Cattle herd typology for epidemiology, surveillance, and animal welfare: Method and applications in France.

Depending on the objectives (economic, sociology, epidemiology…), many different methods and data are used to classify cattle herds. The use of different and not well defined herd classifications makes it difficult to compare the results of studies between but also within countries. Our aim was to develop a simple and flexible, yet objective herd typology, that is adapted to epidemiological and animal welfare issues, as well as surveillance needs, and that can be implemented at any time and for any cattle herd. We therefore based our approach on the information recorded in the mandatory national cattle register available in European countries. By combining demographic data, in the French context, we defined nine groups of herds: dairy breeder herds, dairy breeder-fattener herds, beef(-suckler) breeder herds, beef(-suckler) breeder-fattener herds, mixed breeder herds, mixed breeder-fattener herds, fattener herds, very small herds, and herds with "other" production. This typology has been extensively field tested in France over the past four years by a wide range of users and, despite its perfectibility, was found to have very high accuracy. It is thus currently used for zoo-technical as well as research purposes. We hope that this flexible approach can be adapted to the livestock context of other countries where a national livestock register is available.

Syndromic surveillance of abortions in beef cattle based on the prospective analysis of spatio-temporal variations of calvings.

Our objective was to study the ability of a syndromic surveillance system to identify spatio-temporal clusters of drops in the number of calvings among beef cows during the Bluetongue epizootic of 2007 and 2008, based on calving seasons. France was partitioned into 300 iso-populated units, i.e. units with quite the same number of beef cattle. Only 1% of clusters were unlikely to be related to Bluetongue. Clusters were detected during the calving season of primary infection by Bluetongue in 28% (n = 23) of the units first infected in 2007, and in 87% (n = 184) of the units first infected in 2008. In units in which a first cluster was detected over their calving season of primary infection, Bluetongue was detected more rapidly after the start of the calving season and its prevalence was higher than in other units. We believe that this type of syndromic surveillance system could improve the surveillance of abortive events in French cattle. Besides, our approach should be used to develop syndromic surveillance systems for other diseases and purposes, and in other settings, to avoid "false" alarms due to isolated events and homogenize the ability to detect abnormal variations of indicator amongst iso-populated units.

Estimates of the prevalence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep and goats in France in 2002.

An active surveillance programme for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSES) in sheep and goats was implemented in France in 2002 at abattoirs and rendering plants. The analysis of the results of this programme highlighted three biases: a potentially non-random sampling scheme in both rendering plants and abattoirs, a heterogeneous geographical sampling ratio, and the use of two diagnostic tests of unequal sensitivity. Simulations were run to estimate the prevalence of TSES by taking these biases into account. A comparison of the prevalence of TSES calculated from the raw data with the simulation results showed that the effects of non-random sampling were minor in comparison with the effects of the heterogeneous geographical sampling ratio and the use of two diagnostic tests.

Targeted surveillance to assess the prevalence of BSE in high-risk populations in western France and the associated risk factors.

A pilot study was set up for the first time in France in August 2000, to obtain more precise estimates on the BSE epidemic in France. Three categories of cattle at risk of BSE (found dead on-farm, euthanased and emergency slaughtered) were sampled exhaustively from August 7 to December 22, 2000, in the three regions assumed to be the most affected with BSE in France (Basse-Normandie, Bretagne and Pays de la Loire). The samples were checked by using Prionics tests, and positive samples were confirmed by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. The overall prevalence of positive cattle was 0.16 per cent. Multifactorial logistic regression showed that there was a significantly higher prevalence among cattle from the birth cohorts July 1993 to June 1994 and July 1994 to June 1995, than among those born before July 1993, and among the categories 'euthanased' and 'emergency slaughtered' than among the category 'dead on-farm, and a higher prevalence in the regions Pays de la Loire and Bretagne than in Basse-Normandie. No significant differences in the prevalence of BSE were observed between dairy, beef suckler and mixed herds.

[Pseudotumoral thoracic actinomycosis with lung and brain metastases. Apropos of a case. Review of hundred thirty one cases in the literature]. / Actinomycose thoracique pseudo-tumorale avec métastases pulmonaires et cérébrales. A propos d'un cas. Revue de cent trente et un cas de la littérature.

One particular case of thoracic actinomycosis is reported. The patient presented with a neurological picture mimicking a metastasis, as chest radiogram and CT-Scan indicated a primary pulmonary tumor. Diagnosis of actinomycosis was overlooked and final diagnosis was based on direct microscopy of lung tumor, which required a thoracotomy, without any resection. Antibiotic treatment with penicillin was successful as the cerebral lesion was completely cured within 2 months and the thoracic lesion reduced 2/3rd volume within the same delay. The importance of correct handling of tissue specimens and adequate informations to the microbiologist are emphasized. Another point of interest is that good clinical results can be expected from prolonged antibiotic treatment. Surgery must be reserved for diagnosis if no other means has been effective, for failure of medical treatment or for acute complications.

