survived, although 30 per cent of the dams suffered ill-health afterwards. In nine cases neither dam nor calf survived. The fertility indices of those which were rebred were not markedly affected, but milk production was reduced by an estimated 12 per cent of the potential yield.

The effect of twinning on the subsequent health, production and reproductive performance of dairy cattle was studied by analysing the data derived from 19,755 calvings which occurred during three years on 37 farms. The data formed part of the database of a veterinary practice operating the DAISY dairy cow recording scheme for its dairy farmer clients. The average twinning rate was 2.5 per cent. For first calf heifers the rate was 0.9 per cent, and the rate increased with increasing parity to over 5 per cent for cows calving for their sixth and subsequent lactations. Although they produced more milk than their contemporaries, twin-bearing cows suffered an increased incidence of retained placenta and vulval discharges and their calving to conception interval was extended by 33 days. Furthermore, 35 per cent of these cows were culled compared with 21 per cent of their contemporaries. The benefit of having more calves for sale was reduced owing to 15 per cent of them being born dead. It is calculated that producing twins resulted in an average loss of income of 74 pounds/cow, a deficit of 15 per cent compared with cows having single calves.

Summary In the period from June 1965 to December 1966 250 randomly selected calves were examined for salmonellae in each of four slaughterhouses. Salmonellae were isolated from 227 (22.7 %) out of a total of 1000 animals examined. The distribution over the four slaughterhouses was, respectively, 10 (4.0 %), 79 (31.6 %), 37 (14.8 %) and 101 (40.1 %). The Salmonella strains isolated belonged to 16 different serological types. S. typhi murium was found most frequently and represented 51.8% of the strains isolated. It may be concluded that slaughter of Salmonella-excreting calves (positive faeces and/or hair) causes carcass contamination. Such contamination was found in 31 animals (3.1 %). When the results of the present investigation were compared with those obtained in 1962/63 it appeared that the number of animals infected with Salmonella was similar in both investigations. Zusammenfassung Salmonella-Infektionen bei Mastkalbern nach dem Schlachten In der Zeit vom Juni 1965 bis Dezember 1966 wurden insgesamt 250 wahllos ausgesuchte Kalber in vier Schlachthofen auf Salmonellen untersucht. Aus 227 (22,7%) von insgesamt 1000 untersuchten Tieren wurden Salmonellen isoliert. Die Verteilung in den 4 Schlachthofen war jeweils 10 (4,0%), 79 (31,6%), 37 (14,8%) und 101 (40,1 %). Die isolierten Salmonella-Stamme gehorten 16 verschiedenen Serotypen an. Salmonella typhimurium war mit 51,8 % der am haufigsten isolierte Stamm. Aus den Untersuchungsergebnissen kann geschlossen werden, das durch die Schlachtung Salmonellen-ausscheidende Kalber (positiv Kot und/oder Haare) die Kontamination von Tierkorpern verursacht wird. Solche Infektionen wurden bei 31 Tieren (3,1 %) gefunden. Wenn man die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchungen mit denen von 1962/63 vergleicht, wird deutlich, das die Zahl der mit Salmonellen infizierten Tiere in beiden Untersuchungen ahnlich war. Resume Salmonellose chez des veaux d'engraissement apres l'abattage Entre juin 1965 et decembre 1966, on prend au hasard 250 veaux dans quatre abattoirs et on les examine quant a la presence de salmonelles. On isole des salmonelles chez 227 sur 1000 animaux examines (22,7%). La repartition dans les quatre abattoirs est de resp. 10 (4,0%), 79 (31,6%), 37 (14,8 %) et 101 (40,1 %). Les souches de salmonelles isolees appartiennent a 16 serotypes differents. La souche la plus frequemment isolee est Salmonella typhi-murium (51,8 %). On peut deduire des resultats des analyses que l'on provoque la contamination du corps des animaux par l'abattage de veaux excreteurs de salmonelles (matieres fecales et/ou poils). On trouve de telles infections chez 31 animaux (3,1 %). Si l'on compare les resultats obtenus avec ceux de 1962/63, il apparait clairement que dans les deux series d'analyses le nombre des animaux infectes par des salmonelles est semblable. Resumen Infeccion salmonelosica en terneros de engorde tras el faenamiento Durante el tiempo comprendido entre Junio de 1965 y Diciembre de 1966 se examino un total de 250 terneros, elegidos al azar en cuatro mataderos, con respecto a la presencia de salmonelas. En 227 (22,7%) animales de un total de 1000 examinados se aislaron salmonelas. La distribucion en los 4 mataderos era como sigue: 10 (4,0%), 79 (31,6%), 37 (14,8%) y 101 (40,1%). Las estirpes Salmonella aisladas pertenecian a 16 serotipos diferentes. Salmonella typhi-murium era con 51,8 % la cepa aislada con frecuencia mayor. De los resultados de las pesquisas se puede derivar que la contaminacion de las canales es originada por la matanza de terneros portadores de salmonelas (positivo el estiercol y/o los pelos). Infecciones semejantes se encontraron en 31 animales (3,1 %). Comparando los resultados de estos examenes con los de 1962/63, se aprecia con claridad que en ambas experiencias era parecido el numero de los animales infectados con salmonelas.

