Efficacy of prepartum vaccination against neonatal calf diarrhea in Nelore dams as a prevention measure.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is the leading cause of calf morbidity and mortality in beef cattle. Cow's vaccination in last stage of pregnancy is one of the most important measures to mitigate the risk of NCD outbreaks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prepartum single dose vaccination against NCD, especially Bovine Rotavirus type A (BoRVA) and Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV), in Nelore dams and offspring. A total of 117 pregnant cows (n = 81) and heifers (n = 36) were distributed in two groups, vaccinated (VAC: cows = 40; heifers = 19) and non-vaccinated (NVAC: cows = 41; heifers = 17). Vaccination occurred between 60 to 50 days before the expected calving date with a single dose of a water-in-oil (W/O) vaccine, and NVAC group received a dose of saline solution 0.9%. Blood samples were collected before vaccination and 30 days after to evaluate the antibody (Ab) response. Specific IgG1 Abs against BoRVA and BCoV were measured by using an Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Calves' births were monitored, and the transference of passive immunity was evaluated. Diarrhea was monitored in the first 30 days of age, and fecal samples were collected for identification of the etiological agent. RESULTS: Higher titers of IgG1 Ab against BoRVA and BCoV was observed in the VAC group than NVAC group in the cow (P < 0.0001) and total dams categories (P < 0.0001). The titer of specific IgG1 Abs in the calves' serum reflected the dams response, observing higher IgG1 Ab titers for BoRVA (P < 0.0016) and BCoV (P < 0.0095) in the offspring born to VAC cows and higher IgG1 Ab titers for BoRVA(P < 0.0171) and BCoV (P < 0.0200) in the offspring born to VAC total dams. The general incidence of diarrhea observed was 18.6% (11/59) and 29.3% (17/58) in the calves born to the VAC and NVAC group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prepartum vaccination with a single dose of the vaccine tested increased the titers of IgG1 Ab against BCoV and BoRVA, and it could be used as a preventive strategy to decrease the NCD occurrence in Nelore calves.

Abomasal bloat in Holstein calf / Timpanismo abomasal em bezerra da raça Holandesa

This paper reports a case of abomasal bloat in a Holstein heifer, after an episode of the complete fracture of the left thoracic limb, which occurred on the farm. The animal, with 15 days of age, was donated to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Hovet) of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of Sao Paulo (FMVZ/USP) where it was operated, resulting in a complete fracture consolidation and no post-surgical complications. At 52 days of age, the heifer manifested acute apathy, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. After physical and complementary (i.e., blood count and abdominal ultrasound) examinations and the assessment of nutritional management, the calf was diagnosed with abomasal bloat. Therefore, the following treatment was performed: correction of dehydration, antibiotic therapy, administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and attempt of gas release through the esophageal tube. Moreover, dietary adjustments were made and consisted in interrupting the supply of concentrate, decreasing the volume of milk replacer, as well as supplying ruminal liquid, water, and green grass. Despite the acute and fatal characteristics seen in abomasal tympanism, the rapid identification of the initial clinical manifestations presented by the heifer allowed immediate therapeutic intervention, culminating in the survival of the animal and complete r

Este trabalho relata um caso de timpanismo abomasal em uma bezerra da raça Holandesa, após um episódio de fratura completa do membro torácico esquerdo, ocorrida na fazenda. O animal, com 15 dias de idade, foi doado ao Hospital Veterinário Universitário (Hovet) da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ/USP) onde foi operado, resultando em consolidação total da fratura e sem complicações pós-cirúrgicas. Aos 52 dias de idade, a bezerra manifestou apatia aguda, anorexia, desconforto abdominal e diarreia. Após exames físicos e complementares (hemograma e ultrassonografia abdominal) e avaliação do manejo nutricional, a bezerra foi diagnosticada com timpanismo abomasal. Desta forma, foi realizado o seguinte tratamento: correção da desidratação, antibioticoterapia, administração de anti-inflamatório não esteroidal e tentativa de liberação de gás por sonda esofágica. Além disso, ajustes dietéticos foram feitos e consistiram em interromper o fornecimento de concentrado, diminuição do volume de sucedâneo do leite, bem como o fornecimento de líquido ruminal, água e capim. Apesar das características agudas e fatais do timpanismo abomasal, a rápida identificação das manifestações clínicas iniciais apresentadas pela bezerra permitiu a intervenção terapêutica imediata, culminando com a sobrevivência do animal e recuperação completa ao final do tratamento.

