Biogeographical Differences in the Influence of Maternal Microbial Sources on the Early Successional Development of the Bovine Neonatal Gastrointestinal tract.

The impact of maternal microbial influences on the early choreography of the neonatal calf microbiome were investigated. Luminal content and mucosal scraping samples were collected from ten locations in the calf gastrointestinal tract (GIT) over the first 21 days of life, along with postpartum maternal colostrum, udder skin, and vaginal scrapings. Microbiota were found to vary by anatomical location, between the lumen and mucosa at each GIT location, and differentially enriched for maternal vaginal, skin, and colostral microbiota. Most calf sample sites exhibited a gradual increase in α-diversity over the 21 days beginning the first few days after birth. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was greater in the proximal GIT, while Bacteroidetes were greater in the distal GIT. Proteobacteria exhibited greater relative abundances in mucosal scrapings relative to luminal content. Forty-six percent of calf luminal microbes and 41% of mucosal microbes were observed in at-least one maternal source, with the majority being shared with microbes on the skin of the udder. The vaginal microbiota were found to harbor and uniquely share many common and well-described fibrolytic rumen bacteria, as well as methanogenic archaea, potentially indicating a role for the vagina in populating the developing rumen and reticulum with microbes important to the nutrition of the adult animal.

Clinical disease associated with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in cattle in Illinois.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical manifestation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in cattle during an outbreak in northwestern Illinois in the fall of 2013. DESIGN: Outbreak survey. SAMPLE: 18 EHDV-affected cattle herds. PROCEDURES: Herds with confirmed EHDV-infected cattle were selected for the survey on the basis of having a manager willing to participate. A survey was developed and administered to obtain information regarding the demographics of EHDV-affected herds and the clinical signs and outcomes for EHDV-infected cattle. RESULTS: The managers of 13 beef and 5 dairy herds participated in the survey. The herds contained approximately 1,400 cattle, of which 61 were infected with EHDV and 16 died. Most cattle clinically affected with EHDV were adults, although 1 herd had 6 calves with clinical signs, and EHDV was identified during postmortem testing of 1 of those calves. Clinical signs most commonly observed were oral ulcerations or erosions, anorexia, weight loss, and lameness that typically lasted > 7 days. Of the 18 herds, 17 had wooded areas and 14 had at least 1 pond or marsh on the property. Deer were observed on the property of all farms. The EHDV outbreak in cattle coincided with an EHDV outbreak in deer in the region. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This large-scale outbreak of EHDV in US cattle was unusual because calves were affected. Because there is no way to effectively predict or prevent an EHDV outbreak in cattle, development of a vaccine for use in cattle during an outbreak would be beneficial.