[Rare lesions caused by seat belts]. / Quelques lésions rares provoquées par la ceinture de sécurité.

The authors report a number of rare traumatic lesions which can be described under the heading of "safety belt syndrome". The superficial haematoma which is invariably present ("seat belt sign") would seem to be a reliable indication of improper wearing of the seat belt which has been attached too loosely. The lesions seen were a vertebral arteriovenous fistula after cervical contusion, a closed rupture of a rectus abdominis muscle, associated with rupture of the homolateral renal artery and finally pelvi-ureteric disinsertion with laceration of the renal pelvis. It is important to be aware of such lesions which must be suspected in case of accident with a seat belt since the diagnosis is often difficult. The superficial haematoma is a valuable sign which should suggest the possibility of underlying deep lesions.

[Intramural hematomas of the small bowel (duodenum excluded) during long-term anticoagulant treatment. Report on 6 cases of which 2 required operation (author's transl)]. / Les hématomes intra-muraux de l'intestin grêle (duodénum exclu) lors de traitements anti-coagulants au long cours. A propos de 6 cas dont 2 opérés.

Hematomas developed in the small bowel of 6 patients receiving long-term anticoagulant therapy with antivitamins K. As the report by Chapuis and Mercier during the 81st French Congress of Surgery has fully covered this subject, the authors present their cases to illustrate their clinical features, while emphasizing certain particular characteristics: 1 - Associated hemorrhagic lesions were frequently observed. 2 - Early diagnostic follow-through barium meal examinations of the small intestine could be conducted without any particular problem. 3 - Laparotomy was necessary in two patients because of shock or local signs on examination. 4 - Small bowel lesions can vary in severity, sometimes in the same patient (case no 1). Some hematomas heal spontaneously after discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment, while others can, theoretically, develop necrotic reactions. Small bowel resection was necessary in two patients. 5 - A frequent occurrence was the association of lesions in the right colic and ileal regions. 6 - Finally, anticoagulant treatment can often be reduced, discontinued, or replaced by other therapy.

[Gangrenous cholecystitis without lithiasis. A report on a case diagnosed by simple radiography of the abdomen (author's transl)]. / Cholécystite gangréneuse non lithiasique. A propos d'un cas diagnostiqué sur les radiographies d'abdomen sans préparation.

The authors report a case of gangrenous cholecystitis without lithiasis but with secondary infection of the gallbladder by anaerobic germs. Pre-operative diagnosis was possible from simple x-rays of the abdomen which demonstrated an obvious fluid level in the gallbladder, and by parietography. An immediate cholecystectomy was performed. Bacteriological examination of the bile confirmed the presence of Clostridium perfringens. The main bile duct appeared normal and the bile in the common bile duct was sterile. Convalescence was uneventful with antibiotic cover, in spite of the age and condition of the patient. Gangrenous cholecystitis occurs more frequently without gallbladder stones in humans. Clinical signs are not specific but simple x-rays of the abdomen are pathognomonic and enable pre-operative diagnosis to be made. Urgent cholecystectomy appears to be the ideal treatment. This affection has a high mortality and early operation is therefore justified.

[Report of 39 traumatic and iatrogenic lesions of the extra-cranial carotid artery (author's transl)]. / Bilan de 39 lésions traumatiques et iatrogènes de l'axe carotidien extra-crânien.

The authors present 39 carotid lesions from various and sometimes unusual origins: ski accident, cervical irradiation. The lesions have a preferential topography according to etiology: internal carotid for blunt trauma and arteriographic lesions, common carotid for penetrating injuries, common and bifurcation for X-ray lesions. Arteriography and surgical exploration confirm this notion. Macroscopic lesions don't always accord to the classical aspect: thus, only one intimal lesion has been found in blunt trauma. Symptomatology is orientated by etiology: neurological symptoms in blunt trauma and X-ray lesions, vascular symptoms in penetrating injuries. The diagnosis has sometimes been made at a distance from the initial accident and in unusual circumstances, mainly in blunt trauma. The treatment has been a surgical one except for usual countra-indications. The results are favourable on young subjects and above all for particular lesions such as penetrating injuries and X-ray lesions. Lastly, the authors insist on the post-operative evolutivity which is often misunderstood, and on the interest of an angiographic control.