Important Disease Of Cattle Research Articles

Prevalence and Economic Significance of Hydatidosis on Cattle Slaughtered at Nekemte Municipal Abattoir, Western Ethiopia

Aim The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis, to identify the association between expected risk factors and occurrence of the disease, to investigate economic importance and to evaluate fertility and viability of the hydatid cyst in cattle slaughtered at the abattoir. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study, which involves both ante-mortem and post-mortem examination, was conducted at Nekemte municipal abattoir from November 2015 to March 2016. Results A total of 355 local cattle breed was randomly sampled and examined for the presence of hydatid cysts in the organs of the animals using the standard meat inspection procedures, 66 (18.6%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the prevalence of bovine hydatidosis in all risk factors with exception of sex of the animals. Among 207 hydatid cysts recorded, 93 (44.92%) were from lungs, 65 (31.40%) from livers, 4 (1.93%) from heart, 3 (1.44%) from kidney, 1 (0.48%) from spleen and 41 (19.8%) were in two organs from lung and liver. Fifty-seven (57) of these 207 cysts were randomly selected and subjected to fertility and viability test which revealed 19 (33.33%) as fertile, 25 (43.86 %) sterile and 13 (22.81%) calcified. Viability test proved 7 (12.28%) of 19 fertile cysts as viable and 12 (21.05%) of 19 fertile cysts as non-viable. Viability of cysts in different organs revealed that 5 (16.1%) and 2 (10%) of cysts from lungs and liver, respectively. The estimated financial loss during the study period both due to condemnation of organs and an in direct carcass weight loss from hydatidosis was 2,190,143.52 ETB. Conclusion The results of this study revealed that bovine hydatidosis was an economically important disease of cattle which need serious attention for prevention and control actions in and around Nekemte. Hence, establishment of well-equipped standardized abattoirs, prohibition of backyard slaughter, creation of public awareness, deworming and control of stray dogs are of paramount importance.

Investigation of bovine ephemeral fever virus transmission by putative dipteran vectors under experimental conditions

BackgroundBovine ephemeral fever virus (Rhabdoviridae: Ephemerovirus) (BEFV) causes bovine ephemeral fever (BEF), an economically important disease of cattle and water buffalo. Outbreaks of BEF in Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East are characterized by high rates of morbidity and highly efficient transmission between cattle hosts. Despite this, the vectors of BEFV remain poorly defined.MethodsColony lines of biting midges (Culicoides sonorensis) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus) were infected with a strain of BEFV originating from Israel by feeding on blood–virus suspensions and by intrathoracic inoculation. In addition, in vivo transmission of BEFV was also assessed by allowing C. sonorensis inoculated by the intrathoracic route to feed on male 6 month-old Holstein-Friesian calves.ResultsThere was no evidence of BEFV replication within mosquitoes fed on blood/virus suspensions for mosquitoes of any species tested for each of the three colony lines. In 170 C. sonorensis fed on the blood/virus suspension, BEFV RNA was detected in the bodies of 13 individuals and in the heads of two individuals, indicative of fully disseminated infections and an oral susceptibility rate of 1.2%. BEFV RNA replication was further demonstrated in all C. sonorensis that were inoculated by the intrathoracic route with virus after 5, 6 or 7 days post-infection. Despite this, transmission of BEFV could not be demonstrated when infected C. sonorensis were allowed to feed on calves.ConclusionsNo evidence for infection or dissemination of BEFV (bovine/Israel/2005-6) in mosquitoes of three different species was found. Evidence was found for infection of C. sonorensis by the oral route. However, attempts to transmit BEFV to calves from infected C. sonorensis failed. These results highlight the challenge of defining the natural vector of BEFV and of establishing an in vivo transmission model. The results are discussed with reference to the translation of laboratory-based studies to inference of vector competence in the field.Graphical abstract

Status of Subclinical Mastitis in Crossbred Cattle of Peri-urban Unorganized Herd of Middle Indo-gangetic Plains

