A Survey of Tick Infestation and Tick-Borne Piroplasm Infection of Cattle in Oudalan and Séno Provinces, Northern Burkina Faso

In this study, cattle farms located in Oudalan and Séno, two provinces in the Sahel region, northern Burkina Faso, were surveyed. Cattle owners were interviewed, cattle were examined for tick infestation, and ticks as well as blood samples were collected during the dry season (October). Blood DNA samples were tested for Babesia and Theileria infections using nested PCRs and sequencing. A total of 22 herds, 174 Zebu cattle were investigated at 6 different sites. Overall, 76 cattle (43.7 %) from 18 farms (81.8%) were found infested with ticks. Cattle in Séno, adult cattle (>5 years) and those owned by the Fulani ethnic group were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be tick-infested. A total of 144 adult ticks belonging to five species namely: Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma impressum, Hyalomma rufipes, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, and Rhipicephalus guilhoni were collected from the animals. Piroplasms were detected in the blood DNA of 23 (13.2%) cattle. The cattle in Séno and adult cattle were significantly more likely to be piroplasm-positive. Five pathogens diversely distributed were identified. Theileria mutans (12/174), Babesia bigemina (5/174), Theileria annulata (3/174), and Theileria velifera (3/174) were detected for the first time in northern Burkina Faso, whereas Babesia occultans (1/174) was found for the first time in cattle in West Africa. The analysis of the sequences, including B. bigemina RAP-1a, T. annulata Tams1 genes, and the 18S rRNA genes of all the five protozoa, revealed identities ranging from 98.4 to 100% with previously published sequences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene sequences located north Burkina Faso piroplasms in the same clade as isolates from Africa and other regions of the world. Notably, T. mutans sequences were distributed in two clades: the T. mutans Intona strain clade and the Theileria sp. (strain MSD)/ Theileria sp. B15a clade, suggesting the presence of at least two strains in the area. These findings indicate that the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases should be taken into account in strategies to improve animal health in the Sahel region.

Mural Endocarditis and Embolic Pneumonia Due to Trueperella pyogenes in an Adult Cow with Ventricular Septal Defect

Bacterial endocarditis represents one of the most frequently acquired cardiac diseases in adult cattle. Congenital heart diseases as a ventricular septal defect can facilitate bacterial endocarditis as a consequence of turbulent blood flow through the defect, causing damage to the endocardium. We describe a case of mural endocarditis associated with a ventricular septal defect in an eight-year-old female Holstein Friesian cow. The cow’s history revealed that she had presented dysorexia and a sudden decrease of milk production in the last 10 days prior to the examination. On clinical examination, jugular pulses, tachycardia with irregular heart rate and tachypnea with harsh bronchovesicular sounds were evident. Electrocardiographic examination allowed the diagnosis of an atrial fibrillation with high ventricular response rate. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large vegetation originating from the endocardium between the tricuspid and pulmonic valves in the right ventricle outflow. On post-mortem examination, a small muscular septal defect under the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve and a mural vegetative endocarditis were found. An abscess in the chondro-costal junction of the third right rib and metastatic pneumonia were also observed. This case report describes a rare consequence of a small ventricular septal defect that had not been previously diagnosed in an adult cow.

Monitoring of the bovine digestive diseases on the Transbaikal territory

The dynamics of digestive diseases of bacterial etiology among cattle are presented. Statistical, laboratory and annual average data on registered animals with this pathology, mortality and forced slaughter of livestock were analysed for the period 2016-2020. It has been found that digestive diseases of bacterial etiology are prevalent both in young cattle (53.7% to 61.4%) and in adult cattle (43.1% of the total number of diseased animals). The following pathogens were identified on the basis of bacterial tests on biological material: enteropathogenic E. coli (37.8% of the total number of diseased animals) and group D streptococci, E. Faecalis (15.1%). The rest of the herd had associated infections (19.2%) and non-contagious digestive diseases (27.9%). As a result of this monitoring, a high incidence of digestive diseases among cattle in livestock farms in the following districts of the Trans-Baikal Territory was recorded: Akshinsky, Krasnochikoysky, Kyrinsky, Nerchinsky, Olovyaninsky, Priargunsky, Khiloksky, Shelopuginsky, Aginsky. The lowest prevalence of cattle diseases in organizations of various forms of ownership has been recorded in peasant farms in the region (6.8-10.9%). The average number of registered animals with this pathology is recorded in agricultural organizations (26.9-37.6%). A high percentage of these diseases were recorded in households (62.8%). When farms follow the organization of therapeutic and prophylactic measures, housing and feeding hygiene rules, it is possible to ensure the safety and productivity of livestock, high quality and safety of livestock products and to prevent bacterial diseases of the digestive organs.