Bovine Brucellosis: Report of the joint action of the University, Agricultural Defense and the Municipal Health Service in the diagnosis and control of the disease / Brucelose Bovina: Relato da atuação conjunta da Universidade, da Defesa Agropecuária

Bovine Brucellosis is a disease of economic importance and of a zoonotic character, considered of mandatory notification, caused by Brucella abortus, characterized mainly by abortion in the final third of pregnancy and reproductive disorders. The present study reports the joint work of the University, Agricultural Defense and Epidemiological Surveillance in a case of Brucellosis that occurred at the Bovine and Small Ruminant Clinic of the University of São Paulo. A bovine with locomotor disorders was diagnosed with brucellosis when tested together with another animal on the property that had reproductive disorders. The Agricultural Defense was activated and the animal was sent for sanitary slaughter. A joint action was carried out to monitor Brucellosis on the property and notification to the Municipal Health Service. Six animals on the property and three people showed positive results, highlighting the zoonotic potential of the disease and the importance of the veterinarian in controlling it in animals and man.

A Brucelose Bovina é uma doença de importância econômica e de caráter zoonótico, considerada de notificação obrigatória, causada pela Brucella abortus, caracterizada principalmente por abortamento em terço final de gestação e afecções reprodutivas. O presente artigo relata o trabalho conjunto da Universidade, da Defesa Agropecuária e da Vigilância Epidemiológica em um caso de brucelose ocorrido na Clínica de Bovinos e Pequenos Ruminantes da Universidade de São Paulo. Um bovino com afecção locomotora foi diagnosticado com brucelose ao ser testado juntamente com outro animal da propriedade que apresentava afecção reprodutiva. A Defesa Agropecuária foi acionada e o animal foi encaminhado para abate sanitário. Foi realizada ação conjunta para monitoramento da brucelose na propriedade e notificação ao Serviço de Saúde do Município. Seis animais da propriedade e três pessoas apresentaram resultado positivo, ressaltando o potencial zoonótico da doença e a importância do médico veterinário no controle da mesma nos animais e no homem.

Bovine Brucellosis: Report of the joint action of the University, Agricultural Defense and the Municipal Health Service in the diagnosis and control of the disease / Brucelose Bovina: Relato da atuação conjunta da Universidade, da Defesa Agropecuária

Bovine Brucellosis is a disease of economic importance and of a zoonotic character, considered of mandatory notification, caused by Brucella abortus, characterized mainly by abortion in the final third of pregnancy and reproductive disorders. The present study reports the joint work of the University, Agricultural Defense and Epidemiological Surveillance in a case of Brucellosis that occurred at the Bovine and Small Ruminant Clinic of the University of São Paulo. A bovine with locomotor disorders was diagnosed with brucellosis when tested together with another animal on the property that had reproductive disorders. The Agricultural Defense was activated and the animal was sent for sanitary slaughter. A joint action was carried out to monitor Brucellosis on the property and notification to the Municipal Health Service. Six animals on the property and three people showed positive results, highlighting the zoonotic potential of the disease and the importance of the veterinarian in controlling it in animals and man.(AU)

A Brucelose Bovina é uma doença de importância econômica e de caráter zoonótico, considerada de notificação obrigatória, causada pela Brucella abortus, caracterizada principalmente por abortamento em terço final de gestação e afecções reprodutivas. O presente artigo relata o trabalho conjunto da Universidade, da Defesa Agropecuária e da Vigilância Epidemiológica em um caso de brucelose ocorrido na Clínica de Bovinos e Pequenos Ruminantes da Universidade de São Paulo. Um bovino com afecção locomotora foi diagnosticado com brucelose ao ser testado juntamente com outro animal da propriedade que apresentava afecção reprodutiva. A Defesa Agropecuária foi acionada e o animal foi encaminhado para abate sanitário. Foi realizada ação conjunta para monitoramento da brucelose na propriedade e notificação ao Serviço de Saúde do Município. Seis animais da propriedade e três pessoas apresentaram resultado positivo, ressaltando o potencial zoonótico da doença e a importância do médico veterinário no controle da mesma nos animais e no homem.(AU)

