Lesions In Cattle Research Articles

Evaluation of arterial digital blood flow in dairy cows with claw horn disruption lesions using Doppler ultrasonography

Vascular changes play an important role in the pathogenesis of claw horn disruption lesions in cattle. The aim of the study was to measure arterial blood flow in the hind limbs of German Holstein cows with claw horn disruption lesions. A 10-MHz linear transducer was used to assess blood flow in the interdigital artery in the dorsal pastern region in the hind limbs of 11 non-lame and 33 lame German Holstein cows in which lameness was scored clinically. Qualitative and quantitative blood flow parameters were compared in affected limbs and unaffected contralateral hind limbs in lame cows and in the hind limbs of lame cows and non-lame cows. A pulsed-wave Doppler signal suitable for analysis was obtained in 78 of 88 limbs (33 affected and contralateral limbs, 22 limbs of control cows). Blood flow curve types 1 and 2 were predominant in the hind limbs of lame cows. Vessel diameter, end-diastolic velocity, and blood flow rate were significantly greater in lame cows than in non-lame cows and were numerically greater in moderately lame cows than in mildly lame cows. The differences in the qualitative and quantitative parameters between lame and non-lame cows were most likely caused by inflammation of the pododerm. The role of weight distribution between the paired hind limbs and the existence of claw horn disruption appeared to have an effect on the differences in local circulation in the affected and unaffected contralateral hind limbs in lame cows.

Prevalence of abomasal lesions in Danish Holstein cows at the time of slaughter

Abomasal lesions in cattle are challenging to diagnose because the clinical signs are often subtle and nonspecific. An increasing number of studies suggests that abomasal lesions are commonly found in cattle of all ages, but the number of recent prevalence studies in dairy cows is limited. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of abomasal lesions in a population of Danish Holstein dairy cattle in Denmark. An abattoir survey of 1,327 dairy cows apparently suitable for slaughter was performed in 2016 and 2017. Abomasal lesions are usually classified using a standardized protocol with the following types: abomasal ulcer type I: erosions and nonperforating ulcers; type II: ulcers with arterial bleeding; type III: perforating ulcer with localized peritonitis; and type IV: perforating ulcer with diffuse peritonitis. A further subdivision of the nonperforating abomasal ulcers type I were classified as subtype Ia: erosions; subtype Ib: small ulcers with localized hemorrhage; subtype Ic: ulcers with a crater-like appearance; and subtype Id: retention of the mucosa due to tissue loss with either radial wrinkles converging at a central point or perforations of the spiral folds. Type I abomasal lesions were found in 84% of the examined cows. No ulcers with arterial bleeding (type II) or perforating ulcers with diffuse peritonitis (type IV) were found, but one perforating abomasal ulcer (type III) was observed. The total number of lesions found was 7,418 and when the lesion subtypes were evaluated individually the majority of subtypes Ia and Ic were found in the pyloric area (85 and 94%, respectively), whereas lesion subtypes Ib and Id dominated the fundus/corpus area (71 and 67%, respectively). When considering lesion subtypes according to parity, there was a high prevalence of subtype Ib across the 3 groups of parity (51, 58, and 55% for parity 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively). The prevalence of lesion subtype Id seemed to increase with increasing parity, and the prevalence of lesion subtype Ia seemed to decrease with increasing parity. The prevalence of abomasal lesions was higher than that shown in similar studies of cattle at the time of slaughter. However, the expectedly most painful cases were rare, with only one perforating and no arterial bleeding ulcers found. The etiology of the different subtype I lesions is still unknown, and further investigations are needed to establish the possible influence these lesions might have on welfare and production.

Biochemical and Morphological Alterations in Hearts of Copper-Deficient Bovines.

