Factors associated with the success of rabies vaccination of dogs in Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Sweden maintain their national provisions for a transitional period regarding rules concerning rabies vaccination and individual serological test for rabies neutralizing antibodies. The purpose of vaccinating dogs against rabies is to establish pre-exposure immunity and protect individual animals from contracting rabies.</p> <p>The aim of the study was to investigate factors associated with reaching the internationally accepted threshold antibody titre of 0.5 IU/mL after rabies vaccination of dogs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a prospective single cohort study including 6,789 samples from Swedish dogs vaccinated with commercially available vaccines in Sweden, and the dog's antibody responses were determined by the OIE approved FAVN test. Information on potential risk factors; breed, age, gender, date of vaccination, vaccine label and the number of vaccinations, was collected for each dog. Associations between the dependent variable, serological response ≥ 0.5 IU/mL or < 0.5 IU/mL and each of the potential risk factors were investigated using logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 6,789 vaccinated dogs, 6,241 (91.9%) had an approved test result of ≥ 0.5 IU/mL. The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that vaccinating with vaccine B reduced the risk of having antibody titres of < 0.5 IU/mL by 0.2 times compared with vaccination using vaccine A. Breed size was found significant as an interaction with number of vaccinations and age at vaccination as an interaction with day of antibody testing after last vaccination. In summary, larger breeds were at higher risk of having antibody titres of < 0.5 IU/mL but if vaccinated twice this risk was reduced. Moreover, there were a increased risk for dogs < 6 months of age and > 5 years of age to have antibody titres of < 0.5 IU/mL, but this was affected by number of days from vaccination till testing.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The probability of success of rabies vaccinations of dogs depends on type of vaccine used, number of rabies vaccinations, the breed size of the dog, age at vaccination, and number of days after vaccination when the antibody titres are tested. The need for a booster vaccination regimen is recommended for larger breeds of dog.</p

Characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus and detection of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Treponema spp. in sheep with different clinical manifestations of footrot

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the proportion of Dichelobacter nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Treponema spp. in sheep with different clinical manifestations of footrot compared to healthy sheep both at flock and individual level. The second aim was to characterise D. nodosus with respect to virulence, presence of intA gene and the serogroups.Swab samples (n=1000) from footrot-affected (n=10) and healthy flocks (n=10) were analysed for the presence of D. nodosus, F. necrophorum and Treponema spp. by real-time PCR and culturing (D. nodosus only). Dichelobacter nodosus isolates (n=78) and positive swabs (n=474) were analysed by real-time PCR for the aprV2/B2 and the intA genes and by PCR for the fimA gene (isolates only).D. nodosus was more commonly found in flocks affected with footrot than in clinically healthy flocks. A significant association was found between feet with severe footrot lesions and the aprV2 gene and between feet with moderate or no lesions and the aprB2 gene, respectively. F. necrophorum was more commonly found in flocks with footrot lesions than in flocks without lesions. No significant association was found between sheep flocks affected with footrot and findings of Treponema spp. or the intA gene. Benign D. nodosus of six different serogroups was detected in twelve flocks and virulent D. nodosus of serogroup G in one.In conclusion, D. nodosus and F. necrophorum were more commonly found in feet with footrot than in healthy feet. The majority of D. nodosus detected was benign, while virulent D. nodosus was only detected in a single flock

Can we use meat inspection data for animal health and welfare surveillance?

Ante- and post-mortem inspections at abattoir were originally introduced to provide assurance that animal carcasses were fit for human consumption. However, findings at meat inspection can also represent a valuable source of information for animal health and welfare surveillance. Yet, before making secondary use of meat inspection data, it is important to assess that the same post-mortem findings get registered in a consistent way among official meat inspectors across abattoirs, so that the results are as much independent as possible from the abattoir where the inspection is performed. The most frequent findings at official meat inspections of pigs and beef cattle in Sweden were evaluated by means of variance partitioning to quantify the amount of variation in the probabilities of these findings due to abattoir and farm levels. Seven years of data (2012-2018) from 19 abattoirs were included in the study. The results showed that there was a very low variation between abattoirs for presence of liver parasites and abscesses, moderately low variation for pneumonia and greatest variation for injuries and nonspecific findings (e.g., other lesions). This general pattern of variation was similar for both species and implies that some post-mortem findings are consistently detected and so are a valuable source of epidemiological information for surveillance purposes. However, for those findings associated with higher variation, calibration and training activities of meat inspection staff are necessary to enable correct conclusions about the occurrence of pathological findings and for producers to experience an equivalent likelihood of deduction in payment (independent of abattoir)

