Bovine Foot Research Articles

Coping With Adversity: The Turn to the Rhetoric of Vulnerability

The focus of this study is the normalization of the state of vulnerability as the default response to an emergency in rural Britain in the late 20th century. It explores the construction of the phenomenon of rural stress during the bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot and mouth disease outbreaks. It argues that during this period the image of the British farmer as a self-sufficient resilient individual was challenged and transformed into one requiring help and professional support. This shift is paralleled by a reorientation of the cultural script from an emphasis on community solidarity to that of individual distress. The cultural significance of these changes and their implications for understanding the human response to an emergency is discussed.

A Veterinary Twist on Pathogen Biology

The recent epidemics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot and mouth disease, and avian influenza have focused the attention of the general public and scientific community on veterinary pathogens. Studies on naturally occurring infectious diseases of domestic animals, although perceived to be mostly relevant for animal health, have often unveiled new paradigms on the biology of infectious agents, inspired the identification of novel human pathogens, and occasionally launched entire new disciplines. This article aims to provide some examples that illustrate how veterinary diseases (focusing on viral diseases in particular) have provided novel comparative and biological platforms (Figure 1).

Tuberculosis in humans and animals: are we a threat to each other?

Tuberculosis in humans and animals: are we a threat to each other?

Survival of Commercial Dairy Cows after Digit Amputation or Arthrodesis Surgery

Common digit diseases, such as sole ulcers, sole abscesses, foot rot and white line disease may become complicated by extensive corium and laminae tissue necrosis, leading to deep sepsis of the digit. Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint constitutes 3 to 10% of all hoof conditions. Deep infection of the digit causes severe lameness and, in herds with high incidence oflameness, economic losses from this condition may be significant. Digit amputation is the standard treatment for deep sepsis of the bovine foot in the field. It is reported that cows that had digit amputation were retained in the herd for an average of 13 months, while cows that had arthrodesis surgery were retained for an average of 18 months. However, there were no control cows in those studies with which to compare the survival time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of digit amputation and arthrodesis surgery on survival.

Ann Veneman: getting UNICEF back to basics

Ann M Veneman a farmers daughter who was the first female US Agriculture Secretary and is now Executive Director of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has made child mortality public enemy number one for the agency which had broadened its agenda under former head Carol Bellamy. Under Veneman UNICEF is returning to an earlier mission of tackling diseases such as pneumonia diarrhoea and malaria that together with other factors claim the lives of 10.5 million children each year. The attainment of Millennium Development Goal 4--to reduce under-5 child mortality by two-thirds by 2015--is a key part of this strategy said Veneman. "In order to do that we really have to figure out what works and how to measure the results" she told The Lancet. Veneman cited the example of Ghana which is benefiting from the Accelerated Child Survival and Development programme that aims to strengthen community-based health systems and implement cheap evidence-based health and nutrition measures. Initial surveys indicate that child mortality has been cut by up to 50% in a region where this programme was implemented whereas in other regions rates have stagnated or even increased. "Its not just getting immunisation to kids its getting the mother good nutrition early on its being sure that the children then get the nutrition as well as the immunisation its making sure you get clean water" she commented. (excerpt)

The Effect of Digit Amputation or Arthrodesis Surgery on Culling and Milk Production in Holstein Dairy Cows

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of digit amputation and arthrodesis surgery performed in the field on culling and milk production during the early postsurgical period. Cows from 3 commercial dairy farms in New York State were recruited for the study. A total of 49 cows on which digit amputation (AMP) was performed were matched with 68 controls (MC-AMP), and 17 cows on which arthrodesis surgery (ARTHRO) was performed were matched with 20 controls (MC-ARTHRO) according to lactation, DIM, and lactation at the time of surgery. Performance was not directly comparable between the AMP and ARTHRO groups because cows were not randomly assigned to the 2 treatment groups. Therefore, each surgical group was evaluated relative to its respective matched control group. Cows with AMP had a significantly lower estimated median survival of 68 d (95% confidence interval; lower = 35 d, upper = 156 d) compared with 585 d (95% confidence interval; lower = 469 d, upper = 699 d) for the MC-AMP group. Total milk production for the first 60 d postsurgery was significantly lower for the AMP (1,533±SE = 101kg) group compared with the MC-AMP (2,121±101kg) group and for the ARTHRO (1,883±86kg) group compared with the MC-ARTHRO (2,250±88kg) group. Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint was the most common condition treated by surgery, accounting for 70.5% of ARTHRO cases and 73.5% for AMP. Toe necrosis accounted for 14.3% of AMP cases, and retroarticular abscess made up the rest of the AMP (12.2%) cases and 29.5% of the ARTHRO cases. Results suggest that cows that had undergone ARTHRO had a lower culling rate and a faster return to production compared with those that had undergone AMP. Arthrodesis should be considered as a treatment option for deep sepsis of the bovine foot.