Background: Mastitis is the most common and economically important disease of dairy cattle. Subclinical mastitis is a more important form in India than clinical mastitis. Subclinical mastitis (SCM) detection done by periodic examination of the udder health by evaluation of milk at the herd level or the individual cow level by milk somatic cell count (SCC), followed by culture of random milk samples. The presented study was undertaken by survey and sampling of milk from lactating crossbred cattle of unorganized dairy farms and farmer’s dairy of the peri-urban region of middle Indo-Gangetic Plains. The objective of the study was to monitor the status of SCM in crossbred cattle and associated changes in milk constitutes and oxidative stress in milk. Methods: A total of 147 lactating crossbred cattle were screened for SCM using the modified California Mastitis Test (CMT) using detergent based CMT reagent and compared with conventional CMT reagent, followed by SCC, milk constituents, bacterial isolation and antibiotic sensitivity testing (ABST). General information was collected in pre-tested questionnaire. The data obtained were statistically treated to evaluate significance of the study.Conclusion: The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis in peri-urban cross-bred cattle was 36.74% which varied with parity and stage of milking. Prevalence of subclinical mastitis was highest (55.77%) in cross-bred cattle in mid-lactation and Parity 3-5. The mean SCC was significantly higher (7.21±0.27) in subclinical mastitis compared to CMT negative (3.66±0.06) milk sample. Somatic cell count was positively and significantly correlated with CMT reactions using conventional CMT reagent (rs= 0.86) as well as modified CMT reagent (rs=0.815) attempted using Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient. The mean values of milk pH, fat and lactic acid acidity increased significantly (P£0.01) in SCM compared to the milk of healthy cattle, except lactose which decreased significantly in SCM milk. The common contagious bacteria responsible for SCM isolate were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. (64.82%) isolates from these SCM milk followed by Streptococcus spp. ABST test conducted on random CMT positive milk sample indicated that gentamicin as most sensitive, followed by enrofloxacin. The present finding indicates the suitability of enrofloxacin as the most useful antibiotic for the treatment of subclinical mastitis in cross-bred cattle of the peri-urban area of middle Indo-Gangetic plains.

Influence of the Viral Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Homologue on Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) Growth, Histopathology and Pathogenicity.

Lumpy skin disease is an important economic disease of cattle that is controlled by vaccination. This paper presents an investigation into the role of the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) superoxide dismutase (SOD) homologue on growth and histopathology of the virus both in vitro and in vivo. SOD homologue knock-out and knock-in recombinants (nLSDV∆SOD-UCT and nLSDVSODis-UCT, respectively) were constructed and compared to the Neethling vaccine (nLSDV) for growth in a permissive bovine cell line as well as on fertilized chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). The infected CAMs were scored for histological changes. Deletion of the SOD homologue from LSDV reduced virus growth both in Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells as well as on CAMs. Furthermore, the knockout virus showed reduced inflammation in CAMs and more ballooning degeneration. A pilot experiment was performed in cattle to compare the lesions produced by the different LSDV constructs in the same animal. One animal developed a larger lesion to nLSDV∆SOD-UCT compared to both nLSDVSODis-UCT and nLSDV. Histological analysis of biopsies of these lesions shows less inflammation and necrosis associated with nLSDVSODis-UCT compared to nLSDV and nLSDV∆SOD-UCT. None of the vaccinated animals showed disseminated LSDV disease, indicating that the candidate vaccines are safe for further testing. Our results suggest that the SOD homologue may improve immunogenicity and reduce virulence.

An alternative cold chain for storing and transporting East Coast fever vaccine

East Coast fever (ECF) is an often fatal, economically important cattle disease that predominantly affects eastern, central, and southern Africa. ECF is controlled through vaccination by means of simultaneous injection of oxytetracycline and cryogenically preserved stabilate containing live, disease-causing parasites. Storage and transportation of the stabilate requires liquid nitrogen, a commodity that is commonly unreliable in low-resource settings. Here we show that storage of conventionally prepared stabilate at −80 °C for up to 30 days does not significantly affect its ability to infect cultured peripheral blood mononucleated cells or live cattle, suggesting an alternative cold chain that maintains these temperatures could be used to effectively manage ECF.