Dairy cow longevity : impact of animal health and farmers' investment decisions

A dairy farmer's decision to cull or keep dairy cows is likely a complex decision based on animal health and farm management practices. The present paper investigated the relationship between cow longevity and animal health, and between longevity and farm investments, while controlling for farm-specific characteristics and animal management practices, by using Swedish dairy farm and production data for the period 2009 to 2018. We used the ordinary least square and unconditional quantile regression model to perform mean-based and heterogeneous-based analysis, respectively. Findings from the study indicate that, on average, animal health has a negative but insignificant effect on dairy herd longevity. This implies that culling is predominantly done for other reasons than poor health status. Investment in farm infrastructure has a positive and significant effect on dairy herd longevity. The investment in farm infrastructure creates room for new or superior recruitment heifers without the need to cull existing dairy cows. Production variables that prolong dairy cow longevity include higher milk yield and an extended calving interval. Findings from this study imply that the relatively short longevity of dairy cows in Sweden compared with some dairy producing countries is not a result of problems with health and welfare. Rather, dairy cow longevity in Sweden hinges on the farmers' investment decisions, farm-specific characteristics and animal management practices.The Swedish Government Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS; Stockholm, Sweden).http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-dairy-sciencehj2023Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

MILK Symposium review: Microbiological quality and safety of milk from farm to milk collection centers in Rwanda

The aim of this study was to generate knowledge on the most important milk quality and safety attributes, including somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Brucella spp. antibodies and antibiotic residues in milk in the chain from farm to milk collection center (MCC) in Rwanda. In addition, we investigated farm and management factors associated with high TBC, SCC, and Salmonella counts. Raw milk was sampled at the farm and MCC levels. Milk samples were taken from dairy farms linked to 2 selected MCC in each of the 4 provinces in Rwanda. In total, 406 bulk milk samples from 406 farms and 32 bulk milk samples from 8 MCC were collected and analyzed. Farm milk average SCC varied between 180 × 103 and 920 × 103 cells/mL, whereas average SCC in milk samples at MCC varied between 170 × 103 and 1,700 × 103 cells/mL. The mean milk TBC of different farms per MCC varied between 1.1 × 106 and 1.6 × 107 cfu/mL, whereas in milk samples from different MCC, the mean TBC ranged between 5.3 × 105 and 2.4 × 108 cfu/mL. The high TBC in milk from MCC suggests proliferation or recontamination of milk by bacteria during transportation. Escherichia coli was detected in 35 of 385 farm milk samples and ranged between 5 cfu/mL and 1.1 × 104 cfu/mL, whereas in milk samples from the MCC, it was detected in 20 out 32 samples varying between 5 cfu/mL and 2.9 × 103 cfu/mL. Overall farm prevalence of Salmonella in milk samples was 14%, but no milk samples from MCC were positive for Salmonella. Five out of 22 bulk milk samples from different MCC were positive for Brucella spp. antibodies, but no Brucella antibodies were detected in milk samples from farms. The prevalence of antibiotic residues as detected by the Delvotest SP NT (DSM, Delft, the Netherlands) was low: 1.3% in farm milk samples and undetected in MCC milk samples. Lack of a separate milking area was associated with high TBC, whereas offering of supplemental feeds, keeping data of past diseases, and an unhygienic milking area were associated with high SCC. Lack of teat washing before milking was the only factor associated with Salmonella contamination of milk at the farm level. This study indicated high TBC and SCC of milk samples at the farm and MCC levels, which indicates both microbial contamination of milk and poor udder health in dairy cows. Presence of E. coli, Salmonella, and Brucella antibodies in milk was common, but finding antibiotic residues in milk was uncommon