Spirochaetes and other bacterial species associated with bovine digital dermatitis

The 16S rRNA genes from spirochaetes associated with digital dermatitis of British cattle were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from digital dermatitis lesion biopsies using one universal and one treponeme-specific primer. Two treponemal sequences were identified both of which shared a high degree of homology with the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (98%). Two further 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and shared similarity to Bacteroides levii (99%) and Mycoplasma hyopharyngis (98%). Polymerase chain reaction with T. denticola-specific primers amplified a potential virulence gene from digital dermatitis lesions which shared a high degree of homology to the 46-kDa haemolysin gene of T. denticola. The significance of the presence of organisms in digital dermatitis lesions of the bovine foot which are closely related to oral pathogens is discussed.

Assessment of the effect of functional trimming on the dynamic pressure distribution under the bovine foot during walk

Assessment of the effect of functional trimming on the dynamic pressure distribution under the bovine foot during walk

Immunomodulatory effect of various anti-parasitics: a review

This paper reviews the immunomodulatory effects (immunosuppression or immunoactivation) of various anthelmintics including levamisole, fenvalerate, dieldrin, carbofuran, aminocarb, thiabendazole, fenbendazole, oxfendazole and ivermectin. The induced modulation of immune function may occur via direct and/or indirect mechanisms. The immunomodulatory effects of these anti-parasitics have been studied in a variety of bacterial (e.g. brucellosis, salmonellosis, paratuberculosis, mastitis), viral (e.g. infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, Herpes, foot and mouth disease), parasitic (e.g. onchocerciasis, coccidiosis, ascariasis, schistosomiasis) and neoplastic diseases. Some antiparasitics have also been used to boost immunity in a number of human diseases including leprosy, Hodgkin's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and in adjuvanted therapy of colorectal cancer. The ability to stimulate the immune response of animals offers a new means of disease intervention. Future research on immunomodulatory effects of anti-parasitics, for humans and domestic farm animals, will provide additional methods of treating immunosuppressed subjects. The immunopotentiating or immunosuppressing activity of anti-parasitics will dictate whether co-administration of vaccines and anthelmintics or administration of vaccines during the window of immunoactivation is justified or not.

Fusobacterium necrophorum infections in animals: Pathogenesis and pathogenic mechanisms

Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming anaerobe, is a normal inhabitant of the alimentary tract of animals and humans. Two subspecies of F. necrophorum, subsp. necrophorum (biotype A) and subsp. funduliforme (biotype B), have been recognized, that differ morphologically, biochemically, and biologically. The subsp. necrophorum is more virulent and is isolated more frequently from infections than the subsp. funduliforme. The organism is an opportunistic pathogen that causes numerous necrotic conditions (necrobacillosis), either specific or non-specific infections, in a variety of animals. Of these, bovine liver abscesses and foot rot are of significant concern to the cattle industry. Liver abscesses arise with the organisms that inhabit the rumen gaining entry into the portal circulation, and are often secondary to ruminal acidosis and rumenitis complex in grain-fed cattle. Foot rot is the major cause of lameness in dairy and beef cattle. The pathogenic mechanism of F. necrophorum is complex and not well defined. Several toxins or secreted products, such as leukotoxin, endotoxin, hemolysin, hemagglutinin, proteases, and adhesin, etc., have been implicated as virulence factors. The major virulence factor appears to be leukotoxin, a secreted protein of high molecular weight, active specifically against leukocytes from ruminants. The complete nucleotide sequence of the leukotoxin operon of F. necrophorum has been determined. The operon consists of three genes ( lktBAC) of which the second gene ( lktA) is the leukotoxin structural gene. The leukotoxin appears to be a novel protein and does not share sequence similarity with any other leukotoxin. F. necrophorum is also a human pathogen and the human strains appear to be different from the strains involved in animal infections.

GM plants for your health

When will agricultural biotechnologies, such as genetically modified (GM) crops, reach Europe? This was the main question at the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC)—the largest of its kind—that took place in September this year in Cologne, Germany. Given that the ABIC was accompanied by a parallel conference organized by critics of GM crops and foods, this is an appropriate question. Most of the European Union (EU) member states have not yet approved the GM crops that are used widely and safely elsewhere in the world. Moreover, although the EU has finally lifted its moratorium on GM crops, and has passed new regulations for growing and marketing GM foods, national politics, legislation and ideological views about consumer and environmental protection have further hampered their use. European consumers remain wary of agricultural biotechnology and its products, as they do not see any direct benefits from GM crops and are, therefore, understandably reluctant to accept them. But it is only a matter of time before GM foods arrive on supermarket shelves across Europe, predicts Ashley O'Sullivan, President and CEO of Ag‐West Bio Inc. (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada). “The reality for legislation to regulate agricultural biotechnology is that the train has left the station and there is no way of going back,” he added. > …to convince the cautious European public, agricultural biotechnology still has to […] offer products that directly benefit consumers But to convince the cautious European public, agricultural biotechnology still has to show that it can do more than increase the returns to farmers, and offer products that directly benefit consumers. The next wave of GM plants, which are currently being developed and tested in academic and industry laboratories around the world, including Europe, may soon do this. A range of new GM crops in the research pipeline will offer direct benefits to …