PREPARATION AND COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA VACCINES USING EOLANE-150 AND EOLANE-170 AS OIL ADJUVANTS FOR CATTLE AND BUFFALO

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) caused by Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2 is an economically important disease of cattle and buffalo, causes heavy economic losses due to sudden death of animals in developing countries like Pakistan. In this country, animals are vaccinated by alum (adjuvant) precipitated vaccine twice a year. Immunity induced through this prophylactic measure lasts for 3-4 months only. Two new HS oil based vaccines were prepared by using two new oil adjuvants such as Eolane-150 and Eolane-170. The ratio of bacterial antigen and oil adjuvants was 1:1 while bacterial dry weight was adjusted to 2 mg/ml. The addition of enrichments and aeration resulted in dense bacterial growth of Pasteurella multocida. Both new vaccines passed sterility, safety and potency tests as per OIE, 2017. Active and passive Mouse Protection Tests were performed to evaluate its potency. Indirect Haem-Agglutination (IHA) test was conducted on serum samples of two rabbits, groups each of which was vaccinated with HS oil based vaccines adjuvanted with Eolane-150 and Eolane-170. IHA indicated that immune response was higher (GMT=32) initially on 45th day to 75th day post vaccination and then declined (GMT=16) in the rabbits vaccinated with HS vaccine adjuvanted with Eolane-150, while protective immune response remained constant (GMT=16) up to ninety days post vaccination in the rabbits vaccinated with HS vaccine adjuvanted with Eolane-170. Vaccines were easy to inject with no side effects, including swelling at the injection site and longer protection as well. That would hopefully motivate the livestock owners and farmers to use this new product to protect their animals against this fatal HS disease.

Molecular Detection of <i>Trypanosoma species</i> in Cattle Slaughtered at Zango and Yantukwane Abattoirs in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

African animal trypanosomoses constitute the most important vector-borne cattle diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of170 blood samples were collected from cattle in Zango abattoir and Yantukwane abattoir in Zaria, Kaduna State. BloodSamples collected were examined for the presence of trypanosomes using the buffy coat technique and Giemsa thin bloodsmears which shows a single 1(0.58%; 1/170) infection using microscope. Positive and negative samples were subjected tofurther analysis using nested PCR reaction with nested primers for detection of trypanosomes, and 9 of the samples showedpositive bands after gel electrophoresis at 998bp (lane 1-9) indicating the presence of Trypanosoma theileri. Percentage, Chisquareand Odds ratio were used to analyse the data. A total of 9(5.29%; 9/170) animals were found infected with the parasiteout of which 4(4.65%; 4/85) were found in Zango abattoir, while 5 (5.95%) were found in Yantukwane abattoir. The resultswere not statistically (P>0.05) location dependent. The infection in male (6.45%) cattle was higher than the female (4.63%)with no infection in young animals. No infection was observed in Sokoto Gudali breed, while White Fulani breed had 5.77%.From this study, it is clear that trypanosomosis is still a major obstacle to livestock production in Zaria and its Environs andthe incidence is majorly in adult cattle. In addition, nested PCR reaction showed more sensitivity than microscopy. Hence,there is need for proper diagnosis and treatment of animals to promote more beef and milk production for humanconsumption. Further study is necessary to determine the pathogenicity of T. theileri in other domestic animals.
 Keywords: Trypanosomosis, White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali, breed, infection.

Assessment of prevalence and its direct financial loss due to liver condemnation of bovine fasciolosis on beef cattle slaughtered at municipal abbatoir of mudulla, Tembaro woreda, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Bovine fasciolosis is an important parasitic disease which imposes direct economic loss due to condemnation of affected organs mainly liver. A cross sectional study design based on active abattoir survey was conducted from November 2017 to February, 2018 with the aim of determining the prevalence and associated direct financial loss of bovine fasciolosis in Municipal abattoir of Tembaro district. A total of 384 liver of indigenous male cattle slaughtered during the study period were considered and 180(46.87%) were found to be positive for Fasciola species. Out of these positive samples; Fasciola hepatica was the predominant (58.2%) species followed by Fasciola gigantic (31.66%) and mixed (9.44 %) respectively. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was recorded in beef cattle those with poor body conditioned (82.35%) and the least in good conditioned (18.51%) and the difference in the prevalence was statistically significant (P<0.05).Relatively the higher prevalence was recorded in age group of >10 years (61.6%) and the low in 3-5 years (35%), and there was a statistical significant association (p<0.05) between age group and occurrences of fasciolosis. The infection rates in different market origins of animals was also analyzed and found to be statistically non-significant. The total annual economic loss from fasciolosis due to liver condemnation during the study time was estimated to be 39,370.8 Ethiopian Birr ($USA1236.52). Finally, the abattoir based prevalence recorded in this study area suggests that bovine fasciolosis is an economically important parasitic disease of cattle in the study area. Therefore, a detailed epidemiological study as well as assessment of the overall indirect economic loss incurred due to fasciolosis is required to implement systematic disease prevention and control methods in the study area.

