Brote de mastitis clínica por Corynebacterium spp. y Streptococcus dysgalactiae en cabras en Salta, Argentina

Las infecciones mamarias son un problema grave para la producción lechera en cabras a nivel mundial. Staphylococcus spp. es el patógeno más prevalente en las infecciones intramamarias de los pequeños rumiantes, sin embargo, es escasa la información acerca de mastitis caprinas en LA Argentina. El objetivo de esta comunicación es describir un brote de mastitis clínica que afectó a 12 de 24 cabras lecheras. Corynebacterium spp. y Streptococus dysgalactiae fueron aislados en forma pura de las muestras de leche. Todos los aislamientos fueron identificados bioquímicamente y sometidos a prueba de sensibilidad antibiótica.Intramammary infections are a serious problem for goat’s milk production worldwide. Staphylococcus spp. are the most prevalent pathogens responsible for intramammary infection in small ruminants; however, there is only little information about goat mastitis in Argentina. The objective of this communication was to describe an outbreak of clinical mastitis affecting 12 of 24 lactating goats. Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were isolated in pure culture from all milk samples. All the clinical isolates were identified by biochemical tests and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests.EEA SaltaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Neder, Veronica Elizabeth. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Nuovo, F. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Victor Humberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Calvinho, Luis Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentin

Lesiones pancreáticas de bovinos infestados naturalmente por Eurytrema coelomaticum

PosterLa euritrematosis bovina es una enfermedad inducida por Eurytrema spp y parece ser endémica en algunas áreas de Misiones. Esta enfermedad es poco conocida en nuestro país y no se comprende completamente su patogenia.Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco SemiáridoFil: Pantiu, Andrea Julia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA).Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Montecarlo; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre Castro, Laura Sabrina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido. Área de Sanidad Animal; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Cáceres, Agustín. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido. Área de Sanidad Animal; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Cáceres, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Cáceres, Agustín. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Olmos, Leandro Hipolito. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido. Área de Sanidad Animal; ArgentinaFil: Ovelar, F. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA).Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Montecarlo; ArgentinaFil: Waidelich, M. Profesional actividad privada; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido. Área de Sanidad Animal; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; Argentin

Hallazgos histopatológicos e histomorfométricos en glándula tiroidea de fetos y neonatos bovinos con bocio congénito

PosterSe define como bocio al agrandamiento no inflamatorio, no neoplásico, de la glándula tiroides. En el Noroeste Argentino(NOA) la causa más frecuente de bocio es la carencia de yodo(I), confrecuencia asociado al déficit de selenio(Se). En este trabajo evaluamos una serie de casos de bocio congénito recibidos durante el periodo 2014-2020 en el laboratorio del Servicio Veterinario Especializado de Diagnóstico INTA-Salta.Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco SemiáridoFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido. Área de Investigación en Salud Animal; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre Castro, Laura Sabrina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre Castro, Laura Sabrina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Cáceres, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Cáceres, Agustín. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Acuña, F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Acuña, F. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C.Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, C. Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP); ArgentinaFil: Moore, Prando Dadin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Moore, Prando Dadin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Disease presence in goat flocks on temperate valleys of Argentina’s Northwest