The Relationship Between Sociodemographics and Concern About Food Safety Issues

This study reviews the relationship between sociodemographic variables and food safety, and assesses how sociodemographic variables relate to three different food hazards in the food chain—pesticides, Salmonella, and fat. Our results revealed that women and blacks were more likely to have high levels of concern about food safety than were men and whites. Also, the level of concern increased with age. A respondent's percived vulnerability to that risk may explain differences across risks.

Optimising Milk Composition

During recent decades, the UK dairy industry has had to adjust to the introduction of milk quotas in 1984, the deregulation of milk markets in 1994, and accommodate changes in the demand for dairy products. The combination of these factors, in addition to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Foot and Mouth disease, and a fall in milk price has inevitably resulted in a restructuring of the industry, but also reinforced the need for all sectors of the industry to respond to the prevailing economic climate and changes in consumer preferences.

Genetic relatedness and phenotypic characteristics of Treponema associated with human periodontal tissues and ruminant foot disease.

Treponema have been implicated recently in the pathogenesis of digital dermatitis (DD) and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) that are infectious diseases of bovine and ovine foot tissues, respectively. Previous analyses of treponemal 16S rDNA sequences, PCR-amplified directly from DD or CODD lesions, have suggested relatedness of animal Treponema to some human oral Treponema species isolated from periodontal tissues. In this study a range of adhesion and virulence-related properties of three animal Treponema isolates have been compared with representative human oral strains of Treponema denticola and Treponema vincentii. In adhesion assays using biotinylated treponemal cells, T. denticola cells bound in consistently higher numbers to fibronectin, laminin, collagen type I, gelatin, keratin and lactoferrin than did T. vincentii or animal Treponema isolates. However, animal DD strains adhered to fibrinogen at equivalent or greater levels than T. denticola. All Treponema strains bound to the amino-terminal heparin I/fibrin I domain of fibronectin. 16S rDNA sequence analyses placed ovine strain UB1090 and bovine strain UB1467 within a cluster that was phylogenetically related to T. vincentii, while ovine strain UB1466 appeared more closely related to T. denticola. These observations correlated with phenotypic properties. Thus, T. denticola ATCC 35405, GM-1, and Treponema UB1466 had similar outer-membrane protein profiles, produced chymotrypsin-like protease (CTLP), trypsin-like protease and high levels of proline iminopeptidase, and co-aggregated with human oral bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus crista. Conversely, T. vincentii ATCC 35580, D2A-2, and animal strains UB1090 and UB1467 did not express CTLP or trypsin-like protease and did not co-aggregate with P. gingivalis or S. crista. Taken collectively, these results suggest that human oral-related Treponema have broad host specificity and that similar control or preventive strategies might be developed for human and animal Treponema-associated infections.

Hemodynamics in the Normal and Laminitic Bovine Digit

Bovine laminitis is of great economic importance to the dairy and beef industry. Lameness from laminitis and its sequella results in loss of milk production, decreased weight gain, culling of animals and extra labor. Similar to horses, the digital pathology is thought to occur due to vascular derangements in the digital microvasculature leading to ischemia in the digital laminae. Digital hemodynamics in the horse have been well documented. Although most literature describing bovine laminitis is based on clinical cases or extrapolations from equine laminitis research, the bovid undergoes a different clinical course of disease, with a more mild chronic laminitis process being more common than the acute disease process routinely observed at the onset of equine laminitis. Therefore, hemodynamic data specific to the normal laminitic bovine foot is needed. The present study compared digital hemodynamics between normal and laminitic steers in early stages of laminitis.

Possibility of amino acid nutrition in broiler

ABSTRACTThe consumption of poultry meats exceeds 50% of total meat consumption. With the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and foot and mouth disease, the consumption of poultry meat is set to increase. The use of meat bone meal derived from cattle and pigs is prohibited. Therefore, plant protein has to be used more frequently and the importance of the study of amino acid nutrition is increasing. In order to improve dietary efficiency, it is necessary to elucidate the exact amino acid requirements of poultry. The amino acid requirements are not constant and are affected by various factors. By using the plasma amino acid concentration as a parameter, it is possible to predict the amino acid requirements within a short period using a small number of animals repeatedly. By satisfying the amino acid requirements through supplementing crystalline amino acids, it is possible to reduce dietary protein and excretory nitrogen simultaneously. However, when the dietary protein is reduced, the abdominal fat tends to increase. This is solved by deciding the optimum dietary protein level, but it is difficult to control the taste of poultry meat by dietary amino acids.

