Bovis In Samples Research Articles

A morphological and molecular comparison of Eimeria bovis-like oocysts (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from European bison, Bison bonasus L., and cattle, Bos taurus L., and the development of two multiplex PCR assays for their identification

The European bison, Bison bonasus is the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe; it is also on the red list, being recognized as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species suffers from low genetic variability, rendering it vulnerable to various environmental and biological threats.This study presents the first molecular confirmation of Eimeria bovis infection in European bison, and details a 1708 bp nucleotide sequence of the 18S rRNA gene in European bison-derived E. bovis (GenBank: MK691697). It also describes two multiplex PCR assays based on 18S rRNA gene for identifying Eimeria bovis oocysts and developmental stages in European bison and cattle. These yielded DNA banding patterns common for those of Eimeria spp. (250 bp for the first assay and 305 bp for the second assay) and species-specific E. bovis DNA in positive samples (344 bp and 586 bp, respectively). Both multiplex PCRs yielded bands characteristic of Eimeria spp. and E. bovis in samples containing DNA of oocysts from both bison and cattle. Moreover, convergent results were obtained for the DNA of the wall of colon in both assays, indicating the presence of developmental stages of Eimeria spp. other than E. bovis. Despite displaying the same sporulation time (four days), and similar general morphological features, the E. bovis oocysts derived from European bison were significantly narrower than those obtained from cattle (t = −6.19, p < 0.001), with a significantly higher shape index (length/width ratio) (t = 3.94, p < 0.001).The result provides further evidence for infection of European bison with a highly-pathogenic bovine protozoan, E. bovis.

Characterisation of the course of Mycoplasma bovis infection in naturally infected dairy herds

Mycoplasma bovis causes bovine respiratory disease, mastitis, arthritis and otitis. The importance of M. bovis has escalated because of recent outbreaks and introductions into countries previously free of M. bovis. We characterized the course of M. bovis infection on 19 recently infected dairy farms over 24 months. Our objective was to identify diagnostic tools to assess the efficacy of control measures to assess low risk infection status on M. bovis infected farms. PCR assays and culture were used to detect M. bovis, and in-house and BioX ELISAs were used to follow antibody responses. Cows and young stock were sampled on four separate occasions, and clinical cases were sampled when they arose. On 17 farms, a few cases of clinical mastitis were detected, mostly within the first eight weeks after the index case. Antibodies detected by in-house ELISA persisted in the serum of cows at least for 1.5 years on all farms, regardless of the M. bovis infection status or signs of clinical disease or subclinical mastitis on the farm. Six out of 19 farms became low risk as the infection was resolved. Our results suggest that, for biosecurity purposes, regular monitoring should be conducted on herds by screening for M. bovis in samples from cows with clinical mastitis and calves with pneumonia, in conjunction with testing young stock by screening longitudinally collected nasal swabs for M. bovis and sequential serum samples for antibody against recombinant antigen.

Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a multi-factorial disease in which numerous factors, such as animal management, pathogen exposure and environmental conditions, contribute to the development of acute respiratory illness in feedlot cattle. The role of specific pathogens in the development of BRDC has been difficult to define because of the complex nature of the disease and the presence of implicated bacterial pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of healthy animals. Mycoplasma bovis is an important pathogen of cattle and recognised as a major contributor to cases of mastitis, caseonecrotic bronchopneumonia, arthritis and otitis media. To date, the role of M. bovis in the development of BRDC of Australian feeder cattle has not been investigated. In this review, the current literature pertaining to the role of M. bovis in BRDC is evaluated. In addition, preliminary data are presented that identify M. bovis as a potential contributor to BRDC in Australian feedlots, which has not been considered previously. The preliminary results demonstrate detection of M. bovis in samples from all feedlots studied. When considered in the context of the reviewed literature, they support the inclusion of M. bovis on the list of pathogens to be considered during investigations into BRDC in Australia.

Real-time PCR demonstrates a higher prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in Northern Ireland compared with sandwich ELISA

Mycoplasma bovis has come to be recognised as a major contribution to calf pneumonia worldwide, with very few countries being free of its impact (Nicholas 2012). Its contribution to the...