Una encuesta transversal ad hoc se llevó a cabo en veintitrés majadas caprinas correspondientes a unidades productivas (UP) familiares extensivos (UPF, n=19) y semiintensivas (UPL, n=4) dedicadas a la producción de leche en los valles templados de Salta y Jujuy con el objetivo de describir la presencia de enfermedades en sus majadas. Se recabaron datos del manejo general y sanitario en particular. Se procesaron sueros para el diagnóstico de brucelosis por las pruebas tamiz del antígeno bufferado en placa y confirmadas por polarización fluorescente. Paraparatuberculosis, herpesvirus caprino tipo 1 (CaHV-1), neosporosis y toxoplasmosis se utilizó ELISA indirecto y para leptospirosis microaglutinación. Se determinaron los valores de Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ y Ca2+ sérico por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. En heces, se realizó el recuento de huevos de helmintos por gramo (hpg) y la diferenciación de géneros por coprocultivo. Las UP muestreadas crían en promedio 48,4 ±30,7 (UPF) y 221,3 ±78,7 (UPL) caprinos respectivamente, sin contar los cabritos menores a los 45 días de edad. La cría de las UPF fue extensiva con encierre nocturno y la alimentación sobre pastizal natural mientras que las UPL combinaban pasturas bajo riego con suplementación en base de concentrados. Existen dos períodos de pariciones al año; el principal donde pare casi la totalidad de la majada se localiza desde fines de marzo a fines de septiembre y el segundo período donde pare una menor proporción de cabras se ubica desde septiembre a diciembre. El 94,7% de los productores desparasitaba en forma rutinaria toda la majada y el 75% trataban los piojos. En un 41,2% de las UP se inyectaba mineralizantes-vitamínicos a toda la majada y en solo un 15% vacunaba contra enfermedades Clostridiales. El promedio de la tasa de mortalidad anual fue del 20,1±9,8% y 7,8±3,0% respectivamente en UPF y UPL. En el 100% de las UPF se registró la ocurrencia de abortos, y de estos el 25% presentó retención de placenta. El promedio intramajada de abortos comunicados fue del 14,5 ±11,6%. El 58,8% de las UP declaró tener casos de ectima contagioso. Se registraron un 26,7% cuadros de muertes agudas probablemente por infecciones Clostridiales. En el 93,3% de las UPF se registraron problemas de mastitis. El porcentaje de UP con seroprevalencia positiva a brucelosis, leptospirosis, paratuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis y CpHV-1 fue respectivamente de 0%, 0%, 0%, 73,3%, 40% y 87,5%. Los promedios de los hpg de invierno – primavera y los de verano-otoño fueron respectivamente de 965 y 2859 hpg, con Haemonchus y Trichostrongylus y en menor medida Teladorsagia como nematodes predominantes. En el 31,6% de las UP se diagnosticó Fasciolosis. El 66,7% de las UP describió la presencia, a la faena, de quistes hidatídicos. En un 58% de las majadas se describió bocio. Los promedios por UP de cobre, zinc, magnesio y calcio séricos fueron respectivamente 0,59±0,10 ppm, 0,67±0,05 ppm, 2,30±0,29mg/dl y 8,42±1,92 mg/dl. Sin embargo, para el cobre y el calcio los valores promedios difieren (p<0,05) entre las UPF (0,66±0,08 ppm y 9,36 ±1,85 mg/dl) y las UPL (0,54±0,06 ppm y 7,02±0,76 mg/dl). Un 63,6% de las UP dijo tener intoxicación con cegadera (Heterophyllaea pustulata) y de muertes (50%) en animales jóvenes atribuidas al romerillo (Baccharis coridifolia) y en menor medida a la hediondilla (Cestrum parqui). Un 58,8% de los propietarios declararon tener problemas de pérdidas de animales principalmente por pumas. Estos primeros resultados muestran la importancia de llevar a cabo estudios más específicos respecto de la salud de las majadas para incrementar la producción y el bienestar general de las familias productoras.A cross-sectional survey was performed in 23 goat flocks (UP) of family extensive farming units (UPF) and semi-intensive farming units (UPL) from the temperate valleys of Jujuy and Salta provinces, with the aim of describing disease occurrence in goat flocks. Farmers were subjected to an ad hoc survey to gather data on general management and specific health issues. Sera were processed to diagnose brucellosis using the BPA screening test and positive sera were confirmed by FPA test. Paratuberculosis, caprine herpesvirus 1, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis were tested by indirect ELISA, and leptospirosis by microagglutination test. Serum Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Fecal samples were taken for eggs counts per gram of feaces (epg) and identifying genera by coproculture. UP had on average 48,4 ±30,7 (UPF) y 221,3 ±78,7 (UPL) goats (not including kids). UPF animals are extensively bred, with nocturnal enclosure, and flock feeding is based on grazing the hills and UPL combined pastures under irrigation with concentrate-based supplementation. Kidding is concentrated in two periods: from late March to late September, when almost all the flock kids, and a second minor kid period that was from September to December. Farmers (94,7%) routinely treat all the flock against parasites and the 71,8% treat against lice. The 41,2% of UP provide all the flock with mineral-vitamin mixtures and only the 15, % vaccinated against clostridium diseases. Mean annual mortality rate per flock was 20,1±9,8% and 7,8±3,0% respectively for UPF and UPL. Abortions were recorded in 100% of the UP, 25% with retained placenta. Mean within-flock reported abortions were 14,5 ±11,6%. Contagious echtyma (orf) was detected in 58,8% of the UP and acute deaths probably due to clostridial infections were recorded in 26,7% of the UP. Mastitis-associated problems were recorded in 93,3% of UP. Positive seroprevalence of brucellosis, leptospirosis, paratuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and CpHV-1, in UP was 0%, 25%, 50%, 42,8%, 88,8%, 85,7%, 12,5% and 0% respectively. Mean epg were 965 and 2859 for winter-spring and summer-autumn respectively, with Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus and secondly Teladorsagia being the prevailing nematodes. Fasciola infections were recorded in 31,6% of the UP. The presence of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals were indicated by 66,7% of UP. Signs of goiter were described in 58% of the flocks. Mean serum cooper, zinc, magnesium and calcium per UP were 0,59±0,10 ppm, 0,67±0,05 ppm, 2,30±0,29mg/dl and 8,42±1,92 mg/dl respectively. However cooper and calcium was different (p<0,05) between UPF (0,66±0,08 ppm and 9,36±1,85 mg/dl) and UPL (0,54±0,06 ppm and 7,02±0,76 mg/dl). A 63,6% of the UP reported cases of intoxication by cegadera (Heterophyllaea pustulata) and death (50%) were reported and attributed by farmers to the ingestion of romerillo (Baccharis coridifolia) and secondly of hediondilla (Cestrum parqui) by young animals. Some farmers (58.8%) indicated loss of animals mostly due to the attack by pumas. These first results regarding show the importance of conducting specific studies about the health of flocks in order to increase competitiveness in goat production and the welfare of farming families.Fil: Suarez, Víctor Humberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Dodero, Ana Mariela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Almudevar, F. M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Bertoni, E. A.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Salatin, A. O.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Viñabal, A. E.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Saldaño, R.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, G. M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta-Jujuy. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Fiorentino, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Agencia de Extensión Rural Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Brihuega, Bibiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias Castelar; ArgentinaFil: Romera, Sonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias Castelar; Argentin

