Using roquefortine C as a biomarker for penitrem A intoxication in a beef herd

Fifteen grazing beef cattle and calves presented a history of neurological signs like ataxia, intentional head tremors, muscle twitching. Nervous ketosis, nervous BVD, BHV-1,5, tremorgenic intoxication from hay, and Listeriosis were considered as differential diagnosis. Blood samples were collected. Inspection of hay bales showed large white dusty and moldy areas. Samples were taken and analyzed. Altered hay was immediately removed in all animals’ stock. No alterations were found in blood tests. Food analysis showed high concentrations of Roquefortine C (RC) (345 μg/kg DM). Tremorgenic syndrome has been reported in Penitrem A (PA) intoxication, but PA is difficult to isolate in laboratory conditions. Both RC and PA are produced by Penicillum spp. RC has been associated with PA in tremorgenic toxicosis in dogs and it might be considered a valuable diagnostic marker for PA intoxication. The neurological signs were due to tremorgenic intoxication after feeding of spoiled forage contaminated with mycotoxines

Multivariate factor analysis of milk fatty acid composition in relation to the somatic cell count of single udder quarters

The present study investigated whether the fatty acid composition of milk changes in relation to an increase in the milk somatic cell count (SCC) of separate udder quarters. We investigated the potential of multivariate factor analysis to extract metabolic evidence from data on the quantity and quality of milk of quarters characterized by different SCC levels. We collected data from individual milk samples taken from single quarters of 49 Italian Holstein cows from the same dairy farm. Factor analysis was carried out on 64 individual fatty acids. In line with a previous study on multivariate factor analysis, a variable was considered to be associated with a specific factor if the absolute value of its correlation with the factor was ≥0.60. Seven factors were extracted that explained the following groups of fatty acids or functions: de novo synthesis, energy balance, uptake of dietary fatty acids, biohydrogenation, short-chain fatty acids, very long chain fatty acids, and odd- and branched-chain fatty acids. An ANOVA of factor scores highlighted the significant effects of the SCC level on de novo fatty acids and biohydrogenation. The de novo fatty acid factor decreased significantly with a high level of SCC, from just 10,000 cells/mL, whereas the biohydrogenation factor showed a significantly higher level in quarters with SCC levels greater than 400,000 cells/mL. This statistical approach enabled us to reduce the number of variables to a few latent factors with biological significance and to represent groups of fatty acids with a common origin and function. Multivariate factor analysis could therefore be key to studying the influence of SCC on the lipid metabolism of single quarters. This approach also demonstrated the metabolic differences between quarters of the same animal showing a different level of SCC

Procjena kritičnih točaka lezija papaka u mliječnih krava: preliminarno istraživanje novog sustava bodovanja

