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Importance: Ovine pulmonary adenomatosis (OPA) and maedi-visna disease (MVD) are chronic and progressive infectious diseases in sheep caused by Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and maedi-visna virus (MVV), respectively. Objective: To investigate the pathological changes and conduct viral gene analysis of OPA and MVD co-occurrence in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: Using gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology, PCR, and sequence analysis, we investigated the concurrent infection of JSRV and MVV in 319 Dorper rams slaughtered in a private slaughterhouse in Inner Mongolia, in 2022. Results: Of the 319 rams included, 3 showed concurrent JSRV and MVV infection. Gross lung pathology showed diffuse enlargement, consolidation, and greyish-white miliary nodules on the lung surface; the trachea was filled with a white foamy fluid; hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were significantly enlarged. Histopathology results revealed typical OPA and MVD lesions in the lung tissue. Immunohistochemical results were positive for JSRV envelope protein (Env) in the tumor cells and MVV CA in alveolar macrophages. Transmission electron microscopy showed several virions and autophagosomes in the lung tissue, severely damaged mitochondria, and the induced mitophagy. Nucleotide sequences obtained for JSRV env and MVV gag showed the highest homology with the Inner Mongolian strains of JSRV env (JQ837489) and MVV gag (MW248464). Conclusions and Relevance: Our study confirmed that OPA and MVD co-occurrence and identified the pathological changes in Inner Mongolia, China, thereby providing references for the identification of concurrent JSRV and MVV infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence and some associated risk factors of Fasciola hepatica in sheep in the Algerian agro-pastoral region, Djelfa. For this, a total of 217 blood samples were taken from sheep (100 females and 117 males) aged on average ten months in two slaughterhouses in an Algerian agro-pastoral region, Djelfa during the period from January to October 2021 and analyzed by the ELISA method (BIOK 211-Monoscreen AbELISA Fasciola hepatica test) at the regional veterinary laboratory of Laghouat. The collected sera were numbered and stored at -20°C until analysis. Technical sheets were filled out with each sampled animal, including information on age, sex, locality and season. The results showed that the rate of positive seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica was 0.46% in sheep. This positivity rate was found in April in a 2-year-old female. At the same time, two doubtful cases (0.92%) were identified, one in a five-year-old female during the month of August and the other in a six-month-old male during the month of September. These results indicate the possibility of fasciolosis infestation in sheep farms in the Djelfa region and the zoonotic risk that this represents, as well as the economic losses that result from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a highly sensitive tool developed for the detection and quantification of short-sequence variants—a tool that offers unparalleled precision enabling measurement of smaller-fold changes. We describe here the use of ddPCR for the detection of Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) DNA provirus. Serum samples and whole blood from experimentally infected sheep and naturally infected cattle were analyzed through ddPCR to detect the BLV gp51 gene, and then compared with serologic and molecular tests. The ddPCR assay was significantly more accurate and sensitive than AGID, ELISA, nested PCR, and quantitative PCR. The limit of detection of ddPCR was 3.3 copies/µL, detecting positive experimentally infected sheep beginning at 6 d post-infection. The ddPCR methodology offers a promising tool for evaluating the BLV proviral load, particularly for the detection of low viral loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. JSRV can be transmitted via infected colostrum or milk, which contain somatic cells (SCs) harboring JSRV provirus. Nevertheless, the cell types involved in this form of transmission and the involvement of the mammary gland remain unknown. We separated adherent cells (macrophages and monocytes) by plastic adherence, and lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells) by flow cytometry, from SCs in milk samples from 12 naturally infected, PCR blood test JSRV–positive, subclinical ewes. These cell populations were tested by PCR to detect JSRV provirus. The ewes were euthanized, and mammary gland samples were analyzed immunohistochemically to detect JSRV surface protein. We did not detect JSRV provirus in any milk lymphocyte population, but milk adherent cells were positive in 3 of 12 sheep, suggesting a potential major role of this population in the lactogenic transmission of JSRV. Immunohistochemistry did not reveal positive results in mammary epithelial cells, pointing to a lack of participation of the mammary gland in the biological cycle of JSRV and reducing the probability of excretion of free viral particles in colostrum or milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the level and timing of lamb loss that occurs during the first year of life on a typical hill country sheep and beef farm in the central North Island of New Zealand and to determine how much of this loss can be prevented through vaccination against the five main clostridial diseases using a commercially available multivalent clostridial vaccine. The study was conducted on a single commercial hill country sheep and beef farm in the central North Island of New Zealand, with a history of never vaccinating their stock against clostridial disease. Lambs were blocked on sex and randomly selected at docking into treatment (n = 1,705 lambs) and control (n = 1,709 lambs) groups. Treated lambs were vaccinated at docking and 4 weeks later with 1 mL of multivalent clostridial vaccine. Control lambs