Copper deficiency is an important disease of cattle that produces several clinical signs and lesions, due to alterations in copper-dependent enzymes. One of the organs affected by this deficiency is the heart (falling disease), but nevertheless, these cardiac lesions have not been extensively studied in bovines. The aim of this work was to propose a possible pathogenic mechanism for cardiac lesions in cattle affected by copper deficiency. Because of the possible existence of oxidative distress caused by low levels of copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase and cytochrome oxidase, ultrastructural and histological lesions have been evaluated in the heart of bovines in which a Cu deficiency had been induced using high molybdenum and sulfur levels in the diet. Our results indicated that copper deficiency produces significant damage in myocardium with high levels of lipid oxidation and a significant reduction in copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase activity leading to an oxidative distress situation. However, cytochrome oxidase activity was not significantly reduced. Histological observation revealed a significant increase in the amount of connective tissue, enlarged basement membranes of myocytes, and numerous Anichkov cells, in the hearts of deficient animals. Ultrastructural observation showed a significant enhancement in the mitochondrial volume density, with presence of lesions such as swelling and cristae disruption. We conclude that copper deficiency in bovines causes morphological lesions in the heart due to an oxidative damage produced by copper-dependent enzyme alterations.

Short communication: Parapoxvirus and Orthopoxvirus coinfection in milk of naturally infected cows

Several studies have shown the occurrence of poxvirus infections associated with exanthematic lesions in cattle from many Brazilian states. Coinfection between viruses belonging to 2 genera, Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) and Parapoxvirus (PPV), was already identified from the lesions of affected cows and humans. The DNA and infectious viral particles of Vaccinia virus, an OPXV, have been detected in milk of naturally and experimentally infected cows. However, to date no reports have described the detection of Pseudocowpox virus, a PPV, in milk. Thus, we investigated the presence of PPV and OPXV in milk samples obtained from dairy cows from a Brazilian region with exanthematic disease outbreaks. From 2011 to 2014, 6 dairy farms with exanthematic disease outbreaks involving dairy cows, calves, and humans were visited. Twelve crusts of cows' teat lesions and 60 milk samples were collected. The crusts and milk samples were analyzed by PCR to detect OPXV or PPV DNA. According to the analyzed crusts, we detected PPV infection in 4 of the 6 visited farms, from which we investigated the PPV contamination in milk. From the 40 milk samples tested, PPV DNA was detected in 12 samples. Of these milk samples, 8 were positive for both PPV and OPXV. This is the first report of PPV DNA detection in milk samples from affected cows, indicating that the virus may be present in milk and potentially contaminating dairy products associated or not with OPXV. In addition to the lesions caused by direct contact, the presence of 2 or more poxvirus species in milk showed that the effect of zoonotic exanthematic diseases on public health and animal husbandry is relevant and cannot be overlooked.

Frequency and distribution of foot lesions identified during cattle hoof trimming in the Province of Antioquia, Colombia (2011–2016)

Lameness is a severe welfare problem in cattle and has a detrimental effect on longevity, productivity, and reproductive performance. This study aimed to describe the frequency and distribution of foot lesions in cattle using hoof trimming records over a period of 6years in the Province of Antioquia (Colombia). The data collection instrument enabled differentiation between limbs, digits, and views. The Claw Lesion Identification in Dairy Cattle brochure was the reference for foot lesion identification. A total of 1814 foot lesions observations, recorded from 1120 cows in 71 herds, were analyzed and 11 different foot lesions were identified. Non-infectious foot lesions were more common than infectious (94.4 vs 5.6%). White line disease was more frequently observed in the hind limbs (79.6%) compared to the front limbs (20.4%), and more frequent in medial claws of the front limbs (70.3%) compared to lateral claws (29.7%). In hind limbs, the lateral claws were more commonly affected (65.7%) compared to the medial claws (34.3%). Claw zone 3 was affected in 61.3% of the cases, followed by zones 2 (21.7%) and 1 (17%). Although our data are from a limited area of the country, they are consistent with published and anecdotal reports of foot lesions in cattle in Colombia and worldwide. Our results suggest that there is need for additional prospective research under Colombian dairy cattle management conditions to better understand the lameness and benefit of trimming intervention.

