Virusne infekcije sporog toka malih preživara u Grčkoj

The slow viral infections are from the most important problems of sheep and goat production in Greece. Diseases as enzootic nasal tumor, Maedi-Visna, caprine arthritis-encephalitis, pulmonary adenomatosis and Scrapie can cause significant losses in sheep and goat flocks. They can be transmitted during grazing or with animal sales. Here are described the clinicopathological findings of the aforementioned diseases, as well as their diagnosis and control.Bирусне инфекције спорог тока су врло значајан проблем код оваца и коза у Грчкој. Обољења као што су Maedi-Visna, артритис и енцефалитис код коза (CAEV), аденоматоза и скрепи могу да узрокују значајне губитке у запатима оваца и коза. Могу да се пренесу у току испаше или продајом животиња. У овом раду je описан клиничко-патолошки налаз наведених болести, као и њихова дијагностика и контрола

The Monitoring of Some Anthelmintic Results in Control of Fasciolosis in Extensive System Dairy Sheep in Albania

The infestation from Fasciola hepatica in Albania was prescribed at a very high level in extensive system dairy sheep herd of flat area. To compare the efficacy and results of some anthelmintics-active drugs in F. hepatica control we organized a trial during the year 2012 in a dairy sheep farm in central Albania. We established 5 experimental groups with 50 sheep on each. All faeces from all sheep were controlled on different dates according to the methodology with fast flotation and sedimentation method for fasciola eggs and the PCV level (Hematocrit). Laboratory tests before treatment, reported an average of 115-130 eggs of Fasciola, per gram of faeces, which represented a serious invasion and hemotocrit or PCV was 26,4%-27,1%. The first and second group were treated with 10mg/kg.b.w of Triclabendazol per os (PO), one of the benzimidazolics that were introduced with the delay in Albania. The third group was administered a combination of 10 mg/kg of Triclabendazole + 7.5 mg/kg.b.w PO of Levamisole. The fourth group was administered 10 mg /kg/b.w PO of albendazole. The fifth group was not treated (control group). Three weeks later from the treatment, the trial was repeated under the same methodology. In autumn a coprology control was organized for all groups before and after treatment. The same treatment was repeated as in spring except the first and fifth group which was not treated. The conclusion from the experimental results is that the combined treatment of Triclabendazole + Levamisole, twice a year, in spring and autumn, shows a better effect against F. Hepatica than the treatment with Triclabendazole or Albendazole only.Keywords: anthelminthic, fasciola, triclabendasole, albendasole, coprology

Moxidectin Efficacy in a Goat Herd with Chronic and Generalized Sarcoptic Mange

A case of sarcoptic mange affecting almost all the animals of a dairy goat herd is described. This pruritic skin disease led progressively to high mortality and dramatic drop of milk yield. The lesions of the affected goats were typical of a chronic and generalized-diffuse sarcoptic mange. Diagnosis was confirmed by skin scrapings and histopathology in which many mites were demonstrated. All surviving goats were treated with injectable moxidectin solution 1% (CYDECTIN-Fort Dodge) at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg, applied every 15 days for four times, subcutaneously. Although pruritus had decreased soon after the first treatment, a satisfactory healing of cutaneous lesions was witnessed 6 weeks after the beginning of moxidectin trial. Parasitological cure was achieved in all affected animals by the end of the trial. In the four monthly followups, no evidence of sarcoptic mange could be found

Mycoplasma agalactiae ST35: a new sequence type with a minimal accessory genome primarily affecting goats

Background: Mycoplasma agalactiae, causing agent of contagious agalactia, infects domestic small ruminants such as sheep and goats but also wild Caprinae. M. agalactiae is highly contagious and transmitted through oral, respiratory, and mammary routes spreading rapidly in an infected herd. Results: In an outbreak of contagious agalactia in a mixed herd of sheep and goats, 80% of the goats were affected displaying swollen udders and loss of milk production but no other symptom such as kerato-conjunctivitis, arthritis or pulmonary distress commonly associated to contagious agalactia. Surprisingly, none of the sheep grazing on a common pasture and belonging to the same farm as the goats were affected. Whole genome sequencing and analysis of M. agalactiae strain GrTh01 isolated from the outbreak, revealed a previously unknown sequence type, ST35, and a particularly small, genome size of 841′635 bp when compared to others available in public databases. Overall, GrTh01 displayed a reduced accessory genome, with repertoires of gene families encoding variable surface proteins involved in host-adhesion and variable antigenicity being scaled down. GrTh01 was also deprived of Integrative Conjugative Element or prophage, and had a single IS element, suggesting that GrTh01 has a limited capacity to adapt and evolve. Conclusions: The lack of most of the variable antigens and the Integrative Conjugative Element, both major virulence- and host specificity factors of a M. agalactiae strain isolated from an outbreak affecting particularly goats, indicates the implication of these factors in host specificity. Whole genome sequencing and full assembly of bacterial pathogens provides a most valuable tool for epidemiological and virulence studies of M. agalactiae without experimental infections. Keywords: Mycoplasma agalactiae, Sequence type 35, Goats, Full genome, Contagious agalacti