Abomasal bloat in Holstein calf / Timpanismo abomasal em bezerra da raça Holandesa

This paper reports a case of abomasal bloat in a Holstein heifer, after an episode of the complete fracture of the left thoracic limb, which occurred on the farm. The animal, with 15 days of age, was donated to Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Hovet) of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of Sao Paulo (FMVZ/USP) where it was operated, resulting in a complete fracture consolidation and no post-surgical complications. At 52 days of age, the heifer manifested acute apathy, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. After physical and complementary (i.e., blood count and abdominal ultrasound) examinations and the assessment of nutritional management, the calf was diagnosed with abomasal bloat. Therefore, the following treatment was performed: correction of dehydration, antibiotic therapy, administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and attempt of gas release through the esophageal tube. Moreover, dietary adjustments were made and consisted in interrupting the supply of concentrate, decreasing the volume of milk replacer, as well as supplying ruminal liquid, water, and green grass. Despite the acute and fatal characteristics seen in abomasal tympanism, the rapid identification of the initial clinical manifestations presented by the heifer allowed immediate therapeutic intervention, culminating in the survival of the animal and complete r

Este trabalho relata um caso de timpanismo abomasal em uma bezerra da raça Holandesa, após um episódio de fratura completa do membro torácico esquerdo, ocorrida na fazenda. O animal, com 15 dias de idade, foi doado ao Hospital Veterinário Universitário (Hovet) da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ/USP) onde foi operado, resultando em consolidação total da fratura e sem complicações pós-cirúrgicas. Aos 52 dias de idade, a bezerra manifestou apatia aguda, anorexia, desconforto abdominal e diarreia. Após exames físicos e complementares (hemograma e ultrassonografia abdominal) e avaliação do manejo nutricional, a bezerra foi diagnosticada com timpanismo abomasal. Desta forma, foi realizado o seguinte tratamento: correção da desidratação, antibioticoterapia, administração de anti-inflamatório não esteroidal e tentativa de liberação de gás por sonda esofágica. Além disso, ajustes dietéticos foram feitos e consistiram em interromper o fornecimento de concentrado, diminuição do volume de sucedâneo do leite, bem como o fornecimento de líquido ruminal, água e capim. Apesar das características agudas e fatais do timpanismo abomasal, a rápida identificação das manifestações clínicas iniciais apresentadas pela bezerra permitiu a intervenção terapêutica imediata, culminando com a sobrevivência do animal e recuperação completa ao final do tratamento.(AU)

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in feces and water and the associated exposure factors on dairy farms.

The aims of this study were to verify the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in animal feces and drinking water on dairy farms and to identify a possible relation between the exposure factors and the presence of these parasites. Fecal samples from cattle and humans and water samples were collected on dairy farms in Paraná, Brazil. Analysis of (oo)cysts in the feces was performed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and centrifugal flotation in zinc sulfate. Test-positive samples were subjected to nested PCR amplification of the 18SSU ribosomal RNA gene for identification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia and of the gp60 gene for subtyping of Cryptosporidium. Microbiological analysis of water was carried out by the multiple-tube method and by means of a chromogenic substrate, and parasitological analysis was performed on 31 samples by direct immunofluorescence and nested PCR of the genes mentioned above. Identification of the species of Cryptosporidium was performed by sequencing and PCR with analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium was higher in calves than in adults. Among the samples of cattle feces, Cryptosporidium parvum was identified in 41 (64%), C. ryanae in eight (12.5%), C. bovis in four (6.3%), C. andersoni in five (7.8%), and a mixed infection in 20 samples (31.3%). These parasites were not identified in the samples of human feces. Thermotolerant coliform bacteria were identified in 25 samples of water (45.5%). Giardia duodenalis and C. parvum were identified in three water samples. The gp60 gene analysis of C. parvum isolates revealed the presence of two strains (IIaA20G1R1 and IIaA17G2R2) in the fecal samples and one (IIaA17G2R1) in the water samples. The presence of coliforms was associated with the water source, structure and degradation of springs, rain, and turbidity. The prevalence of protozoa was higher in calves up to six months of age. C. parvum and G. duodenalis were identified in the water of dairy farms, as were thermotolerant coliforms; these findings point to the need for guidance on handling of animals, preservation of water sources, and water treatment.