Clinical and pulmonary ultrasound evaluations after intranasal, parenteral, or both vaccine administration for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in dairy calves

The bovine respiratory disease (BRD) can significantly reduce the health and welfare of dairy calves. Vaccination is a common practice to minimize the incidence of BRD both intranasal and parenteral. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and lung ultrasound response of calves undergoing intranasal, parenteral, or both vaccination for BRD. Two-hundred one Holstein Friesian calves were enrolled and divided into four group: control group (Group A, n=41, without vaccination); intranasal-vaccination group (Group B, n=46, intranasal vaccination); parenteral-vaccination group (Group C, n=52, subcutaneous vaccination); double-vaccination group (Group D, n=62, intranasal and subcutaneous vaccinations). All animals received a clinical examination and lung ultrasonographic evaluation at 10-15 days of life (day of recruitment: T0), 17-22 (T1), 31-38 (T2), and 45-52 (T3) days of life. The Kruskall-Wallis and the Dunn tests were performed to assess differences between groups and over time, while the Chi-squared test was used to evaluate the differences between proportions. All vaccinated groups showed a lower ultrasonography score over time compared to Group A except for Group B at T3. Groups B and D presented a lower percentage of diseased animals compared to Group A at T1 and T2, while groups C and D were lower at T3. The odds ratio showed a lower risk of BRD in all vaccinated groups at T1 and T2, but only Group D continued to T3. Group D also showed a lower risk compared to Group C at T1, and groups B and C at T2. The respiratory score was greater in Group C except at T3. All vaccinated groups showed similar and lower mortality compared to the control group. Our results suggest that the lung ultrasound was more effective in identifying cases of BRD. Furthermore, the association of intranasal and parenteral vaccinations was more effective in reducing the risk of BRD

Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Function in Long-Term Survivors of Mild to Moderate Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Background/Purpose: In the last decades, several studies regarding cardiopulmonary sequelae in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have been published, but results often are conflicting, and controversies still exist. The aim of this study was to assess cardiopulmonary anatomic and functional outcome in a group of long-term survivors of CDH of mild to moderate degree. Methods: Twenty-four children aged 8.15 ± 2.80 years underwent clinical examination with growth assessment, chest radiographs, echocardiography, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy, static lung volumes measurement, and spirometry. Results: Mean Z scores of weight for age and height for age were within normal values. Echocardiography showed normal anatomy and function in all but 3 patients with isolated CDH, in whom minor alterations were detected. Mean perfusion to the affected side was significantly lower (45.16 ± 5.30%; P<.0001) but still within normal range. Four children showed a substantial impairment of perfusion to the hernia side. The mean spirometric values and pulmonary volumes were normal. However, a mild restrictive pattern was evident in 6 children (27.3%), an obstructive pattern in 3 (13.6%), and a mixed obstructive and restrictive impairment in 1. Conclusions: Hypoplastic lungs of mild to moderate CDH survivors continue to cause pulmonary morbidity in some children many years after the correction of the defect. In particular, lung perfusion appears to be impaired in 20% of the patients and pulmonary function in 45%, without any significant cardiac or developmental sequelae. The negative correlation between FEV1 and duration of ventilation at presentation (r = -0.49; P = .026) may be caused by the consequences of lung hypoplasia, but initial ventilatory management may contribute to increased pulmonary morbidity. Relationship between perfusion and FEF25-75 (r = 0.61; p = 0.004) could reflect an equivalent degree of reduction in the caliber of distal airways and pulmonary vascular tree. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Serum metabolome differences associated with subclinical intramammary infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Prototheca spp. in multiparous dairy cows

: Mastitis is one of the most significant diseases in dairy cows and causes several economic losses. Somatic cell count (SCC) is often used as an indirect diagnostic tool for mastitis, especially for subclinical mastitis (SCM) where no symptoms or signs can be detected. Streptococcus agalactiae is one of the main causes of contagious mastitis, while Prototheca spp. is an alga inducing environmental mastitis that is not always correlated with increased milk SCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the metabolomic profile of blood in relation to subclinical intramammary infection (sIMI) in dairy cows. In addition, differences due to the etiologic agent causing mastitis were also considered. Forty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in mid and late lactation were enrolled in this study with a cross-sectional design. Based on the bacteriological examination of milk, the animals were divided into 3 groups: Group CTR (control group; n = 16); Group A (affected by SCM with IMI of Streptococcus agalactiae; n = 17); and Group P (affected by SCM with IMI of Prototheca spp.; n = 7). Blood samples were collected in tubes containing clot activator from jugular vein. The serum aliquot was stored until metabolomic analysis by 1H-NMR. Statistical analysis was conducted fitting a linear model with the group as fixed effect and SCC as covariate. Forty-two metabolites were identified and among them, 10 were significantly different among groups. Group A and P showed greater level of His and lactose, and lower level of acetate, Asn, and dimethylamine compared with Group CTR. Group A showed high level of Val, while the Group P showed also high level of Cit and methylguanidine, and lower level of 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetone, allantoin, carnitine, citrate, and ethanol. These metabolites were related to ruminal fermentations, energy metabolism, urea synthesis and metabolism, immune and inflammatory response, and mammary gland permeability. These results are suggestive of a systemic involvement of sIMI and that the metabolic profile of animals with SCM undergoes changes related to the etiological agent of mastitis