Atypical actinobacillosis in bulls in Argentina: granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis

Actinobacillosis is a common cause of sporadic infection in cattle. It was mostly characterized as a pyogranulomatous inflammation of the tongue, but also soft tissues as lymph nodes, other digestive tract localization and skin. The aim of this study was to describe an episode of granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis affecting a bull herd in Argentina during 2010. Actinobacillus lignieresii was isolated from samples collected from one of the affected bulls, and characteristic lesions were observed. Lesions other than 'wooden tongue' are usually uncommon; however, actinobacillosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for cutaneous diseases

Th1 and Th17 hypercytokinemia as early host response signature in severe pandemic influenza

Abstract Introduction Human host immune response following infection with the new variant of A/H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (nvH1N1) is poorly understood. We utilize here systemic cytokine and antibody levels in evaluating differences in early immune response in both mild and severe patients infected with nvH1N1. Methods We profiled 29 cytokines and chemokines and evaluated the haemagglutination inhibition activity as quantitative and qualitative measurements of host immune responses in serum obtained during the first five days after symptoms onset, in two cohorts of nvH1N1 infected patients. Severe patients required hospitalization (n = 20), due to respiratory insufficiency (10 of them were admitted to the intensive care unit), while mild patients had exclusively flu-like symptoms (n = 15). A group of healthy donors was included as control (n = 15). Differences in levels of mediators between groups were assessed by using the non parametric U-Mann Whitney test. Association between variables was determined by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient. Viral load was performed in serum by using real-time PCR targeting the neuraminidase gene. Results Increased levels of innate-immunity mediators (IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1β), and the absence of anti-nvH1N1 antibodies, characterized the early response to nvH1N1 infection in both hospitalized and mild patients. High systemic levels of type-II interferon (IFN-γ) and also of a group of mediators involved in the development of T-helper 17 (IL-8, IL-9, IL-17, IL-6) and T-helper 1 (TNF-α, IL-15, IL-12p70) responses were exclusively found in hospitalized patients. IL-15, IL-12p70, IL-6 constituted a hallmark of critical illness in our study. A significant inverse association was found between IL-6, IL-8 and PaO2 in critical patients. Conclusions While infection with the nvH1N1 induces a typical innate response in both mild and severe patients, severe disease with respiratory involvement is characterized by early secretion of Th17 and Th1 cytokines usually associated with cell mediated immunity but also commonly linked to the pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. The exact role of Th1 and Th17 mediators in the evolution of nvH1N1 mild and severe disease merits further investigation as to the detrimental or beneficial role these cytokines play in severe illness

Viral RNA load in plasma is associated with critical illness and a dysregulated host response in COVID‑19