Comprehensive Analysis of miRNAs and Target mRNAs between Immature and Mature Testis Tissue in Chinese Red Steppes Cattle

This study aims to screen potential regulators and regulate fecundity networks between microRNAs (miRNAs) and target genes. The bovine testes of immature and mature Chinese Red Steppes were performed by genome-wide analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs. Compared with testicular tissues of newborns, 6051 upregulated genes and 7104 downregulated genes in adult cattle were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEGs were significantly enriched in 808 GO terms (p < 0.05) including male gonad development, male genitalia development, spermatogenesis, and sperm motility. Moreover, DEGs were also significantly enriched in 105 KEGG pathways (p < 0.05), including cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway. To explore the expression of miRNA-regulated gene expression, 896 differentially expressed target genes negatively regulated with the expression levels of 31 differentially expressed miRNAs (DERs) were predicted and analyzed, and a network-integrated analysis was constructed. Furthermore, real-time PCR was performed to verify the expression levels of DEGs and DERs. Our results identified novel candidate DEGs and DERs correlated with male reproduction and intricate regulating networks between miRNAs and genes, which will be valuable for future genetic and epigenetic studies of sperm development and maturity, as well as providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of male fertility and spermatogenesis in cattle.

Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus type (O) Overhangs Livestock Industry of both Young and Adult Cattle and Buffalo in Egypt

Egyptian farms is still attacked by several outbreaks of FMDV, a highly contagious viral disease that threatens the livestock industry worldwide. Many of these outbreaks are unreported. Hence, the epidemiological situation and molecular characterization of the currently responsible strains of recent FMD outbreaks are missed. To identify FMDV strains currently circulating in cattle herds and catch the recent update in the morphophonological changes due to that virus, we carried out this study on the FMD outbreak from 2016–2017 in Egypt. Clinical samples (post mortem tissues samples, oral swabs, epithelial suspensions from ruptured vesicles, and blood) were collected from clinically examined animals suspected to be of being FMD virus = 229 cattle and 138 buffalo. Of 175, 96 (54.8%) samples and 85 (44.3%) from 192 samples were positive in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Pathological examination revealed the classical lesions of FMDV as vesicular and erosive lesions on cornified epithelial tissues. Multi-focal areas of lympho-plasmocytic myocarditis were seen in the heart of all calves. Similar lesions were also observed in the heart of adult cattle that died in that outbreaks. Detailed pathological alterations in adult and young animals were described. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of tissue specimens using specific primers for FMDV was done. Serotype O was the only serotype that was detected in our study and submitted in the Genebank. The four field isolates of serotype O that have been submitted in the Genebank had been found to belong to the EA-3 topotype. Nucleotide sequencing of the VP1 region and phylogenetic analysis has been used to determine the relationships between our field isolates, other recently isolated Egyptian isolates, and other isolates from some African countries and vaccinal strain used for serotype O in Egypt. The presence of strains of increased virulence among cattle and buffalo in Egypt could be attributed to the introduction of new viral strains through uncontrolled transboundary movements of animals during the last public revolution in Egypt in 2011.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infection in cattle of different geographical regions of Indonesia

Background and Aim: Eimeria spp. are gastrointestinal protozoans that affect animal productivity, thereby causing symptoms that range from bloody diarrhea to death. These symptoms cause economic losses to farmers. The distribution of Eimeria spp. in cattle has, therefore, been reported to have spread widely, especially in the tropics and subtropics. Indonesia is a tropical country at high risk of Eimeria infections. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors related to the levels of eimeriosis in beef cattle originating from different geographic areas in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Here, 817 fecal samples were collected from beef cattle in Indonesia, including 282 calves, 535 adults, 530 males, and 287 females. In addition, 156 semi-intensively and 661 intensively managed cattle were randomly collected. Then, fecal samples were analyzed by parasitology examinations. Results: Screening examination using the sugar flotation modification method showed that Eimeria spp. were prevalent in Indonesia, as 65.4% of the bacterial strain was detected. The prevalence of identified Eimeria spp. in Indonesia was highest in North Maluku (Maluku Island) (94.1%), whereas the lowest levels were observed in West Java (24.0%) (Java Island). The prevalence was also found to be higher in males (79.3%) than females (51.9%). Similarly, levels in semi-intensively managed cattle (66.7%) were higher than those subjected to intensive management (65.9%). However, its prevalence in calf and adult cattle was similar. Conclusion: Bovine eimeriosis spp. were detected at high prevalence in Indonesia, and high-level risks were observed in infected males, including those under the semi-intensive management. In addition, although the results from oocyst examinations were based on qualitative analysis, the endemicity levels of Eimeria spp. among farms in Indonesia should be considered because Eimeria spp. were distributed in most parts of Indonesia. Based on the results of this study, we provide the first information about the prevalence of bovine eimeriosis from different geographical locations in Indonesia, which have differing climates associated with the level of the existing risk factors. Hence, farmers are advised to pay more attention to strict biosecurity techniques on their farms, thereby favoring the early control of bovine eimeriosis.

