Pathogenicity of Bibersteinia trehalosi in bovine calves

Introduction - Bibersteinia trehalosi has been associated with respiratory disease in ruminants particularly in wild and domestic sheep. Recently, there has been an increased interest in B. trehalosi isolates obtained from diagnostic samples from bovine respiratory disease cases. This study evaluated the role of B. trehalosi in the bovine respiratory disease complex using an intra-tracheal inoculation model in calves. This study also evaluated the potential of haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) serum concentrations as a useful diagnostic tool in calves affected with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica associated respiratory disease. Materials and Methods - Thirty-five cross-bred dairy steers were inoculated intra-tracheally with either leukotoxin negative or leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi, Mannheimia haemolytica, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica, or negative control. Physical examinations were conducted and serum samples were collected throughout the study. Calves were euthanized and necropsies performed on day 10 of the study. Results - No significant differences were found between the groups of calves challenged with B. trehalosi alone or in conjunction with M. haemolytica and the negative control calves with respect to percent lung involvement, rectal temperature, respiratory or depression score, or serum Hp or Hp-MMP 9 concentration in this study. M. haemolytica inoculated calves, but not B. trehalosi inoculated calves had increased lung involvement compared to control calves. B. trehalosi was only cultured once from the lungs of inoculated calves at necropsy. Increases in serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations for the M. haemolytica group became significantly different from other groups on day 7. The leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi group demonstrated increased serum Hp-MMP 9 concentrations on days 3-10 compared to pre-inoculation concentrations. Conclusions - Based on these findings B. trehalosi may not be a primary pathogen of respiratory disease in cattle. Culture of B. trehalosi from diagnostic submissions should not be immediately identified as a primary cause of respiratory disease. Serum Hp-MMP 9 concentration is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting early pulmonary inflammation in calves challenged with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica. Serum Hp-MMP 9 may also be a useful tool in detecting subclinical pulmonary inflammation in challenged calves

Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Pathogenicity of Bibersteinia trehalosi in Respiratory Disease among Calves

Bibersteinia trehalosi causes respiratory disease in ruminants particularly in wild and domestic sheep. Recently, there has been an increased number of B. trehalosi isolates obtained from diagnostic samples from bovine respiratory disease cases. This study evaluated the role of B. trehalosi in bovine respiratory disease using an intra-tracheal inoculation model in calves. Thirty six cross bred 2–3 month old dairy calves were inoculated intra-tracheally with either leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi, leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi isolate, Mannheimia haemolytica, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica or negative control. Calves were euthanized and necropsy performed on day 10 of study. B. trehalosi inoculated calves did not have increased lung involvement compared to control calves. Additionally, B. trehalosiwas only cultured once from the lungs of inoculated calves at necropsy. Based on these findings B. trehalosi may not be a primary pathogen of respiratory disease in cattle. Culture of B. trehalosifrom diagnostic submissions should not be immediately identified as a primary cause of respiratory disease

Revisiting the role of swine on the risk of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) transmission in the United States: a rapid systematic review of the literature

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is an emerging, zoonotic disease transmitted primarily by Culex species mosquitoes (particularly Culex tritaeniorhynchus) carrying the flavivirus Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Japanese encephalitis virus maintains its life cycle between mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts, primarily pigs and wading birds (Le Flohic et al., 2013). In humans, JEV infection causes inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) that can cause fever, headache, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal pain, confusion, seizures, and, in some cases, death (Fischer et al., 2012; Hills et al., 2014). The global incidence of JE is uncertain. Effectivity and quality of JE surveillance in endemic countries vary (Jayatilleke et al. 2020), as does availability of diagnostic testing throughout the world. In 2006, the WHO published a position paper on JE vaccines reporting an annual estimation of at least 50,000 new JE cases among those living in countries considered endemic. Campbell et al. (2011) updated prior estimations and predicted a global incidence of JE cases to be nearly 67,900 per year. Most recently, Quan et al. (2020) reported a global estimation of JE incidence of approximately 100,000 per year. Among all clinical cases, children under the age of 10 comprise the majority affected (WHO, 2006). Whereas less than 1% of the cases are accompanied by symptoms, 30% of the symptomatic cases are fatal (Campbell et al., 2011). Furthermore, JE is an untreatable and incurable disease that, once introduced in a community, can lead to devastating economic and health impacts. The United States (US) is considered a susceptible region with great potential for JEV introduction. The availability of competent vectors, susceptible maintenance hosts (avian), intensive travel and trade activities to and from JEV-affected countries, areas with similar climatic and environmental conditions to countries where the virus is epidemic, and large populations of susceptible, amplifying hosts (domestic and feral pigs), makes the US the perfect next-stop in the JEV travel itinerary. In fact, the US is the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of pork and pork products (USDA - ERS). The size of the swine industry in the US can not only be positively correlated with the ability of this virus to invade and establish itself, but also to the impact that an incursion would cause to the economy and the populations’ health. As pigs are considered the main amplifying host of JEV, an extensive review of the literature and identification of knowledge gaps may guide researchers, stakeholders, and policy makers on effort prioritization, development of precautionary intervention measures (to prevent JEV introduction), and evaluation of disease control measures (in case of JEV incursion). Although current conditions have not been favorable for JEV to establish in the US, increases in international trade and globalization, as well as changes in climate and land use, and reductions in pesticide use, can contribute to its rapid and wide geographical spread (Oliveira et al., 2018). A good understanding of the role of swine as an amplifying host for this virus is critical to public health authorities when planning and executing interventions to control the spread of JEV. Therefore, our objectives are 1) to investigate the role of swine on the risk of JEV transmission in the US as an effort for preparedness in the case of an introduction, and 2) to identify knowledge gaps that may serve as a guide to future research efforts