Spirochaetes and other bacterial species associated with bovine digital dermatitis

The 16S rRNA genes from spirochaetes associated with digital dermatitis of British cattle were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from digital dermatitis lesion biopsies using one universal and one treponeme-specific primer. Two treponemal sequences were identified both of which shared a high degree of homology with the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (98%). Two further 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and shared similarity to Bacteroides levii (99%) and Mycoplasma hyopharyngis (98%). Polymerase chain reaction with T. denticola-specific primers amplified a potential virulence gene from digital dermatitis lesions which shared a high degree of homology to the 46-kDa haemolysin gene of T. denticola. The significance of the presence of organisms in digital dermatitis lesions of the bovine foot which are closely related to oral pathogens is discussed.

Microstructured Peptide‐Functionalised Surfaces by Electrochemical Polymerisation

AbstractFor the first time, antigenic peptides have been immobilised by electrochemical polymerisation after having been modified with a polymerisable functional group. 3‐Hydroxyphenylacetic acid was chosen as the novel polymerisable group. The synthetic peptides represent epitopes of the bovine foot and mouth disease virus and of the sodium channel of the cardiac muscle. The polymerisation was performed by applying a constant anodic potential or by cyclic voltammetry. A combination of these two methods was also employed, that is, cyclic voltammetry with a delay at the anodic vertex potential. No additional free phenolic monomer was required for the polymerisation. The layers formed by the polymerisation were recognised by specific antibodies. The specific binding of the antibodies to the polymer film could be demonstrated by ELISA, an enzyme‐linked amperometric immunoassay, and electrochemical impedance measurements, as well as by fluorescence‐labelled antibodies. A peptide derived from laminine was also immobilised by electrochemical polymerisation. It could be shown that neuroblastoma cells adhere to this layer.

A semiquantitative enzyme method for identifying Fusobacterium necrophorum biovars A and B.

The present study describes a semiquantitative enzyme method for distinguishing among the pathogenic biovars of Fusobacterium necrophorum. Since 1891 when McFaydean first described the organism as the etiologic agent of a bovine and ovine hepatic necrosis, numerous investigators have made significant contributions to the characterization and nomenclature of the bacterium. In 1963, Fievez classified the 3 Sphaerophorus species as one species, S. necrophorus, with biovars A, AB, B, and C. Beerens et a1. in 1971 similarly characterized the 3 Sphaerophorus species as follows: S. necrophorus was hemolytic, had a hemagglutinin, and was pathogenic for mice; S. funduliformis was hemolytic, had no hemagglutmm, and demonstrated only slight pathogenicity for mice; and S. pseudonecrophorus was not hemolytic, had no hemagglutinin, and was not pathogenic for mice. Biovars A and AB as described by Fievez corresponded to S. necrophorus, biovar B corresponded to S. funduliformis, and biovar C corresponded to S. pseudonecrophorus. In 1970, the International Committee on Nomenclature of Bacteria Taxonomic Subcommittee for Gram-Negative Anaerobic Rods recommended that the genus Sphaerophorus be included in the genus Fusobacterium. 3 The present classification of F. necrophorum, as described in 1984 in the first edition of Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 9 is based on biochemical characteristics, whereas the biovars of F. necrophorum, which have differences in cellular and colony morphology, are identified by their biological characteristics. Forty-two strains of F. necrophorum that had been previously isolated from bovine foot rot, bovine hepatic abscesses, 5 bovine ruminal contents and ovine hepatic abscesses were biotyped (Table 1) on the basis of direct hemagglutination (DHA) of chicken erythrocytes, sedimentation in broth culture, colony characteristics on enriched brain-heart infusion blood agar (BHIBA), and cellular morphology observed on gram-stained slides. The DHA tests were conducted as previously described. Twenty strains were identified as biovar A; 21 as biovar B; and 1 as biovar AB, which has morphologic characteristics of both biovars A and B and falls between these biovars on the basis of DHA and sedimentation pattern. The 42 strains were evaluated for their enzyme activities on 19 substrates using a commercial semiquantitative enzyme system as described by the manufacturer. Briefly, colonies from a BHIBA plate that had been incubated anaerobically in an atmosphere of 10% carbon dioxide, 10% hydrogen, and 80% nitrogen for 48 hours were suspended in

Lifting The Bovine Fore Leg

One of the challenges faced by the cattle practitioner is lifting the bovine foot for the purposes of examination and treatment. Because the shoulder is not a fixed joint like the pelvic limb, there is a great deal of anterior-posterior movement. Most cattle will drop to their carpus when the fore leg is raised, requiring the operator to place his knee under the axilla to support the animal. This is difficult and dangerous for the operator.