Shedding of bovine alphaherpesvirus-1 in bovine extended frozen semen in Indian semen stations: A longitudinal analysis

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) caused by bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is an economically important disease of cattle and buffaloes. Following acute infection, the virus usually attains latency in the sensory neurons. Stress-induced reactivation of latency can cause the infected animals to intermittently shed the virus in body secretions including semen. A longitudinal analysis was carried out to study BoHV-1 shedding in the semen of IBR seropositive cattle and buffaloes. The study involved data generated from the screening of 119,850 extended frozen semen (EFS) batches, collected from 1,229 IBR seropositive bulls, over a period of four years (April 2015 to March 2019). A TaqMan based real-time PCR assay was employed to detect the gB gene BoHV-1 DNA in the EFS batch samples. Each sample was tested in duplicate and amplification in any of the replicates at or below the threshold cycle (Ct ≤ 40) was considered positive. The overall positivity of BoHV-1 in EFS batches was 1.18%. About 41% of the bulls (509 of 1,229) were found to have excreted the virus in semen at least once during the study period. The frequency of viral shedding in buffaloes (0.96%) was significantly lower than that of cattle (1.3%) (p < 0.001). No significant difference was noted in the rate of shedding between the first and the second ejaculates collected on the same day (p = 0.607). The rate of shedding also did not vary among various breeds of cattle (p = 0.454) or with the age of the bulls (p = 0.054). No significant variation in the shedding rate was observed in cattle across different seasons (p = 0.101); while in buffaloes, the rate was higher in autumn (1.2%) than in winter (0.7%) (p = 0.037). The difference in positivity among semen stations was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Analysis of data revealed that ≥100 EFS batch samples/bull were screened from 361 of the 1,229 bulls included in the study. None of the EFS batches screened from 39 of these 361 bulls were found positive during the four years, suggesting they were non-shedders. Further research is warranted to delineate the underlying features of the seropositive non-shedders; following which an adequate risk assessment may be made for the maintenance of infected but non-shedding bulls in semen production.

Analysis of p67 allelic sequences reveals a subtype of allele type 1 unique to buffalo-derived Theileria parva parasites from southern Africa.

East Coast fever (ECF) and Corridor disease (CD) caused by cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva respectively are the most economically important tick-borne diseases of cattle in the affected African countries. The p67 gene has been evaluated as a recombinant subunit vaccine against ECF, and for discrimination of T. parva parasites causing ECF and Corridor disease. The p67 allele type 1 was first identified in cattle-derived T. parva parasites from East Africa, where parasites possessing this allele type have been associated with ECF. Subsequent characterization of buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from South Africa where ECF was eradicated, revealed the presence of a similar allele type, raising concerns as to whether or not allele type 1 from parasites from the two regions is identical. A 900 bp central fragment of the gene encoding p67 was PCR amplified from T. parva DNA extracted from blood collected from cattle and buffalo in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by DNA sequence analysis. Four p67 allele types previously described were identified. A subtype of p67 allele type 1 was identified in parasites from clinical cases of CD and buffalo from southern Africa. Notably, p67 allele type 1 sequences from parasites associated with ECF in East Africa and CD in Kenya were identical. Analysis of two p67 B-cell epitopes (TpM12 and AR22.7) revealed amino acid substitutions in allele type 1 from buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from southern Africa. However, both epitopes were conserved in allele type 1 from cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva parasites from East Africa. These findings reveal detection of a subtype of p67 allele type 1 associated with T. parva parasites transmissible from buffalo to cattle in southern Africa.

The Effect of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Strains and the Corresponding Infected-Macrophages' Supernatant on Macrophage Inflammatory Function and Lymphocyte Apoptosis.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important viral disease of cattle that causes immune dysfunction. Macrophages are the key cells for the initiation of the innate immunity and play an important role in viral pathogenesis. In this in vitro study, we studied the effect of the supernatant of BVDV-infected macrophage on immune dysfunction. We infected bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) with high or low virulence strains of BVDV. The supernatant recovered from BVDV-infected MDM was used to examine the functional activity and surface marker expression of normal macrophages as well as lymphocyte apoptosis. Supernatants from the highly virulent 1373-infected MDM reduced phagocytosis, bactericidal activity and downregulated MHC II and CD14 expression of macrophages. Supernatants from 1373-infected MDM induced apoptosis in MDBK cells, lymphocytes or BL-3 cells. By protein electrophoresis, several protein bands were unique for high-virulence, 1373-infected MDM supernatant. There was no significant difference in the apoptosis-related cytokine mRNA (IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-a) of infected MDM. These data suggest that BVDV has an indirect negative effect on macrophage functions that is strain-specific. Further studies are required to determine the identity and mechanism of action of these virulence factors present in the supernatant of the infected macrophages.