Pathogenicity of Bibersteinia trehalosi in bovine calves

Introduction - Bibersteinia trehalosi has been associated with respiratory disease in ruminants particularly in wild and domestic sheep. Recently, there has been an increased interest in B. trehalosi isolates obtained from diagnostic samples from bovine respiratory disease cases. This study evaluated the role of B. trehalosi in the bovine respiratory disease complex using an intra-tracheal inoculation model in calves. This study also evaluated the potential of haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) serum concentrations as a useful diagnostic tool in calves affected with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica associated respiratory disease. Materials and Methods - Thirty-five cross-bred dairy steers were inoculated intra-tracheally with either leukotoxin negative or leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi, Mannheimia haemolytica, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica, or negative control. Physical examinations were conducted and serum samples were collected throughout the study. Calves were euthanized and necropsies performed on day 10 of the study. Results - No significant differences were found between the groups of calves challenged with B. trehalosi alone or in conjunction with M. haemolytica and the negative control calves with respect to percent lung involvement, rectal temperature, respiratory or depression score, or serum Hp or Hp-MMP 9 concentration in this study. M. haemolytica inoculated calves, but not B. trehalosi inoculated calves had increased lung involvement compared to control calves. B. trehalosi was only cultured once from the lungs of inoculated calves at necropsy. Increases in serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations for the M. haemolytica group became significantly different from other groups on day 7. The leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi group demonstrated increased serum Hp-MMP 9 concentrations on days 3-10 compared to pre-inoculation concentrations. Conclusions - Based on these findings B. trehalosi may not be a primary pathogen of respiratory disease in cattle. Culture of B. trehalosi from diagnostic submissions should not be immediately identified as a primary cause of respiratory disease. Serum Hp-MMP 9 concentration is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting early pulmonary inflammation in calves challenged with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica. Serum Hp-MMP 9 may also be a useful tool in detecting subclinical pulmonary inflammation in challenged calves.</p

Evaluation of an Interactive Workshop Designed to Teach Practical Welfare Techniques to Beef Cattle Caretakers and Decision Makers

The purpose of the project was to evaluate the use of an interactive workshop designed to teach novel practical welfare techniques to beef cattle caretakers and decision makers. Following training, respondents reported being more likely to use or recommend use of local anesthesia for dehorning and castration and were more inclined to use meloxicam for pain management. Respondents also reported improvement in performing all skills taught in the workshop. These results suggest instructional techniques used to teach practical concepts/techniques relevant to beef cattle welfare led to improvements in both perceived competency and estimated likelihood that the material will be used. Introduction Adult learner

Serum Concentrations of Haptoglobin and Haptoglobin-Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) Complexes of Bovine Calves in a Bacterial Respiratory Challenge Model

