Herd-level animal management factors associated with the occurrence of bovine neonatal pancytopenia in calves in a multicountry study

Since 2007, mortality associated with a previously unreported haemorrhagic disease has been observed in young calves in several European countries. The syndrome, which has been named ‘bovine neonatal pancytopenia’ (BNP), is characterised by thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia and a panmyelophthisis. A herd-level case-control study was conducted in four BNP affected countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands) to identify herd management risk factors for BNP occurrence. Data were collected using structured face-to-face and telephone interviews of farm managers and their local veterinarians. In total, 363 case farms and 887 control farms were included in a matched multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis. Case-control status was strongly associated with the odds of herd level use of the vaccine PregSure® BVD (PregSure, Pfizer Animal Health) (matched adjusted odds ratio (OR) 107.2; 95% CI: 41.0–280.1). This was also the case for the practices of feeding calves colostrum from the calf’s own dam (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) or feeding pooled colostrum (OR 4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–8.8). Given that the study had relatively high statistical power and represented a variety of cattle production and husbandry systems, it can be concluded with some confidence that no other herd level management factors are competent causes for a sufficient cause of BNP occurrence on herd level. It is suggested that genetic characteristics of the dams and BNP calves should be the focus of further investigations aimed at identifying the currently missing component causes that together with PregSure vaccination and colostrum feeding represent a sufficient cause for occurrence of BNP in calves

Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Camel Populations, Southern Jordan, 2014-2018.

After the first detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels in Jordan in 2013, we conducted 2 consecutive surveys in 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 investigating risk factors for MERS-CoV infection among camel populations in southern Jordan. Multivariate analysis to control for confounding demonstrated that borrowing of camels, particularly males, for breeding purposes was associated with increased MERS-CoV seroprevalence among receiving herds, suggesting a potential route of viral transmission between herds. Increasing age, herd size, and use of water troughs within herds were also associated with increased seroprevalence. Closed herd management practices were found to be protective. Future vaccination strategies among camel populations in Jordan could potentially prioritize breeding males, which are likely to be shared between herds. In addition, targeted management interventions with the potential to reduce transmission between herds should be considered; voluntary closed herd schemes offer a possible route to achieving disease-free herds

Muc5b Is the Major Polymeric Mucin in Mucus from Thoroughbred Horses With and Without Airway Mucus Accumulation

Mucus accumulation is a feature of inflammatory airway disease in the horse and has been associated with reduced performance in racehorses. In this study, we have analysed the two major airways gel-forming mucins Muc5b and Muc5ac in respect of their site of synthesis, their biochemical properties, and their amounts in mucus from healthy horses and from horses with signs of airway mucus accumulation. Polyclonal antisera directed against equine Muc5b and Muc5ac were raised and characterised. Immunohistochemical staining of normal equine trachea showed that Muc5ac and Muc5b are produced by cells in the submucosal glands, as well as surface epithelial goblet cells. Western blotting after agarose gel electrophoresis of airway mucus from healthy horses, and horses with mucus accumulation, was used to determine the amounts of these two mucins in tracheal wash samples. The results showed that in healthy horses Muc5b was the predominant mucin with small amounts of Muc5ac. The amounts of Muc5b and Muc5ac were both dramatically increased in samples collected from horses with high mucus scores as determined visually at the time of endoscopy and that this increase also correlated with increase number of bacteria present in the sample. The change in amount of Muc5b and Muc5ac indicates that Muc5b remains the most abundant mucin in mucus. In summary, we have developed mucin specific polyclonal antibodies, which have allowed us to show that there is a significant increase in Muc5b and Muc5ac in mucus accumulated in equine airways and these increases correlated with the numbers of bacteria

Comparaison des sites de prélèvement et méthodes diagnostiques pour la détection d'éléments fongiques dans les voies respiratoires équines