Comparative Transcriptomics of the Bovine Apicomplexan Parasite Theileria parva Developmental Stages Reveals Massive Gene Expression Variation and Potential Vaccine Antigens

Theileria parva is a protozoan parasite that causes East Coast fever (ECF), an economically important disease of cattle in Africa. It is transmitted mainly by the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Research efforts to develop a subunit vaccine based on parasite neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes have met with limited success. The molecular mechanisms underlying T. parva life cycle stages in the tick vector and bovine host are poorly understood, thus limiting progress toward an effective and efficient control of ECF. Transcriptomics has been used to identify candidate vaccine antigens or markers associated with virulence and disease pathology. Therefore, characterization of gene expression throughout the parasite's life cycle should shed light on host–pathogen interactions in ECF and identify genes underlying differences in parasite stages as well as potential, novel therapeutic targets. Recently, the first gene expression profiling of T. parva was conducted for the sporoblast, sporozoite, and schizont stages. The sporozoite is infective to cattle, whereas the schizont is the major pathogenic form of the parasite. The schizont can differentiate into piroplasm, which is infective to the tick vector. The present study was designed to extend the T. parva gene expression profiling to the piroplasm stage with reference to the schizont. Pairwise comparison revealed that 3,279 of a possible 4,084 protein coding genes were differentially expressed, with 1,623 (49%) genes upregulated and 1,656 (51%) downregulated in the piroplasm relative to the schizont. In addition, over 200 genes were stage-specific. In general, there were more molecular functions, biological processes, subcellular localizations, and pathways significantly enriched in the piroplasm than in the schizont. Using known antigens as benchmarks, we identified several new potential vaccine antigens, including TP04_0076 and TP04_0640, which were highly immunogenic in naturally T. parva-infected cattle. All the candidate vaccine antigens identified have yet to be investigated for their capacity to induce protective immune response against ECF.

An Intranasal Vaccination with a Recombinant Outer Membrane Protein H against Haemorrhagic Septicemia in Swamp Buffaloes.

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is an important infectious disease in cattle and buffaloes, caused by Pasteurella multocida B:2 and E:2. The intranasal recombinant OmpH-based vaccine was successfully used to protect dairy cattle from HS in a previous study. Thus, this study aimed to examine the protective ability of that vaccine among buffaloes. Four groups of Thai swamp buffaloes received different vaccines and were labeled as 100 or 200 μg of the rOmpH with CpG-ODN2007, commercial HS bacterin vaccine, and nonvaccinated control groups. Sera and whole blood were collected to examine the antibody levels and cellular immune response using indirect ELISA and MTT assay, respectively. Challenge exposure was performed with virulent P. multocida strain M-1404 serotype B:2 on day 72 of the experiment. The antibody titers to P. multocida among immunized buffaloes were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.01), especially the 200 μg of the rOmpH group. The stimulation index (SI) of the intranasally vaccinated groups revealed significantly higher levels than the nonvaccinated group (p < 0.01), but not different from the intramuscularly commercial HS vaccine. The clinical signs and high fever were observed after challenge exposure in the nonvaccinated group, while it was not observed among the 200 μg of rOmpH immunized buffaloes. The other immunized groups showed partial protection with transient fever. In conclusion, the rOmpH-based intranasal vaccine could elicit protective ability and induce antibody- and cell-mediated immune response against virulent P. multocida strain among swamp buffaloes.