English

Animals in sub-Saharan African countries are used as source of milk, meat, hides and skin where animal diseases are one of the primary constraints in increasing the productivity of food animals. Studies were conducted to examine various respiratory problems of cattle with purpose of identifying the gross and histopathological lesions in lungs of slaughtered cattle at Abergelle Export Abattoir from April 2015 to June 2015 Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 240 lungs of cattle originating from different parts of Tigray regions were examined and as many as 208 lung samples with gross pulmonary lesions were collected for further confirmatory histopathological study. The prevalence of pulmonary lesions of cattle in this study was 86.6% (n=208). The case of pneumonia was found to be highest followed by lung emphysema and congestion besides cases of oedema, hydatidosis, abscess and atelectasis. These results indicated that respiratory problem is still a major health problem in cattle production. Key words: Lung, pneumonia, pulmonary lesion, Ethiopia.

Macroscopic and histopathological examinations of liver lesions in slaughtered cattle in Zabol City, Iran

Background:Liver lesions in cattle not only have negative effects on the cattle breedingindustry, but also lead to loss of animal protein production, and in particularto endanger the consumers’ health. OBJECTIVES:This study was carried out to examine the macroscopic and histopathologiclesions of liver in slaughtered cattle of Zabol City. METHODS:Livers of 281 cattle slaughtered at the industrial slaughterhouse of Zabol Citywere collected from March to September 2015 for gross and microscopicinvestigation. Tissue processing was conducted from specimens inspected totissue lesions with routine protocol and histopathological changes of liverswere examined under light microscopy. RESULTS:Macroscopic investigation of 281 cases showed 90 livers (32.02%) with gross lesions.In histopathological examination, there were 83 cases (29.53%) withhydatidosis, 3 cases (1.07%) with fasciolosis, 2 cases (0.71%) withperihepatitis and 2 cases (0.71%) with lipidosis. CONCLUSIONS:Based on the results of this study, the most frequent liver lesion in cattleslaughtered in Zabol City was hydatidosis indicating the active life cycle of Echinococcusguanulosus and the outbreak of this parasitic disease in dogs and othercarnivores in Sistan region

Prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia based on gross lesions in cattle at slaughter in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia is an important economic disease of cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides and manifested by anorexia, fever, dyspnoea, polypnoea, cough and nasal discharges. An eleven years (2006-2016) abattoir-based retrospective data were collated and analysed from Adamawa state Ministry of Livestock Production. Out of 241,700 cattle examined at post-mortem, 8,429 had CBPP-like lesions giving a prevalence of 3.49% (95% CI: 3.41-3.56). The overall prevalence for each local government area were 2.42% (95% CI: 2.35-2.49), 5.53% (95% CI: 5.30-5.74) and 8.97% (95% CI: 8.56-9.41) for Yola, Mubi and Ganye abattoirs respectively. There was significant association (p<0.05) between Local Government Areas and occurrence of CBPP. The annual highest prevalence of 5.75% (95% CI: 5.43-6.09) was recorded in 2010 with 1,128 cases and lowest prevalence of 2.43% (95% CI: 2.23-2.66) was recorded in 2007 with 505 cases. Based on season, highest prevalence rate of 3.85% (95% CI: 3.58-4.14) was recorded in February with 709 cases and lowest prevalence rate of 3.03% (95% CI: 2.80-3.28) was recorded in December with 605 cases. Both annual and monthly prevalence rates varied significantly (p<0.05). It was concluded that CBPP is endemic and widespread in Adamawa state. Hence, we recommend increased funding in the control of the disease, restriction of cattle movement and provision of cattle ranches. Keywords: Adamawa state, Cattle, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, Gross lesions, Prevalence

Fat and MEAT. A rare benign lesion of adipose tissue

The concept of mobile tumors was introduced by Shelley and Shelley in 2006. They coined the term abacus tumor. Mobile lipomas have been described in the literature as an example of abacus tumors. This was later questioned by Burgdorf et al., who performed comparative studies in cattle. They suggested the term mobile encapsulated adipose tissue (MEAT) for lipoma-like mobile lesions in cattle and people. We report two more cases of MEAT in adult patients and discuss the literature on this unusual subject.