National audienceComité d’éthique : L’étude a été approuvée par le Comité d’Éthique en Recherche Clinique et Épidémiologique Vétérinaire d’Oniris (CERVO-2020-3-V). Un consentement éclairé a également été signé par chaque propriétaire.Sources de financement : L’étude est financée par l’Institut Français du Cheval et de l’Équitation (IFCE), les Fonds l’Eperon, le laboratoire LABEO et CISCO-Oniris.Conflit d’intérêt : Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d’intérêt.Contexte : L’interprétation clinique de la présence d’éléments fongiques dans les voies respiratoires est incertaine, et les méthodes diagnostiques mycologiques actuelles sont fastidieuses.Objectifs : L’objectif de cette étude est de caractériser la détection d’éléments fongiques dans les voies respiratoires du cheval, avec l’hypothèse qu’une cytologie sur le mélange (LBAM) des lavages broncho-alvéolaires gauche (LBAG) et droit (LBAD) est représentative des LBA examinés individuellement.Matériel et méthodes : Trente Trotteurs Français à l’entrainement et 32 chevaux référés pour troubles respiratoires ont été inclus. Un lavage trachéal (LT) et un lavage broncho-alvéolaire de chaque poumon ont été réalisés à l’aide de cathéters stériles par voie endoscopique, pour recherche d’éléments fongiques par cytologie et culture. Une culture était considérée « positive » dès lors qu’au moins une colonie était observée (puis identifiée), et une cytologie était « positive » dès lors qu’au moins un élément fongique (hyphe, spore) était observé.Résultats : Une culture fongique a été obtenue sur 51/62 (82%) LT and 13/62 (21%) LBA. Tous les chevaux avec un LBA « positif » étaient également « positifs » en culture sur LT. Des éléments fongiques ont été identifiés par cytologie sur 43/62 (69%) LT et respectivement 16/62 (26%) LBAD, 15/62 (24%) LBAG, et 14/62 (23%) LBAM. Neuf chevaux présentaient des éléments fongiques simultanément sur le LBAG et LBAD, tandis que 12 chevaux présentaient des éléments fongiques d’un seul côté seulement (6 LBAG et 6 LBAD [κ = 0.472]). Quatre LBAM étaient « positifs » à la fois en cytologie et culture, tandis que 9 et 10 LBAM étaient respectivement « positifs » seulement en culture ou en cytologie [κ = 0.10]). Les 14 chevaux « positifs » en cytologie sur le LBAM étaient également « positifs » sur le LBAG et/ou LBAD, tandis que 7 chevaux étaient « négatifs » sur le LBAM mais « positifs » sur le LBAG et/ou LBAD. L’identification d’éléments fongiques en cytologie sur LBAM ou LBAG+LBAD est non équivalente (p = 0.023; Se = 0.67, Sp = 1.00).Discussion et conclusion : Pour la détection d’éléments fongiques, le mélange de LBA issus des poumons droit et gauche est une alternative hautement spécifique et modérément sensible, comparativement à la réalisation combinée d’une cytologie individuelle sur les prélèvements de chaque poumon

Detection of fungi in the airways of horses according to the sample site: a methodological study

International audienceFungal detection in equine airways may be performed on either tracheal wash (TW) or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by either cytology or culture. However, method comparisons are sparse. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of fungi in airways of horses according to the sample site and laboratory methodology. Sixty-two adult horses, investigated in the field or referred for respiratory disease, were included. Tracheal wash, and BALF collected separately from both lungs, were collected using a videoendoscope. Fungi were detected in cytologic samples examined by light microscopy, and by fungal culture. Hay was sampled in the field. Prevalence of fungi was of 91.9% in TW and 37.1% in BALF. Fungi were cultured from 82.3% of TW and 20.9% of BALF. Fungal elements were observed cytologically in 69.4% of TW and 22.6% of BALF. In 50% of horses, the same fungi were detected in both TW and hay, but fungi detected in BALF and hay differed in all horses. Poor agreement was found for the detection of fungi between TW and BALF and between fungal culture and cytologic examination (Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) < 0.20). Moderate agreement was found between cytologic examination of left and right lungs (κ = 0.47). The prevalence of fungi detected cytologically on pooled BALF was significantly different (p = 0.023) than on combined left and right BALF. Fungi were more prevalent in the TW than BALF, and results suggest that hay might not be the primary source of fungi of the lower respiratory tract of horses

Comparison of sampling sites and diagnostic methods for fungal detection in the equine respiratory tract

International audienc

"Everything in this world has been given to us from cows", a qualitative study on farmers' perceptions of keeping dairy cattle in Senegal and implications for disease control and healthcare delivery.

The dairy industry in Senegal is growing and evolving against a backdrop of rapid urbanisation and increasing consumer demand for dairy products. Consideration of appropriate cattle healthcare delivery and disease control in these evolving farming systems is of paramount importance given the risks posed by zoonotic pathogens and the economic consequences of disease for livestock keepers. Planning and implementation of disease control and healthcare delivery generally follows a top down approach. Often this does not take into account the views and perceptions of the farmers it impacts and who must behave in the expected way for successful outcomes to materialise. In this study, we asked 76 farmers to discuss their experience and opinions of farming milk producing cattle in 11 focus group discussions conducted in two peri-urban areas of Senegal. The objectives were to investigate farmers' perceptions of the current conditions in farming, to understand how these might impact the future direction of this particular system and how this might affect the feasibility and appropriate methods of cattle healthcare delivery and disease control. The data collected were subjected to thematic analysis and four themes were identified; 1. Revered cattle, 2. The changing face of livestock keeping, 3. Powerlessness, 4. Optimism for the future. Farmers in our study had a deep affinity with their cattle, they respected the traditions surrounding cattle keeping at the same time as striving for advances within the system and their animal's productivity. Within strong social groupings and hierarchical structures they recognised the inherent challenges they face but were hopeful and optimistic about growth and opportunity in the future of milk production. A holistic approach to embedding healthcare delivery and disease control within the broader context in which farmers operate may prove successful. This could involve consideration of funding channels for farmers, access to appropriate inputs and utilising the strong community spirit and social norms of farmers to initiate and facilitate change