Resistance against macrocyclic lactones in Psoroptes ovis in cattle

BackgroundPsoroptic mange is an important disease in Belgian Blue cattle. Treatment failure of macrocyclic lactones against Psoroptes ovis has been reported, but clear evidence of in vivo resistance is lacking. This study assessed the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone products on 16 beef farms in Belgium and the Netherlands in vivo and in vitro.MethodsOn each farm a group of animals (n = 7–14) with psoroptic mange was treated with two subcutaneous injections of a macrocyclic lactone product with 7–10 days interval (15 farms) or a single injection with a long-acting macrocyclic lactone (1 farm). In vivo efficacy was assessed by the reduction in mite counts, clinical index (proportion of the body surface affected by lesions), the proportion of the animals with negative mite counts after the first treatment round and the number of treatment rounds needed to obtain zero mites counts in all animals. A mite population was categorized as sensitive when the mite count reduction after the first treatment round > 95% and the lower limit of the uncertainty interval > 90%. Resistance was detected when both parameters were below their threshold and suspected when one parameter was too low. In vitro knockdown and mortality were evaluated in a contact test.ResultsThe proportion of the animals with negative mite counts after the first treatment round varied from 0 to 80%. All farms needed two or more treatments rounds to obtain zero mite counts on all animals. Clinical index only started to reduce after the second treatment round. Mite populations from three farms were categorized as sensitive, one as suspected resistant and 12 as resistant. No correlation was found between in vitro lethal dose 50 and knockdown dose 50 values and in vivo efficacy parameters.ConclusionsUnambiguous treatment failure was detected on 12 out of 16 farms, confirming the presence of macrocyclic lactone resistance on Belgian Blue beef farms. In vitro parameters could not discriminate the farms based on their in vivo sensitivity. The mean reduction in mite counts and the lower limit of the confidence interval are proposed as parameters to identify acaricide resistance.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus loses quasispecies diversity rapidly in culture.

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is an important disease of cattle, with significant impacts on animal health and welfare. The wide host range of the causative pestiviruses may lead to formation of virus reservoirs in other ruminant or wildlife species, presenting a concern for the long-term success of BVD eradication campaigns. It is likely that the quasispecies nature of these RNA viruses contributes to their interspecies transmission by providing genetic plasticity. Understanding the spectrum of sequence variants present in persistently infected (PI) animals is, therefore, essential for studies of virus transmission. To analyse quasispecies diversity without amplification bias, we extracted viral RNA from the serum of a PI cow, and from cell culture fluid after three passages of the same virus in culture, to produce cDNA without amplification. Sequencing of this material using Illumina 250 bp paired-read technology produced full-length virus consensus sequences from both sources and demonstrated the quasispecies diversity of this pestivirus A genotype 1a field strain within serum and after culture. We report the distribution and diversity of over 800 SNPs and provide evidence for a loss of diversity after only three passages in cell culture, implying that cultured viruses cannot be used to understand quasispecies diversity and may not provide reliable molecular markers for source tracing or transmission studies. Additionally, both serum and cultured viruses could be sequenced as a set of 25 overlapping PCR amplicons that demonstrated the same consensus sequences and the presence of many of the same quasispecies variants. The observation that aspects of the quasispecies structure revealed by massively parallel sequencing are also detected after PCR and Sanger sequencing suggests that this approach may be useful for small or difficult to analyse samples.

Prioritization of Economically Important Cattle Diseases Using Participatory Epidemiology Tools in Lalibela, Sekota, and Ziquala Districts of Amhara Region, Northern Ethiopia.

Ethiopia's livestock resource is one of the largest globally. It is estimated at around 59.5 million cattle, about 30.5 million sheep, and 30.2 million goats. The sector is irreplaceable in the means of livelihood of the population as a source of meat, milk, drought power, and income. Yet, the country is unable to exploit the sector entirely because of highly prevalent infectious diseases and lack of appropriate disease control policy. These constraints are worse in districts of Lalibela, Sekota, and Ziquala, where this specific study was carried out. Despite the availability of scanty animal health services in these areas, information on animal health, especially cattle, was never a significant focus of research. This study was conducted with the objectives of identifying and prioritizing primary cattle disease with the aid of participatory epidemiology tools. Focus group discussions (FGD) and questionnaires were used in prioritizing the top economically important cattle diseases of the selected areas. Accordingly, the result of FGD indicated that ectoparasites, CBPP, FMD, blackleg, bloody diarrhea, and pasteurellosis were the major diseases affecting cattle production in the area. These areas can be representative of most of the countries where a mixed farming system is practiced. Therefore, this result can be used as a basis for broader planning of prevention and control strategies for these kinds of diseases. However, a laboratory-supported extensive investigation of these diseases is highly recommended to validate findings of such types of prioritization of diseases.