Establishing the role of amphibians (Anura) in the prophylaxis of helminths specific to domestic, wild and pet animals

This work is based on helminthological data of amphibians, collected since 2013 until 2020, in the Republic of Moldova. The investigations on anura amphibians were conducted in the laboratory of Parazitology and Helminthology of the Institute of Zoology. One of the most common parasitic diseases in ruminants is fasciolosis, caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica species. The results of parasitological research showed that adult cattle were infected with fascioles in 66.4% of cases, and young cattle - in 46.1% of cases. This is largely due to the grazing of animals of different species and ages in limited areas.The presence of the trematode species Haplometra cylindracea was established in 78% of cases in the amphibians in the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis). The results of laboratory helminthological investigations have shown that the relationships between the Fasciola hepatica miracidium and the Haplometra cylindracea miracidium are antagonistic. Amphibians of the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis) infested with Haplometra cylindracea tremateda may play an important role in the prophylaxis of fasciolosis.

Electrolyte Concentrations and Blood Gas Values in Neonatal Calves With Diarrhea

Portable blood analyzers, which recently have been introduced to veterinary medicine, can facilitate immediate identification of sick calves in livestock farms. However, no appropriate standard values exist for neonatal calves; therefore, reference values for adult cattle guide diagnosis and treatment of newborn calves. Our goal was to determine electrolyte, blood chemistry, and blood gas values from healthy calves and compare them to those for diarrheic calves, thus providing useful information for diagnosis and prognosis. We evaluated 193 calves (£1 month old), including those with (n = 88) and without diarrhea (n = 105), using two-tailed, independent t tests after determining normality (Shapiro−Wilk test). Electrolyte measurements in the diarrheic calves included significant decreases in sodium and significant increases in potassium, chloride, and blood urea nitrogen. Strong ion difference (SID), pH, bicarbonate, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and base excess (BE) were significantly lower in the diarrheic calves (p < 0.001); the anion gap (AG) was significantly higher among diarrheic calves aged 1-10 days (p < 0.001) compared to healthy calves. Our results demonstrate that SID, pH, bicarbonate, and BE correlated strongly with metabolic acidosis, suggesting that these indicators, including AG, can be important tools for evaluating calves’ health status and for providing useful information to diagnose diarrhea.

Major Causes of Calf and Lamb Mortality and Morbidity and Associated Risk Factors in the Mixed Crop-Livestock Production System in Jamma District, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Lamb and calf preweaning mortality and morbidity account for serious losses in sheep and cattle production and are, thus, a major factor in reducing profitability and adversely affecting the sheep and cattle farming. Thus, a prospective cohort study was conducted in Jamma district, Amhara Regional State, to determine the major cause of calf and lamb morbidity and mortality and associated risk factors. A semi-structured questionnaire and clinical assessment of the animals were conducted from 150 households to assess the potential risk factors. Besides, a total of 102 (81 fecal samples and 21 skin scrapings) were collected from 150 clinically ill and suspected animals to identify the cause of morbidity and mortality. The test of difference and correlation between variables were computed using chi-square and generalized linear model analysis. The total morbidity and mortality in calves were 33.3% and 2%, respectively, whereas for lamb, they were 27.3% and 32.5%, respectively. In calf, septicemia (100%) was a major cause of mortality, and diarrhea (54.6%) was the leading cause of calf morbidity followed by skin disease (30.1%), respiratory problems (12%), and septicemia (3.3%). Malnutrition was the most common problem in lambs causing up to 31.3% mortality followed by diarrhea 24% and respiratory problems 21.3%. The presence of a disease in adult cattle was significantly correlated to the presence of disease in calves ( p < 0.001 ; r = 0.35). There was also a significantly higher positive correlation between sickness in adult sheep and lambs ( p < 0.001 , r = 0.45). Gastrointestinal parasitosis was identified in 82.7% of the samples collected from diarrheic and suspected calves (87.1% positive) and lambs (80% positive). Monezia species in lamb (33.3%) and Coccidia species in the calf (35.9%) had the largest morbidity rate. Ctenocephalides canis (16.7%) and Linognatus species (41.7%) were common ectoparasites identified in calves, while Melophagus ovinus was the only ectoparasite of lambs recovered (62.5%). In conclusion, the high morbidity found in calves and morbidity and mortality in lambs are known to seriously reduce the profitability of the smallholder cattle and sheep production in the area by affecting the availability of replacement animals and causing a detrimental effect on herd expansion and productivity. In further studies, establishing the specific causative agents, control of diseases in the adult, and improvement in feed resources should be the major areas that need to be considered to mitigate calf and lamb morbidity and mortality currently affecting the area.

Viral Enteritis in Cattle: To Well Known Viruses and Beyond

Livestock products supply about 13 percent of energy and 28 percent of protein in diets consumed worldwide. Diarrhea is a leading cause of sickness and death of beef and dairy calves in their first month of life and also affecting adult cattle, resulting in large economic losses and a negative impact on animal welfare. Despite the usual multifactorial origin, viruses are generally involved, being among the most important causes of diarrhea. There are several viruses that have been confirmed as etiological agents (i.e., rotavirus and coronavirus), and some viruses that are not yet confirmed as etiological agents. This review summarizes the viruses that have been detected in the enteric tract of cattle and tries to deepen and gather knowledge about them.