Lameness is a serious animal welfare and production issue in the modern dairy herds. The development of a scoring system that is able to categorize the farm on the basis of its hazard risk level may help clinicians and farmers to identify potential issues and to reduce costs caused by lameness. The aim of this study was to develop an easy and fast score for evaluation of the structural and managerial factors potentially involved in the pathogenesis of foot lesions, and categorization of dairy farms. A total of six free-stall dairy farms were evaluated during a 3 month-period. The score developed in this study was composed of evaluation of the housing system, flooring, the farm design, the use of footbaths, the frequency of hoof trimming, and the continuing education of the employers. For each parameter, a score of 0 to 2 was assigned where the score 0 meant the least appropriate condition, the score 2 represented the best. The Farm Score showed a significant correlation with foot lesion prevalence (P = 0.0011, R2 0.94) and with the theoretical assessment of additional cost per animal (P = 0.001, R2 0.95). The significant correlation between the Farm Score, the foot lesion prevalence and the theoretical assessment of additional costs per animal may underline the potential usefulness of the score designed in this study. The Farm Score may be considered as a cheap and fast way to evaluate the hazard risk level for claw health on a dairy farm.U mliječnim je stadima hromost danas važno pitanje dobrobiti i proizvodnje životinja. Razvoj sustava bodovanja za kategorizaciju farmi na temelju razine rizika od hromosti može pomoći kliničarima, odnosno stočarima, pri utvrđivanju potencijalnih problema i smanjenju troškova uzrokovanih tom bolešću. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je razviti jednostavan i brz sustav za procjenu strukturnih i upravljačkih čimbenika u proizvodnji koji bi mogli biti uključeni u patogenezu lezija papaka i poslužiti za kategorizaciju mliječnih farmi. Tijekom tri mjeseca istraživano je ukupno šest mliječnih farmi sa slobodnim načinom držanja. Sustav bodovanja farmi uspostavljen u ovom istraživanju uključivao je nastambe za životinje, podove, organizaciju farme, upotrebu kupki za papke, učestalost obrade papaka i kontinuiranom edukaciju zaposlenika. Svakom je pokazatelju dodijeljen bod od 0 do 2, pri čemu 0 označuje najmanje prikladno stanje, a 2 najbolje stanje. Sustav bodovanja na farmi pokazao je znakovit odnos sa prevalencijom lezija papaka (P = 0,0011, R2 0,94) kao i sa teoretskom procjenom dodatnih troškova po životinji (P = 0,001, R2 0,95). Navedeno naglašava potencijalnu korist sustava bodovanja uspostavljenog u ovom istraživanju kao jeftinog i brzog načina procjene razine rizika za zdravlje papaka na mliječnim farmama

Designing statistical models for holstein rearing heifers’ weight estimation from birth to 15 months old using body measurements

Body measurements could be used to estimate body weight (BW) with no need for a scale. The aim was to estimate heifers weight based on their body dimension characteristics. Twenty-five Holstein heifers represent the study group (SG); another 13 animals were evaluated as a validation group (VG). All the heifers were weighed (BW) and their wither height (WH), shin circumference (SC), heart girth circumference (HG), body length (BL), hip width (HW) and body condition score (BCS) were measured immediately after birth, and then weekly until 2 months and monthly until 15 months old. Equations were built with a stepwise regression in order to estimate the BW at each time using body measures for the SG. A linear regression was applied to evaluate the relationship between the estimated BW and the real BW. Equations found were to be statistically significant (r2 = 0.688 to 0.894; p < 0.0001). Three variables or fewer were needed for BW estimation a total of 11/23 times. Regression analysis indicated that the use of HG was promising in all the equations built for BW estimation. These models were feasible in the field; further studies will evaluate possible modifications to our equations based on different growing rate targets

Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve calcification with carotid intima media thickness

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aortic annular calcification (AVC) may represent a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis in the elederly. Alterations in vascular structure, as indexed by the intima media thickness (IMT), are also recognized as independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. AIM: To examine the relationship between the degree of calcification at mitral and/or aortic valve annulus and large artery structure (thickness). METHODS: We evaluated 102 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and carotid artery echoDoppler for various indications; variables measured were: systemic blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP=SBP-DBP), body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, total, HDL, LDL chlolesterol, triglycerides, cIMT. The patients were divided according to a grading of valvular/annular lesions independent scores based on acoustic densitometry: 1 = annular/valvular sclerosis/calcification absence; 2 = annular/valvular sclerosis; 3 = annular calcification; 4 = annular-valvular calcification; 5 = valvular calcification with no recognition of the leaflets. RESULTS: Patient score was the highest observed for either valvular/annulus. Mean cIMT increased linearly with increasing valvular calcification score, ranging from 3.9 ± 0.48 mm in controls to 12.9 ± 1.8 mm in those subjects scored 5 (p < 0.0001). In the first to fourth quartile of cIMT values the respective maximal percentual of score were: score 1: 76.1%, score 2: 70.1%, score 4: 54.3% and score 5: 69.5% (p > 0.0001). CONCLUSION: MAC and AVC score can identify subgroups of patients with different cIMT values which indicate different incidence and prevalence of systemic artery diseases. This data may confirm MAC-AVC as a useful important diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease

A case of pediculosis in a beef herd.