Summary In the period from April 1968 to May 1969 6,837 faeces samples from 20 farms were examined for Salmonella. From 49 (0.7%) samples, coming from 44 (3.2%) calves, Salmonellae were isolated. Of the Salmonella-strains isolated 95.9% belonged to S. typhi murium and S. dublin. The percentages of positive calves from farms sending calves to one slaughterhouse and from farms sending calves to a second were 1.1% and 6.6%, respectively. Differences between the percentages of infected calves in different slaughterhouses may therefore be related to differences in the degree of infection of calves coming from various regions. Zusammenfassung Salmonellainfektion in Mastkalbern auf Farmen Von April 1968 bis Mai 1969 wurden 6837 Kotproben aus 20 Bestanden auf Salmonellen untersucht. Aus 49 (0,7%) Proben, die von 44 (3,2%) Kalbern stammten, wurden Salmonellen isoliert. Von den isolierten Salmonellen gehorten 95,9% zu den Arten S. typhi murium und S. dublin. Der Prozentsatz positiver Kalber, die aus mehreren Bestanden an zwei verschiedene Schlachthofe geliefert wurden, betrug 1,1% bzw. 6,6%. Die Unterschiede im Auftreten infizierter Kalber an verschiedenen Schlachthofen beruhen auf dem unterschiedlichen Infektionsgrad der verschiedenen Regionen. Resume Salmonellose chez veaux a l'engrais. D'avril 1968 a mai 1969, on a examine 6837 echantillons fecaux provenant de 20 exploitations, quant a la presence de salmonelles. On isole des salmonelles dans 49 echantillons (9,7%) provenant de 44 veaux (3,2%). Parmi les salmonelles isolees, 95,9% appartenaient aux especes S. typhi murium et S. Dublin. Le pourcentage des veaux positifs, provenant de plusieurs exploitations et livres a deux abattoirs differents, est de 1,1%, resp. 6,6%. Ces differences dans le pourcentage des veaux infectes livres aux differents abattoirs sont dues au degre d'infection variable dans les differentes regions. Resumen Infecciones salmonelosicas en terneros de engorde en explotaciones Desde Abril 1968 hasta Mayo de 1969 se examinaron 6837 muestras de heces de 20 explotaciones en cuanto a la presencia de salmonelas. De 49 muestras (0,7%), procedentes de 44 terneros (3,2%) se aislaron salmonelas. De las salmonelas aisladas pertenecian el 95,9% a las especiens S. typhimurium y S. dublin. El porcentaje de terneros positivos, que fueron enviados por varias explotaciones a dos mataderos diferentes, ascendia a 1,1% y 6,6 %, resp. Las diferencias en la presentacion de terneros infectados en los distintos mataderos se deben a los grados diferentes de infeccion en las regiones correspondientes.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella is a prevalent foodborne pathogen in Taiwan. A national Salmonella reference laboratory was established in 2004 in Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, for performing serotyping, PFGE genotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for isolates collected from hospitals across the country to investigate the epidemiological trend and to build a Salmonella fingerprint database for disease surveillance. In 2004-2013, a total of 20,370 Salmonella isolates were characterized. The isolates belonged to 100 serovars and Enteritidis (accounting for 28.1%), Typhimurium (23.8%), Stanley (7.8%), Newport (6.8%), and Albany (3.7%) were the first 5 most commonly isolated serovars. The profile of serovar distribution suggested that human salmonellosis in Taiwan was caused by Salmonella from numerous host reservoirs. A total of 3,087 PFGE patterns were identified in the 20,370 isolates. A database with the PFGE patterns is an important information platform for the use in predicting Salmonella serotypes, tracing back animal reservoirs of Salmonella strains (multidrug resistant Salmonella strains in particular), performing real-time disease surveillance, and investigating domestic and international foodborne salmonellosis outbreaks. Source management is the most effective control measure for foodborne diseases. For the control of salmonellosis, the Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, and Bureau of Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine have to work together on the disease surveillance and elimination of Salmonella contamination in food and agricultural products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of supplementation of β-mannanase (CTCZYME ⓡ , CTCBIO, Inc.) on feed intake, growth performance and fecal health of calves fed two levels (3% vs. 8%) of palm kernel meal (PKM). A total of nine Holstein calves were divided into three groups, and fed a conventional starter containing 3% PKM (CON), CON+ 0.1% CTCZYME ⓡ (TRT1), or a starter containing 8% PKM+ 0.1% CTCZYME ⓡ (TRT2). No clinical symptom of calves was observed through the trial. We did not find significant differences among the treatments on mean feed intake, growth performance, or fecal health during the four-week experimental period. Feed efficiency tended to be improved by adding CTCZYME ⓡ (0.46, 0.87 and 0.52 for CON, TRT1 and TRT2, respectively). Compared with CON (921 g/d and 786 g/d), TRT2 had lower feed intake (727 g/d) and average daily gain (ADG, 631 g/d) before weaning. However, feed intake (2300 g/d) and ADG (1012 g/d) were similar or even higher in TRT2 than CON (2269 g/d and 560 g/d) after weaning. This was probably due to the effect of a large amount of mannan-oligosaccharide released from PKM by β-mannanase. Salmonella was not detected any fecal samples. No significant difference was observed in the number of fecal E. coli or fecal properties including color, smell, and watery indexes among the treatments. We conclude that a calf starter containing 8% PKM with 0.1% CTCZYME ⓡ is comparable with a conventional starter in feed intake and growth performance of calf, which is beneficial in terms of reduction in feed cost.