Study on cadmium associated microscopic lesions in cattle and buffaloes

Study on cadmium associated microscopic lesions in cattle and buffaloes

EVALUATION OF CLINICAL RECOVERY AND HEALING OF ORAL LESIONS BY 3 DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC REGIMENS IN CATTLE WITH FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE (FMD)

The study compares the clinical outcome of the use of different topical treatments for oral lesions in cattle suffering from foot and mouth disease (FMD). One hundred diseased cattle, during an outbreak of FMD in Assiut governorate, Egypt, were used in this study. The animals divided into four equal groups. The oral lesions after being washed with physiological saline solution to remove necrotic tissues, were sprayed twice daily by Phenytoin (PHEN group), Bacitracin and Neomycin (BAC-NEO group), Oxytetracycline and Crystal violet (OXY-CRY group), and the lesions leaved without any topical applications (control group). All animals in the four groups treated daily and for 3 consecutive days by the intramuscular injection of both Oxytetracycline as a broad spectrum antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. It was observed that all animals in PHEN group show complete healing of oral lesions and the animals return to its normal appetite after 4 days whereas animals in BAC-NEO and OXY-CRY groups take a longer time to show improvement. The lesions in control group remain unhealed with bad appetite till the end of the observation period. It is concluded that Phenytoin (Healosol®) has a potent wound healing activity comparable to Bacitracin-Neomycin (Bivatracin®) and Oxytetracycline-Crystal violet (Oxy G®) in treatment of the oral lesions of FMD in cattle.

Major Gross Lesions of Lung in Cattle Slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017, to estimate the prevalence of major gross lung lesions in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, southern Ethiopia. A total of 563 male cattle were examined by antemortem examination, while postmortem lung lesions were done using standard inspection procedures. Association between prevalence and the explanatory variables was estimated by way of chi-square/Fischer's exact tests using statistical packages for social science (SPSS) software. Upon postmortem examination, 96.6% (544/563) of cattle examined had various gross lung lesions. The most important lesions identified were hydatidosis, emphysema, congestion, and atelectasis with prevalence of 45.3%, 19.2%, 18.1%, and 6.4%, respectively. Based on origins of slaughtered animals, hydatid cyst, emphysema, and congestion were common in cattle that came from Tula area with prevalence of 46.3%, 20.4%, and 20%, respectively. The animals from Arsi-negelle and Hawassa were mostly affected by hydatid cyst with prevalence of 44.4% and 42.5%, respectively. Statistically significant association (p = .038) was observed between prevalence of atelectasis and body condition of slaughtered cattle. In conclusion, the prevalence of hydatidosis was the major lesion in the lung of slaughtered cattle at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir. Therefore, appropriate disease control strategies should be put in place.

Bovine tuberculosis visible lesions in cattle culled during herd breakdowns: the effects of individual characteristics, trade movement and co-infection

BackgroundBovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains a significant problem for livestock industries in many countries worldwide including Northern Ireland, where a test and slaughter regime has utilised the Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (SICCT) test since 1959.We investigated the variation in post-mortem confirmation based on bTB visible lesion (VL) presence during herd breakdowns using two model suites. We investigated animal-level characteristics, while controlling for herd-level factors and clustering. We were interested in potential impacts of concurrent infection, and therefore we assessed whether animals with evidence of liver fluke infection (Fasciola hepatica; post-mortem inspection), M. avium reactors (animals with negative M. bovis-avium (b-a) tuberculin reactions) or Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV; RT-PCR tested) were associated with bTB confirmation.ResultsThe dataset included 6242 animals removed during the 14 month study period (2013–2015). bTB-VL presence was significantly increased in animals with greater b-a reaction size at the disclosing SICCT test (e.g. b-a = 5-9 mm vs. b-a = 0 mm, adjusted Odds ratio (aOR): 14.57; p < 0.001). M. avium reactor animals (b-a < 0) were also significantly more likely to disclose VL than non-reactor animals (b-a = 0; aOR: 2.29; p = 0.023). Animals had a greater probability of exhibiting lesions with the increasing number of herds it had resided within (movement; log-herds: aOR: 2.27–2.42; p < 0.001), if it had an inconclusive penultimate test result (aOR: 2.84–3.89; p < 0.001), and with increasing time between tests (log-time; aOR: 1.23; p = 0.003). Animals were less likely to have VL if they were a dairy breed (aOR: 0.79; p = 0.015) or in an older age-class (e.g. age-quartile 2 vs. 4; aOR: 0.65; p < 0.001). Liver fluke or BVDV variables were not retained in either multivariable model as they were non-significantly associated with bTB-VL status (p > 0.1).ConclusionsOur results suggest that neither co-infection of liver fluke nor BVDV had a significant effect on the presence of VLs in this high-risk cohort. M. avium tuberculin reactors had a significantly increased risk of disclosing with a bTB lesion, which could be related to the impact of co-infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) affecting the performance of the SICCT however further research in this area is required. Movements, test history, breed and age were important factors influencing confirmation in high-risk animals.

An outbreak of poisoning by Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in cattle in northeastern Brazil.

In the world, Kalanchoe species are primarily ornamentals and houseplants, but some have escaped cultivation and can be found in the field. In Latin America, there are no reports of spontaneous poisoning by Kalanchoe species in animals. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological aspects of an outbreak of poisoning by Kalanchoe blossfeldiana in cattle in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Epidemiological and clinical data were obtained from the owner and veterinarian during technical visits. Prunings of this plant were disposed of in a pasture with a shortness of forage. Seventeen cattle had clinical signs, and thirteen died 4-5days after the first clinical signs were observed. Clinical signs and gross and histological lesions include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders. Kalanchoe spp. contain cardiotoxic glycosides, and the clinical signs and lesions in cattle of this outbreak were consistent with poisoning by plants that contain these toxins.

Nontuberculosis mycobacteria are the major causes of tuberculosis like lesions in cattle slaughtered at Bahir Dar Abattoir, northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundThe main cause of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is believed to be Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). Nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are neglected but opportunistic pathogens and obstacles for bTB diagnosis. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the mycobacteria organisms involved in causing TB-like lesions in cattle in northwestern Ethiopia.ResultsA total of 2846 carcasses of cattle were inspected for TB lesions. Ninety six tissues (including lymph nodes such as submandibular, retropharyngeal, tonsilar, mediatinal, bronchial and mesenteric, and organs such as lung, liver and kidney) with suspicious TB lesion(s) were collected and cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. Twenty one showed culture growth, of which only 17 were identified containing acid fast bacilli (AFB) by Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Among the 17 AFB isolates 15 generated a polymerase chain reaction product of 1030 bp by gel electrophoresis based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplification. No M. tuberculosis complex species were isolated. Further characterization by Genotype Mycobacterium CM assay showed 6 isolates identified as M. peregrinum. Eight isolates represented by mixed species, which includes M. fortuitum-peregrinum (3 isolates), M. gordonae-peregrinum (3 isolates) and M. fortuitum-gordonae-peregrinum (2 isolates). One NTM could not be interpreted.ConclusionA significant number of NTM species were isolated from TB-like lesions of grazing cattle slaughtered at Bahir Dar Abattoir. Such finding could suggest the role of NTM in causing lesions in cattle. Further investigations are recommended on the pathogenesis of the reported NTM species in cattle, and if they have public health significance.