Prevalence of footrot in Swedish slaughter lambs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Footrot is a world-wide contagious disease in sheep and goats. It is an infection of the epidermis of the interdigital skin, and the germinal layers of the horn tissue of the feet. The first case of footrot in Swedish sheep was diagnosed in 2004. Due to difficulties in distinguishing benign footrot from early cases of virulent footrot and because there is no possibility for virulence testing of strains of <it>Dichelobacter nodosus </it>in Sweden, the diagnosis is based of the presence or absence of clinical signs of footrot in sheep flocks. Ever since the first diagnosed case the Swedish Animal Health Service has worked intensively to stop the spread of infection and control the disease at flock level. However, to continue this work effectively it is important to have knowledge about the distribution of the disease both nationally and regionally. Therefore, the aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of footrot in Swedish lambs at abattoirs and to assess the geographical distribution of the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prevalence study on footrot in Swedish lambs was performed by visual examination of 2000 feet from 500 lambs submitted from six slaughter houses. Each foot was scored according to a 0 to 5 scoring system, where feet with score ≥2 were defined as having footrot. Moreover, samples from feet with footrot were examined for <it>Dichelobacter nodosus </it>by culture and PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of footrot at the individual sheep level was 5.8%, and <it>Dichelobacter nodosus </it>was found by culture and PCR in 83% and 97% of the samples from feet with footrot, respectively. Some minor differences in geographical distribution of footrot were found in this study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In a national context, the findings indicate that footrot is fairly common in Swedish slaughter lambs, and should be regarded seriously.</p

Etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of udder pathogens from cases of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A nationwide survey on the microbial etiology of cases of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows was carried out on dairy farms in Sweden. The aim was to investigate the microbial panorama and the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, differences between newly infected cows and chronically infected cows were investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In total, 583 quarter milk samples were collected from 583 dairy cows at 226 dairy farms from February 2008 to February 2009. The quarter milk samples were bacteriological investigated and scored using the California Mastitis Test. Staphylococci were tested for betalactamase production and presence of resistance was evaluated in all specific udder pathogens. Differences between newly infected cows and chronically infected cows were statistically investigated using logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The most common isolates of 590 bacteriological diagnoses were <it>Staphylococcus (S) aureus </it>(19%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS; 16%) followed by <it>Streptococcus (Str) dysgalactiae </it>(9%), <it>Str. uberis </it>(8%), <it>Escherichia (E.) coli </it>(2.9%), and <it>Streptococcus </it>spp. (1.9%). Samples with no growth or contamination constituted 22% and 18% of the diagnoses, respectively. The distribution of the most commonly isolated bacteria considering only bacteriological positive samples were: <it>S. aureus </it>- 31%, CNS - 27%, <it>Str. dysgalactiae </it>- 15%, <it>Str. uberis </it>- 14%, <it>E. coli </it>- 4.8%, and <it>Streptococcus </it>spp. - 3.1%. There was an increased risk of finding <it>S. aureus, Str. uberis </it>or <it>Str. dysgalactiae </it>in milk samples from chronically infected cows compared to findings in milk samples from newly infected cows. Four percent of the <it>S. aureus </it>isolates and 35% of the CNS isolates were resistant to penicillin G. Overall, resistance to other antimicrobials than penicillin G was uncommon.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>and CNS were the most frequently isolated pathogens and resistance to antimicrobials was rare.</p

Epidemiological studies of risk factors for bovine mastitis

This thesis describes some factors associated with mastitis in Swedish dairy herds, and with udder health of first-parity dairy cows. These factors were investigated in four observational studies including a total of 343 dairy herds and 3315 first-parity cows throughout Sweden. The herds were visited and the farmers interviewed about management, housing, feed, feeding, and milking. The quality of feed, as well as presence of udder pathogens at a case of clinical mastitis, was investigated in two of the studies. Blood samples were taken from first-parity cows in the period two weeks before calving to six weeks after calving for analysis of metabolites and immunological parameters in one of the studies. Udder health measurements used as outcomes in the studies were being a herd with a low or high incidence rate of veterinary treatments of clinical mastitis (CM), being a first-parity cow veterinary treated for CM in the period -7 to 30 days after calving, the within herd number of first-parity cows veterinary treated for CM in the period -10 to 60 days after calving, being a first-parity cow with somatic cell count (SCC) ≥ 200,000 cells/mL at first test-milking, the within herd number of first-parity cows with SCC ≥ 200,000 cells/mL at first test-milking, and as SCC of first-parity cows at first test-milking. Associations between the registered variables and udder health were statistically analyzed using multivariable linear, logistic and Poisson regression models. Results showed that farmer attitude toward treatment of a case of mastitis differed, some contacted a veterinarian at very mild signs of mastitis, while others waited until the cows showed more clinical signs. Moreover, several feed and feeding variables, and hygienic parameters, especially around calving, were found associated with udder health. Furthermore, the results showed that cows of the Swedish Red breed and herds with the majority of cows of this breed, on average have a more beneficial udder health status than cows, or herds with the majority of cows, of the Swedish Holstein breed. Several metabolites and immunologic parameters were associated with SCC at first test-milking, and most of these parameters varied significantly between breed and between first-parity cows of different age at first calving