Serum haptoglobin (Hp) and haptoglobin matrix metalloproteinase 9 complexes (Hp-MMP 9) have been identified as biomarkers with diagnostic potential in cattle with conditions resulting in an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential diagnostic applications of serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations in calves with BRD and establish a timeline for their detection in calves experimentally challenged with Bibersteinia trehalosi and Mannheimia haemolytica. Thirty-five cross bred dairy calves were inoculated via tracheal catheterization with either a PCR confirmed leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi isolate, a PCR confirmed leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi isolate, a Mannheimia haemolyticaisolate, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica, or a negative control. Serum samples were collected throughout the study. Calves were euthanized and necropsy performed on day 10 post inoculation. M. haemolytica inoculated calves had increased lung involvement. Serum Hp and Hp- MMP 9 concentrations were elevated compared to the other treatment groups. Increases in serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations for the M. haemolyticagroup were significantly different from other study groups on day 7 of the study. B. trehalosi inoculated calves did not have increased lung involvement compared to control calves, but the leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi group demonstrated increased serum Hp-MMP 9 concentrations from day 3 to the end of the study compared to the pre-inoculation concentrations. Serum Hp-MMP 9 concentration is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting early pulmonary inflammation in calves challenged with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica. Serum Hp-MMP 9 may also be a useful tool in detecting subclinical pulmonary inflammation in challenged calves.This article is from BMC Veterinary Research 10 (2014): 285, doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0285-5. Posted with permission.</p

Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Pathogenicity of Bibersteinia trehalosi in Respiratory Disease among Calves

Bibersteinia trehalosi causes respiratory disease in ruminants particularly in wild and domestic sheep. Recently, there has been an increased number of B. trehalosi isolates obtained from diagnostic samples from bovine respiratory disease cases. This study evaluated the role of B. trehalosi in bovine respiratory disease using an intra-tracheal inoculation model in calves. Thirty six cross bred 2–3 month old dairy calves were inoculated intra-tracheally with either leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi, leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi isolate, Mannheimia haemolytica, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica or negative control. Calves were euthanized and necropsy performed on day 10 of study. B. trehalosi inoculated calves did not have increased lung involvement compared to control calves. Additionally, B. trehalosiwas only cultured once from the lungs of inoculated calves at necropsy. Based on these findings B. trehalosi may not be a primary pathogen of respiratory disease in cattle. Culture of B. trehalosifrom diagnostic submissions should not be immediately identified as a primary cause of respiratory disease.This article is from BMC Veterinary Research 10 (2014): 89, doi:10.1186/1746-6148-10-89. Posted with permission.</p

Evaluation of an Interactive Workshop Designed to Teach Practical Welfare Techniques to Beef Cattle Caretakers and Decision Makers

The purpose of the project was to evaluate the use of an interactive workshop designed to teach novel practical welfare techniques to beef cattle caretakers and decision makers. Following training, respondents reported being more likely to use or recommend use of local anesthesia for dehorning and castration and were more inclined to use meloxicam for pain management. Respondents also reported improvement in performing all skills taught in the workshop. These results suggest instructional techniques used to teach practical concepts/techniques relevant to beef cattle welfare led to improvements in both perceived competency and estimated likelihood that the material will be used.This article is from Journal of Extension 53 (2015): 4IAW8. Posted with permission.</p

Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) complexes of bovine calves in a bacterial respiratory challenge model

Serum haptoglobin (Hp) and haptoglobin matrix metalloproteinase 9 complexes (Hp-MMP 9) have been identified as biomarkers with diagnostic potential in cattle with conditions resulting in an acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential diagnostic applications of serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations in calves with BRD and establish a timeline for their detection in calves experimentally challenged with Bibersteinia trehalosi and Mannheimia haemolytica. Thirty-five cross bred dairy calves were inoculated via tracheal catheterization with either a PCR confirmed leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi isolate, a PCR confirmed leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi isolate, a Mannheimia haemolyticaisolate, a combination of leukotoxin negative B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica, or a negative control. Serum samples were collected throughout the study. Calves were euthanized and necropsy performed on day 10 post inoculation. M. haemolytica inoculated calves had increased lung involvement. Serum Hp and Hp- MMP 9 concentrations were elevated compared to the other treatment groups. Increases in serum Hp and Hp-MMP 9 concentrations for the M. haemolyticagroup were significantly different from other study groups on day 7 of the study. B. trehalosi inoculated calves did not have increased lung involvement compared to control calves, but the leukotoxin positive B. trehalosi group demonstrated increased serum Hp-MMP 9 concentrations from day 3 to the end of the study compared to the pre-inoculation concentrations. Serum Hp-MMP 9 concentration is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting early pulmonary inflammation in calves challenged with B. trehalosi and M. haemolytica. Serum Hp-MMP 9 may also be a useful tool in detecting subclinical pulmonary inflammation in challenged calves