Pathological study of liver lesions in cattle slaughtered at Kirkuk province abattoir

Current study aimed to identify the gross and microscopic lesions and their percentage in liver of cattle slaughtered in Kirkuk province abattoir. A total of 6211 liver sample were examined during period from 01/08/2016 until 01/12/2016 with total cattle liver that showed gross lesions 738 cases. A gross examination was applied to affected liver and tissue sample were taken from lesions for histopathological examination. The result of current study showed that the total liver lesions in cattle is about 11.88% (738/6211) which distributed as liver fluke infestation 3.34% (213/6211), hydatid cyst 3.12% (194/6211), liver abscess 2.29% (142/6211), cholangiohepatitis 2.01% (125/6211), and hepatic hemorrhage with congestion 1.03% (64/6211). The results of gross and microscopic examination of liver infested with liver fluke showed presence of thickening in bile ducts with adult fluke as well as liver atrophy with hyperplasia of epithelial cell in affected bile ducts with dystrophic calcification. While in case of hydatid cyst the lesions composed from presence of larval stage in form of white cyst in different size and their walls composed from hyperplasia of fibrocytes and fibrin strands. In case of hepatic hemorrhage and congestion the result showed sever congestion with staining of liver tissue by blood color, with presence of red blood cells in association with inflammatory cells between hepatocytes. While in case of hepatic abscess we noticed presence of white to yellow solid lesions that randomly distributed in different shape and size composed from necrotic center with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells and hyperplasia of fibrocytes. While in case of cholangiohepatitis the affected area showed paleness with accumulation of bile material inside bile ducts, as well as hyperplasia of affected ducts and fibrosis in portal areas with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in liver tissue with dystrophic calcification in bile ducts. We concluded from current study that wide spread of hepatic lesions in liver of cattle in Kirkuk province and this result should be taken in more serious action which can result in economic losses as well as possibility of zoonosis of these pathogens to human, also the gross lesions described by current study were identically similar to microscopic lesions.

A novel bovine papillomavirus type in the genus Dyokappapapillomavirus.

Papillomaviruses are a diverse group of viruses thatare known to infect a wide range of animal species. Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) are divided into at least 21 genotypes (BPV1 to BPV21), with most BPV isolates/strains described to date belonging to one of four genera, including Deltapapillomavirus, Xipapillomavirus, Epsilonpapillomavirus and Dyoxipapillomavirus. Here, we describe the identification and genetic characterization of a new BPV type in the genus Dyokappapapillomavirus. A farm in the state of New York, USA, reported chronic cases of vulvovaginitis in Holstein cows in 2016. Biopsies and/or swab samples collected from the vaginal mucosa were subjected to diagnostic investigation. Conventional diagnostic assays yielded negative results, and vaginal swab samples were subjected to viral metagenomic sequencing. Notably, BLAST searches revealed a papillomavirus genome with 7480 bp in length (67% nt sequence identity to BPV16). Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the L1 gene of the papillomavirus identified here (tentatively named BPV22) revealed that it clusters with members of the genus Dyokappapapillomavirus. Interestingly, the recently identified BPV16, which was detected in fibropapilloma lesions in cattle also clusters within the Dyokappapapillomavirus group. Each virus, however, forms a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree. These results indicate that the putative BPV22 represents the second BPV within the genus Dyokappapapillomavirus.

Effect of claw horn lesion type and severity at the time of treatment on outcome of lameness in dairy cows

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of claw horn lesions in cattle affects the likelihood of recovery; however, it is unknown if the type of lesion influences the likelihood of recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type, severity and frequency of claw horn lesions in newly lame cows (lame for no more than 2 weeks) at the time of corrective foot trimming affects the probability of recovery from lameness after treatment. The images of 112 feet (224 claws) from newly lame cows (n=112; lame in only one hind foot), which were treated with a standardised therapeutic hoof trim only, were used to score claw horn lesions (sole ulcer, sole haemorrhage, white line haemorrhage or white line separation). Most cows (n=107/112; 95.5%) were classified as mildly lame at the time of treatment. The proportion of cows that recovered 2 weeks after therapeutic hoof trimming was 88/112 (78.6%). Results of a multilevel logistic regression model indicated that severely lame cows were less likely to recover than those that were mildly lame (odds ratio, OR, 0.16; P=0.04). White line haemorrhage had a significant negative impact on the likelihood of recovery from lameness (OR 0.14; P>0.01); however, recovery of cows with white line haemorrhage was positively associated with the length of the lesion (OR 1.05; P=0.03). This latter finding may be associated with the severity of the lesion, since mild claw horn lesions affected a significantly larger area of the claw than more severe lesions. The length and type of claw horn lesion were associated with recovery from lameness.