An owner called for hair loss and itching in his beef herd since the last three weeks. Thirty animals were in good general conditions, with a body condition score (BCS) in line with the age and the breed (average BCS 3.5/5), ten animals showed poor coat texture and a BCS &lt; 2.5. The animals were kept into a too small area and dirty pens are with bad natural-lighting. Several fighting has been observed. Some animals were seen waiting for eating. All the animals presented itching, alopecia on head and neck. The animals looked nervous and stressed. Differential diagnosis included pediculosis, mange and parasitic gastroenteritis for animals with poor BCS. Blood, fecal and hair samples were collected in order to evaluate anemia, GI parasites and infestation. In 12/20 cattle sampled, many nuts, nymphs and adult lice were found on microscopic examination, in 8/20 cattle only lice nuts have been visualized. Based on the ratio head:thorax and on the head shape, lice have been identified as Anoplura. The identification of the species resulted in Solenopotes capillatus, because Solenopes spp. presented tubercles carrying spiracles that project from abdominal segments. Solenopotes capillattus is also known as “Little blue cattle louse” and is the most common Solenopotes spp. species that could be found in bovine. No other ectoparasites were found. Microematocrit and TP were normal in all animals. Feces were negative for endoparasites. The owner was strongly encouraged to decrease the number of animals per pen in order to decrease the direct physical contact and the stress due to fighting and feeding competition. Also, removing some of the cover materials and a better storage of the hay, might lead to a better illumination of the all area. Natural lighting not only improves cattle welfare, but directly acts against lice. As soon as the sunlight becomes stronger, lice may lose their comfortable environmental inside the winter hairs (9-11). Another critical point was the cleanness of the pen. Dirty and moisty environmental might increase lice infestation, thus not only a disinfection with specific products, but also providing clean and dry environmental to animals was recommended to the owner. Treatment was made by application of deltamethrin at a dosage of 10 ml/500 kg of body weight. At the follow up the fattening area looked well illuminated. The pens had been cleaned and the animals were organized in the 10 pens (3-4 animals per pen). All the animals presented better condition and looked less stressed. Their coat was less dry and scaly but still presented some alopecia in the most of affected animals. Animals kept under extensive management system were more likely at risk for lice infestation than because poor feeding, overcrowded and stress might occur. This case underlines the importance of good environmental conditions and hygiene, which reduce stress and predisposes less to lice infections

Antimicrobial resistance of mastitis environmental pathogens.

Cow mastitis induces milk losses, lower milk quality, higher treatment costs and increased probability of premature culling and death. Mastitis pathogens can be classified as contagious pathogens (i.e. S. agalactiae, S. aureus and M. spp) and environmental pathogens (S. uberis, S. dysgalactiae, E. coli and Klebsiella spp), the latter being an indicator of poor management of the herd. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of environmental mastitis pathogens and their profile of sensitivity and resistance to antimicrobials in milk samples collected from 392 quarters of 98 lactating Holstein Fresian cows. Animals evaluation and milk sampling were done during the milking session. California Mastitis Test (CMT) score was performed for each quarter before the milking routine. Sterile milk samples were collected from each quarter for bacteriological examination from 176 (out of 392) CMT positive quarters. Fifty-three milk samples out of 176 CMT positive were positive at bacteriological examination. Environmental pathogens were found in 34 samples, 14 were positive to S. uberis and 20 to E. coli. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity and classified as resistant, susceptible or intermediate according to CLSI standard. Isolates which showed intermediate susceptibility were classified as resistant. Four/20 (20%) E. coli isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial tested, while resistance to 5 and 6 antimicrobials was observed in 20% (4/20) and 60% (12/20) of the isolates, respectively. None of S. uberis isolates was susceptible to all the tested antimicrobial while resistance to 6, 7, 8 and 12 antimicrobials was observed in 43.0% (6/14), 14.3% (2/14), 14.3% (2/14) and 28.6 % (4/14) of isolates, respectively. The presence of environmental pathogens and the patterns of resistance observed in this study suggest the importance of bacterial identification and sensitivity tests as criterion to choose the correct antimicrobial therapy