Illthrift in Suckling Lambs Secondary to Umbilical Infections and Possible Implication of Cryptosporidiosis as a Risk Factor

Illthrift was observed in 20/60 lambs aged 40–45 days in a dairy sheep flock in Greece. Cryptosporidiosis had been diagnosed and successfully treated with halofuginone lactate a month earlier. Parasitological examinations were negative for endoparasites while hematology and biochemistry were unremarkable. Necropsy of 5 lambs revealed lung and liver abscessation, presumably secondary to umbilical infections due to poor farm hygiene, though umbilical lesions were not observed. No new cases were observed following treatment of the umbilicus of newborn lambs with chlorexidine. Although umbilical infections are common, this is the first reported case of illthrift in lambs attributed to umbilical infection; illthrift may be the only clinical manifestation of such infections. The prior presence of cryptosporidiosis may have contributed to the severity of the infection through the reduction of local immunity. Recognition of this possibly underdiagnosed or underappreciated condition may improve medical, production, and welfare standards in the sheep industry

PRNP genetic variability and molecular typing of natural goat scrapie isolates in a high number of infected flocks

One hundred and four scrapie positive and 77 negative goats from 34 Greek mixed flocks were analysed by prion protein gene sequencing and 17 caprine scrapie isolates from 11 flocks were submitted to molecular isolate typing. For the first time, the protective S146 variant was reported in Greece, while the protective K222 variant was detected in negative but also in five scrapie positive goats from heavily infected flocks. By immunoblotting six isolates, including two goat flockmates carrying the K222 variant, showed molecular features slightly different from all other Greek and Italian isolates co-analysed, possibly suggesting the presence of different scrapie strains in Greece

Coxiella burnetii Shedding in Milk and Molecular Typing of Strains Infecting Dairy Cows in Greece

Ruminants are considered the commonest animal reservoir for human infection of Coxiella burnetii, the Q fever causative agent. Considering the recently described importance of human Q fever in Greece, we aimed at providing the first comprehensive direct evidence of C. burnetii in dairy cows in Greece, including the genetic characterization of strains. The 462 examined dairy farms represented all geographical areas of Greece. One bulk tank milk sample was collected from every farm and tested for the presence of C. burnetii. Molecular genotyping of strains, performed directly on samples, revealed the existence of two separate clades characterized by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes of type 1 and type 2. The two clades were clearly distinguished in multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) by two discriminative loci: MS30 and MS28. Whereas MLVA profiles of SNP-type 2 clade were closely related to strains described in other European cattle populations, the MLVA profile observed within the SNP type 1 clade highlighted a peculiar genetic signature for Greece, related to genotypes found in sheep and goats in Europe. The shedding of C. burnetii bearing this genotype might have yet undefined human epidemiological consequences. Surveillance of the genetic distribution of C. burnetii from different sources is needed to fully understand the epidemiology of Q fever in Greece

Ovine and Caprine Toxoplasmosis: Experimental Study

Eighteen mature ewes of the Mytilene breed and 18 mature Local- Damascus crossbred goats, seronegative for Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) by ELISA were used. All animals were mated after synchronization of estrus. On day 90 of pregnancy, animals were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups; 6 ewes (S1) and 6 goats (G1) were orally inoculated by stomach tube with 1000 oocysts; 6 ewes (S2) and 6 goats (G2) were orally inoculated with a non-infected control inoculum. On day 140+2 of pregnancy, the remaining 6 ewes (S3) and 6 goats (G3) were inoculated by stomach tube with 3000 oocysts. Positive T. godii DNA was detected in 94% of fetal and maternal blood, 95% fetal tissue, 89% pre-colostral udder secretions and 12.5% milk samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Infected animals and their live newborns was seropositive (ELISA) until the end of the study. PCR was able to detect T. gondii DNA in maternal blood of infected animals 3-5 days before abortion occurred. This time period may be used to implement preventive and therapeutic measure to reduce abortion rate and associated economic losses. Since milk and milk products are important food sources in rural areas and in many cases it is used unpasteurized before consumption. The T. gondii DNA, detected by PCR in milk samples of infected animals, increases the possibility that the parasite is transmitted through consumption of unpasteurized milk which is a highly relevant result for public health considerations and providing valuable information for future research