A Broad-Spectrum Chemokine-Binding Protein of Bovine Papular Stomatitis Virus Inhibits Neutrophil and Monocyte Infiltration in Inflammatory and Wound Models of Mouse Skin.

Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) is a Parapoxvirus that induces acute pustular skin lesions in cattle and is transmissible to humans. Previous studies have shown that BPSV encodes a distinctive chemokine-binding protein (CBP). Chemokines are critically involved in the trafficking of immune cells to sites of inflammation and infected tissue, suggesting that the CBP plays a role in immune evasion by preventing immune cells reaching sites of infection. We hypothesised that the BPSV-CBP binds a wide range of inflammatory chemokines particularly those involved in BPSV skin infection, and inhibits the recruitment of immune cells from the blood into inflamed skin. Molecular analysis of the purified protein revealed that the BPSV-CBP is a homodimeric polypeptide with a MW of 82.4 kDa whilst a comprehensive screen of inflammatory chemokines by surface plasmon resonance showed high-affinity binding to a range of chemokines within the CXC, CC and XC subfamilies. Structural analysis of BPSV-CBP, based on the crystal structure of orf virus CBP, provided a probable explanation for these chemokine specificities at a molecular level. Functional analysis of the BPSV-CBP using transwell migration assays demonstrated that it potently inhibited chemotaxis of murine neutrophils and monocytes in response to CXCL1, CXCL2 as well as CCL2, CCL3 and CCL5 chemokines. In order to examine the effects of CBP in vivo, we used murine skin models to determine its impact on inflammatory cell recruitment such as that observed during BPSV infection. Intradermal injection of BPSV-CBP blocked the influx of neutrophils and monocytes in murine skin in which inflammation was induced with lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, intradermal injection of BPSV-CBP into injured skin, which more closely mimics BPSV lesions, delayed the influx of neutrophils and reduced the recruitment of MHC-II+ immune cells to the wound bed. Our findings suggest that the CBP could be important in pathogenesis of BPSV infections.

Detection of bovine papillomavirus type 14 DNA sequences in urinary bladder tumors in cattle

Bovine papillomavirus type 14 (BPV-14) is a novel Deltapapillomavirus (δPV) which is most closely related to BPV-1, -2, and -13, well-known members of the δPV genus. So far BPV-14 has been detected in cutaneous neoplastic lesions in cattle and in feline sarcoids. As BPV-14 may share biological and pathological properties with BPV-1, -2 and -13, it has been hypothesized that, like other δPVs, BPV-14 could be associated with bovine bladder neoplasia.In this study, 50 tumors of the urinary bladder of cattle were diagnosed. DNA was extracted from all tumor samples as well as from 25 normal bladder samples and submitted to BPV-14 L1 PCR and subsequent amplicon sequencing analysis. BPV-14 L1 DNA sequences of specific 195bp amplicons were obtained from 17 of 50 (34%) tumor DNA isolates; no BPV-14 DNA was detected from 25 normal samples. Amplicons revealed a 99% homology with the corresponding BPV-14 L1 DNA region (GenBank accession number KP276343.1). Co-infections by two or three δPV types were also seen. This study reveals the presence of BPV-14 DNA alone or in combination with other δPV DNA in bovine bladder tumors alone and suggests that BPV-14 could also be involved in bladder neoplasia as its E5 oncoprotein has the potential to induce cell proliferation. Furthermore, this is the first study to show the presence of BPV-14 in Europe, suggesting that BPV-14, like other δPVs, has a worldwide distribution.