Arthur Otter

Rumen fluke (paramphistomosis) in British cattle

SIR, — Rumen flukes, including Paramphistomum species, have a worldwide distribution and are considered to be important parasites of a number of ruminant species, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. They are approximately 1 cm long and may be found in large numbers feeding on the wall

Fatal combined infection with Haemoproteus noctuae and Leucocytozoon ziemanni in juvenile snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca)

Two juvenile snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) died after short episodes of lethargy and anorexia. Postmortem examination of the first was inconclusive but clinical and laboratory examinations on the second owlet revealed a high level of erythrocyte parasitaemia by Haemoproteus noctuae. After a period of intensive nursing and chemotherapy during which it improved clinically and the red cell parasitism decreased, the birds condition relapsed and it died. Postmortem examination revealed H noctuae infection in addition to heavy red blood cell parasitism by Leucocytozoon ziemanni. Although neither H noctuae nor L ziemanni are generally considered to be pathogenic, their combined presence in the young owl apparently resulted in its death.

Emergence of suspected type D botulism in ruminants in England and Wales (2001 to 2009), associated with exposure to broiler litter

Scanning surveillance by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency revealed the emergence of suspected botulism in ruminants in 2003, presented as flaccid paralysis. From 2003 to 2009, 168 cattle and 19 sheep incidents were recorded, with mortality between 5 and 80 per cent. All sheep incidents and 95 per cent of cattle incidents had proximity to broiler litter. From July 2006, the gut contents collected from 74 affected cattle and 10 affected sheep were tested for Clostridium botulinum toxins using mice bioassays and for organisms by culture. Type D toxin was identified in 32 per cent of cattle and 18 per cent of sheep samples. C botulinum type D organisms were identified in 40 per cent of cattle and 30 per cent of sheep samples, but broth from one sample reacted with C and D antisera. Type C botulism has previously been reported more commonly than type D in the UK and has been associated with the use of poultry litter as fertiliser, bedding or feed. The almost exclusive association with C botulinum type D toxins or organisms in the gut contents in this survey suggests a change in the source or epidemiology of botulism in the UK. The source of C botulinum type D was uncertain. Broilers may carry C botulinum type D in their gut flora subclinically. The emergence of a new type D strain, or changes in broiler husbandry and nutrition, medication and other enteric infections may have affected colonisation with C botulinum. Further investigation of poultry and farm environments for sources of type D awaits the development of tests for C botulinum toxins that do not require the use of mice.

Unusual bovine papular stomatitis virus infection in a British dairy cow

We wish to report an unusual presentation of bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) infection of a single cow’s teat, which was the only clinically detected manifestation of this infection in a dairy herd. The affected animal was a five-year-old Holstein in its third lactation with an average

Congenital tremor and hypomyelination associated with bovine viral diarrhoea virus in 23 British cattle herds

This paper presents data from 23 British herds investigated between 1991 and 2007 where neurological disease in calves was caused by bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection. A variety of clinical signs, most commonly tremor or trembling, were apparent in the calves from birth, and most were recumbent or unable to stand unsupported. Severe diffuse neuraxial hypomyelination was present in all of the calves, and immunohistochemistry revealed cerebral neuronal labelling consistent with congenital persistent pestivirus infection in each brain. BVDV was detected in peripheral blood samples from eight of 15 calves tested using an antigen ELISA, and was isolated in culture from samples of viscera, brain or blood collected from 17 of 24 affected calves. TaqMan RT-PCR for pestivirus RNA was positive for BVDV-1 in all six calves tested. Six of the virus isolates on which molecular classification was carried out, obtained from calves in four of the herds, were identified as BVDV-1a, while three isolates from one affected and two unaffected calves on a fifth farm were confirmed as BVDV-1b.

Investigation of serology for diagnosis of outbreaks of botulism in cattle

Serology has been used to diagnose retrospectively types C and D outbreaks of botulism in cattle in Australia and this study has investigated whether the approach would be applicable in England and Wales. Three hundred sera from routine surveillance submissions in England and Wales were used as a negative control population. Some stored sera were available from a small number of clinical cases of botulism and 125 samples were collected from cohort groups of clinical cases in four new outbreaks of botulism. Three of these outbreaks were identified as being caused by type D Clostridium botulinum toxin. Sera were tested by antibody ELISA in laboratories in Australia and Germany. There was no increase in the proportion of animals seropositive to type C or D antibody in the botulism-associated cattle. The proportion of samples which were seropositive to type D antibodies was <2% in both the negative control and outbreak populations. It was concluded that single time serology is unlikely to be helpful for retrospective diagnosis of outbreaks of type D botulism in England and Wales.

Naturally occurring intestinal lesions in three alpacas (Vicugna pacos) caused by attaching and effacing Escherichia coli.

ATTACHING and effacing Escherichia coli (aeec) bind to the enterocytes of human beings and animals, forming distinct attaching-effacing (ae) lesions. The enterocyte attaching and effacing ( eae ) gene is present within the locus of enterocyte effacement ([Kaper and others 1998][1], [Aktan and others

Hypervitaminosis A in lambs fed milk replacer

Feed-related incidents, such as the incorrect formulation or contamination of feed with toxic substances can result in significant illness and welfare problems in animals, as well as having considerable cost implications for the farmer and the feed company. There is also the possibility of contaminated animals or their products entering the food chain. Early detection and good communication channels between the various sectors of the farming and veterinary community are therefore essential to deal with such cases. This short communication reports the identification and risk management of several cases of hypervitaminosis A in lambs due to incorrect formulation of some batches of milk replacer. In April 2011, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) investigated the cause of unusual clinical signs in lambs. These were orphans and surplus lambs removed from ewes with triplets. They were between three and 40 days of age and were fed milk replacer through communal feeders. Postmortem material was received from 10 flocks, and four affected farms were visited. Lambs were exposed at different ages because of differing management practices and the timing of the introduction of the incorrectly formulated batch of milk replacer. Irrespective of the age of the lambs, clinical signs of malaise and wet greasy fleece were seen within 24–48 hours of exposure. After two to seven days the affected lambs developed a pungent uraemic smell and moist erythematous skin of the axillary, inguinal and perineal areas resembling urine scald. After seven to 14 days of exposure, alopecia and lameness reminiscent of infectious arthritis (‘joint ill’) with a hunched posture and reluctance to stand or walk were described. Excessive thirst was described in some affected groups. The morbidity within the first two weeks of exposure was 50–100 per cent. Mortality ranged from 0 to 20 per cent. Lambs on the same farms that were …

Suspected lack of efficacy of a live IBR marker vaccine in two dairy herds

WE would like to draw attention to two outbreaks of clinical infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in dairy herds, both of which had been routinely vaccinated with a live IBR marker vaccine administered intramuscularly approximately six to eight weeks before the outbreak starting. The first

Bacterial isolates from the semen of rams with suspected infertility.

BACTERIAL infections of the reproductive tract associated with infertility in rams have been described, most notably infections with Brucella ovis ([Buddle 1956][1]), an organism that has not been found in the UK, and Actinobacillus seminis ([Heath and others 1991][2], [Low and others 1995][3]).