Low Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ELISA Specificity in a Dairy Herd

Johne's Disease (JD) is an important infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). It is estimated that over 50% of US dairy herds are infected with MAP. Current JD diagnostic tests detect either an immune response to MAP or the actual organism in feces or tissues. The JD ELISA detects antibodies to MAP and is the most common assay used to detect an MAP immune response. Because of the pathogenesis of JD, the sensitivity of the JD ELISA is reported to be less than 50% when used to detect JD infected adult cattle. The specificity of the JD ELISA is reported to be greater than 90%. However, the assay specificity may vary significantly between herds. In this case study, low MAP ELISA specificity in an individual dairy herd is described.

Occurrence of BVDV Infection and the Presence of Potential Risk Factors in Dairy Cattle Herds in Poland.

Simple SummaryThe bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes one of the most common and economically important viral diseases of cattle. It affected cattle reproductive disorders in breeding cattle as well as decreased productivity through increased forced culling, morbidity, and mortality, all of which can be observed on the herd level. The aim of our study was the estimation of the occurrence of BVDV infection in different regions of Poland and the analysis of the different factors that could be correlated with the productive results. We evaluated 354 cattle herds. The presence of antibodies against the BVD virus was found in 33.3% of examined herds, and the heterogenous distribution of BVDV-positive herds in all regions of Poland was confirmed. We found that the rate of BVDV infection was strongly correlated with the geographical location of the examined cattle populations in Poland, the grazing of the animals, and the purchasing of new animals to be introduced to herds.The aim of the study was to analyze the risk factors of BVDV infection, in different regions of Poland, with respect to certain parameters of animal health, including productivity, herd management practices, the presence of BVDV, and the effect of non-vaccination. A total of 354 cattle herds were estimated and linked to the analysis of the different factors that might be correlated with productive results. The presence of antibodies against BVDV was found in 33.3% of examined herds, and the heterogenous distribution of BVDV-positive herds in all regions of Poland (p = 0.001) was confirmed. We found statistical correlations between BVDV infection and pasture (p = 0.004) and the number of grazing animals (p < 0.001), and also the purchase of animals for replacement (p = 0.004) was observed. Production or clear clinical outcomes potentially linked to BVDV infection in the herd have not been observed. The results of this study indicate that the rate of BVDV infection was most strongly correlated with the geographical location of the examined cattle populations in Poland. The second most significant factors were the grazing of animals and the purchasing of new animals to be introduced to herds. The strengthened procedures of management, as well as the implementation of eradication programs, should be considered in the examined herds.

Complete Coding Sequence of a Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Strain Isolated during the 2016 Outbreak in Kazakhstan.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) causes an economically important disease in cattle. Here, we report the complete coding sequence of the LSDV isolate Kubash/KAZ/16, detected in a clinical sample from an infected cow from the outbreak reported on 7 July 2016 in Kazakhstan (Atyrau Region).

Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis.

Background and Aim:Mastitis is a common and economically important disease in dairy cattle. It remains one of the most common reasons for the extensive use of antimicrobials in dairy farms leading to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from bovine mastitis and to identify prominent antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes among isolated strains.Materials and Methods:Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against six antibiotic groups, including tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, macrolides, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones was performed using the disk diffusion method. PCR was performed on resistant isolates to detect resistance and virulence genes using commercially available primers.Results:Out of 216 milk samples cultured, 14 samples yielded E. coli isolates. All isolates (100%) were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, procaine penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Only one isolate (7%) was sensitive to gentamicin, and all isolates (100%) were sensitive to enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. All isolates carried at least one resistance gene against one or more of the major antibiotic groups. All isolates carried the ereA, tetG, tetE, and tetB genes, followed by tetA (93%), ampC (86%), strA (86%), sul1 (78%), tetD (71%), tetC (57%), aadA (57%), and strB (36%). The lowest percentage of isolates carried bla1 (17%) and bla2 (12%) genes, and none of the isolates carried the qnrA gene. Most of the isolates (93%) carried the Shiga toxin 1 virulence gene, followed by complement resistance protein (79%), intimin (64%), Shiga toxin 2 (36%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (35%), aerotaxis receptor (21%), and type 1 fimbriae (15%).Conclusion:Results of this study indicate that the high percentages of E. coli isolate from bovine mastitis are resistant to two or more of the major antibiotic groups, irrespective of the presence or absence of relevant resistance or virulence genes.