Evaluation of the epidemiological importance of classical swine fever infected, E2 sub-unit marker vaccinated animals with RT-nPCR positive blood samples

&lt;p&gt;It has been demonstrated that pigs that have been double vaccinated with an E2 sub-unit marker vaccine and that are infected with classical swine fever virus (CSFV) through a natural contact infection may react positive in a CSFV detecting RT-nPCR test, whereas no virus could be isolated by using the conventional virus isolation (VI) technique. To evaluate whether these vaccinated and infected pigs may spread the virus, three experiments were set up. In the first, susceptible pigs were inoculated with serum originating from vaccinated RT-nPCR positive pigs. In the second, vaccinated RT-nPCR positive pigs were brought into contact with sentinel animals. In the third, vertical transmission was evaluated in RT-nPCR positive vaccinated pregnant gilts. In the first two experiments, no proof of virus transmission was found, whereas in the third vertical transmission was observed. The conclusion is that in vaccinated pigs that are positive in RT-nPCR but negative in VI, the level of circulating virus is probably not high enough for horizontal transmission, whereas vertical transmission of the virus is possible.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Multicentric B-cell lymphoma in a pygmy goat

A six-year-old, male pygmy goat was referred with a sudden onset of peripheral lymphadenopathy, which initially started as enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. Clinical examination showed swollen retropharyngeal, prescapular and inguinal lymph nodes. Serologic testing for bovine leukemia, caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus and caseous lymphadenitis was negative. Fine needle aspirates of the prescapular lymph nodes were taken and revealed multiple, large lymphoblastic cells on cytology. Because of the poor prognosis and clinical deterioration, the animal was euthanized. Full necropsy was performed and showed generalized lymphadenopathy. Further histological and immunohistochemical investigation of the lymph nodes characterized this neoplasia as a multicentric large B-cell lymphoma

An outbreak of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever in sows

his paper describes a case of malignant catarrhal fever in a sow herd in Belgium caused by infection with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2). The 11 affected sows had high fever and 10 of them died within 3 days after the onset of clinical disease. The most prominent macroscopic lesion was a hemorrhagic to pseudo-membranous gastritis. Histopathology revealed severe infiltration and necrosis of the gastric mucosa. Neither antimicrobial treatment nor injection with anti-inflammatory drugs ameliorated the severity of the disease. As the sows and sheep were housed in the same building with the possibility of having direct nose-to-nose contact, and as PCR testing showed that the virus found in the sows was identical to that found in the sheep, it is very likely that the infection was transmitted from the subclinically infected sheep to the sows. The present case showed that OHV-2 infection should be included in the differential diagnosis when facing problems of fever followed by death, especially when pigs are housed in close contact with sheep

De techniek van de keizersnede bij het rund zoals uitgevoerd door Vlaamse dierenartsen

For approximately 50 years the caesarean section has been carried out in Belgium. Over the years the technique has changed and has been improved several times. At present caesarean sections are carried out as a routine operation due to the evolution of the Belgian Blue breed. In this study the differences in protocol, materials and surgical techniques used by the veterinary surgeons have been examined by means of a questionnaire on the not-complicated caesarean section. In general there are differences between the methods applied by the veterinarians, but the majority of these differences, for example the choice of disinfectants or antibiotics, hardly influence the results of caesarean section. However, leaving out some particular steps in the operation procedure, such as vaginal examination, can lead to an inferior result. The risks of leaving out these particular steps are also discussed. The main reasons for choosing specific operation techniques or operation materials are time constraints, the level of experience of the practitioner and the costs of the materials used

Bioveiligheid op varkensbedrijven: ontwikkeling van een online scoresysteem en de resultaten van de eerste 99 deelnemende bedrijven

Biosecurity includes all measures to prevent pathogens from entering a herd and to reduce the spread of infections within the herd in order to keep the animals 'healthy' To quantify the biosecurity status of a pig herd, a scoring system has been developed This system quantifies all aspects of both external and internal biosecurity taking into account their relative importance in infectious disease transmission This makes it possible to follow up herds over time and it can motivate the farmer to improve the biosecurity status of his herd This scoring system was implemented in a website and can be freely filled in online From December 2008 to August 2009, 99 pig farmers voluntarily filled in the questionnaire The average score for external biosecurity is 65/100 and the average score for internal biosecurity is 50/100. There are big differences between the scores of different farms The results also show that on 92% of the herds the score for external biosecurity is higher than the score for internal biosecurity These results indicate that there is room for Improvement in many of the herds, especially with regard to internal biosecurity

Use of a national identification database to determine the lifetime prognosis in cattle with necrotic laryngitis and the predictive value of venous pCO2

Background: Necrotic laryngitis, caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, frequently requires surgical intervention (laryngostomy) in the chronic stage. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine survival until slaughter of cattle surgically treated for necrotic laryngitis and to identify predictors of mortality. Animals: A total of 221 cattle diagnosed with necrotic laryngitis by laryngoscopy and surgically treated Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Clinical records were matched with the national cattle identification, registration, and movement database. Information on possible predictors including clinical examination, biochemistry, and surgery was collected. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify predictors of mortality. Results: The overall survival rate was 65.2% and 58.6% of the animals with a completed life cycle could be slaughtered. Animals <6 months old experienced significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.5). The venous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO(2); HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.2) at a 64.5 mm Hg cut-off was most significantly associated with mortality. Sensitivity and specificity of the final model consisting of age and pCO(2) were 49.1 and 86.4%, respectively. Instead of pCO(2), total carbon dioxide (TCO2) could also be used, with similar diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The lifetime prognosis for chronic necrotic laryngitis in cattle with surgical intervention appears fair. Age, venous pCO(2) and TCO2 are easily accessible predictors of survival to support owners and veterinarians in their decision process of whether or not to operate and to identify high risk animals that require more intensive follow-up

Late abortus en oedeem van de placenta door afsnoering van de navelstreng bij een koe

Umbilical cord constriction/torsion in the bovine can result in fetal death and abortion, mostly during the last month of gestation. The resulting placental edema can cause major complications in case of caesarean section. This case report describes a late abortion and placental edema associated with umbilical cord constriction in a Belgian White Blue cow