Integrated cattle and dryland farming systems in Indonesia use a range of crop residues and by‐ products to feed cattle through intensive and extensive production systems. Intensive systems use stalls to house cattle and cut‐and‐carry feeding systems, primarily for fattening cattle. Under extensive systems, cattle are free‐grazing. Extensive systems apply only where greater land areas exist and they are used for breeding and fattening cattle. The best strategies for smallholder farmers in Indonesia to improve beef production require farmers to focus on profitability and use proven management strategies, including: using adapted cattle breeds resistant/tolerant to environmental stressors (e.g. parasites, diseases, high temperatures and humidity, poor nutrition) and are inherently more productive than poorly adapted breeds; understand what the markets want and manage cattle to meet market specifications; manage cattle breeding herds based on long‐term average rainfall patterns, aiming to wean a calf from every cow joined within one calendar year. This means: (a) joining cows over the rainy season, so calves are born at the start of the next rainy season; (b) weaning calves before the dry season so cows are not lactating over the dry period; (c) maintaining cows at a body condition score of 3 (on a 1‐5 scale) throughout the year; and d) culling/selling all cows that fail to rear a calf 2 years in succession; keeping good records on all aspects of breeding and fattening activities and using those records for decision‐making; and adjusting stocking rates in extensive systems to match the carrying capacity of the land.

Introduction: Apart from its economic impact, calf mortality is an important welfare indicator in beef calf farms. Objectives: Evaluate mortality rates in calves born from two indigenous cattle breeds dams in the Portalegre district. Methods: Records of births and deaths between birth and 180 days of calves born from Alentejana and Mertolenga dams in Portalegre district, from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018, were obtained from the national database. Mortality rates were calculated and the association between mortality period and age of the dam was evaluated. Results: Calves born from Alentejana and Mertolenga cows represented 11.6% and 2.9% of cattle births in the Portalegre district during this period, with a decrease in the number of births during the three considered years, more noticeable in the Alentejana breed. The average mortality rate was 3.2% for calves born from Alentejana dams and 2.3% for calves born from Mertolenga dams. The average age of dams was 8.68 and 7.37 years, for Alentejana and Mertolenga dams respectively. Perinatal death (from birth to 48 h) occurred in calves born from older cows (p=0.024). Conclusions: Mortality rates of calves born from the two studied indigenous breeds are low to moderate when compared to rates reported in other breeds.