Robert Hogg

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.

Mycoplasma bovis isolated from brain tissue of calves

SIR, — We wish to report two separate cases of Mycoplasma bovis isolation from brain tissue of calves at veterinary diagnostic laboratories in England and Ireland. To our knowledge this is the first report of the isolation of M bovis from brain tissue of cattle in Britain or Ireland. The English

Diagnosis and implications of botulism

BOTULISM is a neuroparalytic condition affecting birds, mammals and fish, and is caused by exposure to toxins produced by various biotypes of Clostridium botulinum. Until a few years ago, botulism was considered to be a rare disease in farm animals in the UK. However, since 2003, there has been an upsurge in the number of suspected cases reported, particularly in cattle and more recently sheep. The diagnosis of botulism is problematic and relies heavily on clinical signs. Confidence in the diagnosis is improved by identifying the risk factors and suspect sources, and by ruling out the more common differential diagnoses. This article describes the clinical signs of classic and atypical disease, and discusses the implications of a diagnosis of botulism with regard to animal welfare, food safety and public health.

Haemonchosis in large ruminants in the UK.

Nematodes of the genus Haemonchus are haematophagous parasites of the abomasum, which worldwide cause one of the most important diseases of ruminants. Although haemonchosis is mainly a clinical problem in regions with warm or tropical climates there is evidence that these parasites have spread

Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus infection in ducklings

We wish to report an outbreak of disease in mallard ducklings caused by streptococcal infection. The affected birds were from a batch of 6000 placed indoors on a rearing site at one day of age. By 11 days of age 80 had died with many exhibiting nervous signs; for example, shaking/tremor, fitting and

Mass mortalities in gulls associated with eating livestock fodder

AS part of the Defra-supported Great Britain Wildlife Disease Surveillance Partnership, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) Diseases of Wildlife Scheme undertakes investigations into unusual wildlife mortality incidents. VLA - Preston has dealt with two incidents involving gulls that died as a

Aerococcus urinae in bovine reproductive disease

SIR, — We would like to report the isolation of Aerococcus urinae associated with bovine reproductive diseases, including abortion, stillbirth, vulvitis, vaginitis and metritis, in England and Wales. Details of eight investigations are summarised in [Table 1][1]. View this table: The genus

Use of broiler litter as a bedding material for livestock

SINCE 2003 there has been a marked increase in the number of outbreaks of botulism in cattle and sheep diagnosed by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) throughout England and Wales (Hogg and others 2008). The reason for this increase is not fully understood, but in a high proportion of these cases the disease appears to have been caused by animals coming into contact with the litter of broiler chickens. Broiler litter is a useful source of nitrogenous fertiliser but there is the potential for botulism to occur in animals that come into contact with it, especially if it contains any carcase material. Animals have become affected through direct access to litter when it has been heaped or spread in the field where they are grazing, and indirectly from litter on a neighbours premises, possibly as the result of carcases being moved by scavenging birds and …