Background. COVID-19 can course with respiratory and extrapulmonary disease. SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected in respiratory samples but also in blood, stool and urine. Severe COVID-19 is characterized by a dysregulated host response to this virus. We studied whether viral RNAemia or viral RNA load in plasma is associated with severe COVID-19 and also to this dysregulated response. Methods. A total of 250 patients with COVID-19 were recruited (50 outpatients, 100 hospitalized ward patients and 100 critically ill). Viral RNA detection and quantification in plasma was performed using droplet digital PCR, targeting the N1 and N2 regions of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein gene. The association between SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and viral RNA load in plasma with severity was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. Correlations between viral RNA load and biomarkers evidencing dysregulation of host response were evaluated by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficients. Results. The frequency of viral RNAemia was higher in the critically ill patients (78%) compared to ward patients (27%) and outpatients (2%) (p < 0.001). Critical patients had higher viral RNA loads in plasma than non-critically ill patients, with non-survivors showing the highest values. When outpatients and ward patients were compared, viral RNAemia did not show significant associations in the multivariate analysis. In contrast, when ward patients were compared with ICU patients, both viral RNAemia and viral RNA load in plasma were associated with critical illness (OR [CI 95%], p): RNAemia (3.92 [1.183–12.968], 0.025), viral RNA load (N1) (1.962 [1.244–3.096], 0.004); viral RNA load (N2) (2.229 [1.382–3.595], 0.001). Viral RNA load in plasma correlated with higher levels of chemokines (CXCL10, CCL2), biomarkers indicative of a systemic inflammatory response (IL-6, CRP, ferritin), activation of NK cells (IL-15), endothelial dysfunction (VCAM-1, angiopoietin-2, ICAM-1), coagulation activation (D-Dimer and INR), tissue damage (LDH, GPT), neutrophil response (neutrophils counts, myeloperoxidase, GM-CSF) and immunodepression (PD-L1, IL-10, lymphopenia and monocytopenia). Conclusions. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and viral RNA load in plasma are associated with critical illness in COVID-19. Viral RNA load in plasma correlates with key signatures of dysregulated host responses, suggesting a major role of uncontrolled viral replication in the pathogenesis of this disease.This work was supported by awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rapid Research Funding initiative (CIHR OV2 – 170357), Research Nova Scotia (DJK), Atlantic Genome/Genome Canada (DJK), Li-Ka Shing Foundation (DJK), Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DJK), the “Subvenciones de concesión directa para proyectos y programas de investigación del virus SARS‐CoV2, causante del COVID‐19”, FONDO–COVID19, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00110, CIBERES, 06/06/0028), (AT) and fnally by the “Convocatoria extraordinaria y urgente de la Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León, para la fnanciación de proyectos de investigación en enfermedad COVID-19” (GRS COVID 53/A/20) (CA). DJK is a recipient of the Canada Research Chair in Translational Vaccinology and Infammation. APT was funded by the Sara Borrell Research Grant CD018/0123 funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-fnanced by the European Development Regional Fund (A Way to Achieve Europe programme). The funding sources did not play any role neither in the design of the study and collection, not in the analysis, in the interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript

Plants causing poisoning outbreaks of livestock in South America: A review

This paper reviews toxic plants for livestock in South America. We included 219 plants in this review, considering only the plants that caused at least one demonstrated outbreak of poisoning. Plants reported as toxic in other regions and present in South America, but with no confirmed outbreaks of poisoning in this region, are not included. We report the main aspects of the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology and economical importance of the poisonings. Initially, the toxic plants are described based on their toxic compounds, but because the toxic compound is unknown in 92 (42%) of the plants we also classify them according to the affected system. This review highlights the great diversity of toxic plants capable of affecting livestock in South America, and for this reason studies in this regard should be intensified

Digital dermatitis in feedlot steers: description of two outbreaks in Northwestern Argentina

Digital Dermatitis (DD) is a podal condition of worldwide distribution. Like other diseases that affect the bovine foot, it induces obvious lameness, with consequent productive and economic losses. It is commonly described in dairy cattle and descriptions in beef cattle are scarce. In this paper, two DD outbreaks are described in steers from feed-lot in the Argentine Northwest. Emphasis is given to more relevant aspects of clinical, epidemiological, pathological and diagnostic findings. The incidence was 5 and 35%. Lesions are typically identified in the palmar area of ​​the hind limbs, and a necrotizing dermatitis with neutrophil infiltrate was observed histopathologically. By Warthin-Starry staining was identified an intralesional spirochetes in 50% (4/8) of collected samples

Outbreak of fescue foot in a livestock in Salta, Argentina

Festuca arundinacea is a perennial grass which use as forage is widespread worldwide. This report describes a “fescue foot” outbreak in the Northwest of Argentina. Beef cattle herd were affected and the incidence was 5%. The clinical signs were claudication, edema in the limbs, gangrene in the extremities and exungulation. The grazing areas where the animals remained corresponded to a natural batch of fescue. Neotyphodium coenophialum infestation level was 71%. The clinical presentation of fescue root is well described but barely reported in Argentina. In the outbreak presented here diagnosis was confirmed by the clinical and epidemiological antecedents as well as the high level of infestation of the pasture. The toxicity of fescue is a worldwide distributed problem. In Argentina, the disease is well known in the central region of the country. Scarce information is available regarding the toxicity of this species for northwestern Argentina