were not vaccinated. Different coloured ear tags were used to identify the lambs in the treatment and control groups. All lambs were counted at docking (October 2019) and at six other management event times between docking and when the replacement hoggets were set stocked for lambing (August 2020). The number of lambs sold between each management event, from each group was also counted. The difference in the number of lambs from one management event to another, minus the lambs sold between these events was regarded as the lamb losses for that period. The total percentage of lamb losses from docking to pre-lamb was 4.8% (81/1,705) and 6.2% (106/1,709) in the vaccinated and unvaccinated lambs respectively OR = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.56–1.02; p = 0.06). Most lamb loss occurred in the period after docking, followed by the period between weaning and the first post-weaning drench. Less lamb loss occurred in the vaccinated lambs (27/1,705; 1.6%) after docking than in the unvaccinated lambs (66/1,709; 3.9%). This was mainly due to lower female lamb losses in the vaccinated (5/868; 0.6%) compared to the unvaccinated (38/868; 4.4%) group (p < 0.001). Vaccination of lambs at docking and 4 weeks later, with a multivalent 5-in-1 clostridial vaccine was associated with a 23.6% (25/106) reduction in total lamb loss from docking to pre-lambing. In female lambs, vaccination was associated with an 87% (33/38) reduction in lamb loss after docking and a 37% (22/59) reduction over the total trial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) that mainly produces respiratory symptoms in affected animals, resulting in great losses in the world's agriculture industry every year. Singledomain variable heavy chain (VHH) antibody fragments, also referred to as nanobodies, have high expression yields and other advantages including ease of purification and high solubility. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to obtain a single-domain antibody with good reactivity and high specificity against PPRV. Methods: A VHH cDNA library was established by immunizing camels with PPRV vaccine, and the capacity and diversity of the library were examined. Four PPRV VHHs were selected, and the biological activity and antigen-binding capacity of the four VHHs were identified by western blot, indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. ELISA was used to identify whether the four VHHs were specific for PPRV, and VHH neutralization tests were carried out. ELISA and western blot analyses were used to identify which PPRV protein was targeted by VHH2. Results: The PPRV cDNA library was constructed successfully. The library capacity was greater than 2.0 × 106 cfu/mL, and the inserted fragment size was approximately 400 bp to 2000 bp. The average length of the cDNA library fragment was about 1000 bp, and the recombination rate was approximately 100%. Four single-domain antibody sequences were selected, and proteins expressed in the supernatant were obtained. The four VHHs were shown to have biological activity, close affinity to PPRV, and no cross-reaction with common sheep diseases. All four VHHs had neutralization activity, and VHH2 was specific to the PPRV M protein. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary research of PPRV VHHs showed that four screened VHH antibodies could be useful in future applications. This study provided new materials for inclusion in PPRV research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ewes had a mean FWEC result of 702 trichostrongyle and three I Nematodirus battus i epg and the lambs had 315 trichostrongyle and 666 I N. battus i epg. On 28 May 2020, faecal samples were taken from 10 ewes and 10 lambs from the same hill-ground as the affected lamb. Tapeworm infections in lambs are usually incidental, albeit there are anecdotal reports of heavy burdens causing morbidity or mortality (Elliott [7]; Dorchies, [6]; Liu I et al. i [14]). [Extracted from the article]

Three outbreaks of photosensitisation in 4-5-month-old lambs were investigated near Palmerston North, New Zealand. The first grazed paddock comprised chicory ( I Cichorium intybus i ), the second lucerne (alfalfa, I Medicago sativa i ), and the third perennial ryegrass ( I Lolium perenne i ) and white clover ( I Trifolium repens i ); these paddocks appeared virtually weed-free. In those days the term "trefoil" implied medicks and clovers, whereas nowadays this name is reserved for I Lotus i spp. Since, to date, the weight of evidence is limited to field evidence of primary phototoxicity only, both I Lotus i spp., as well as the clovers and lucerne fall into the recently proposed B1 confidence ranking classification (Collett [5]). [Extracted from the article]

Phytotherapy used various preparations in both human and veterinary medicine over time, due to their increased bioavailability and lower costs. Taraxacum officinale of Compositae family, well-known for its therapeutic effects, abundantly grows on Romanian pastures. The research aimed to investigate its alcoholic extract's effects on cellmediated immunity in anti-anthrax vaccinated, grazing sheep. Local Turcana ewes kept on pasture from spring to fall were sc vaccinated with R1190 attenuated anthrax strain, and blood was sampled before and 14 days after the vaccination. In vitro cell-mediated immunity was monitored employing phagocytosis and blast transformation tests in the presence of T. officinale alcoholic extract. The extract increased phagocytosis two weeks after the vaccination (p<0.001), while the blastogenic response also showed significant variations (p<0.05) over time. There was a positive effect of T. officinale extract on the cellular immunity, suggesting its stress alleviating effects in anti-anthrax vaccinated sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythiosis is characterized most commonly by ulcerative dermatitis, mainly in the limbs of sheep and occasionally of goats. In sheep, Pythium insidiosum is also responsible for necrotizing rhinitis characterized by marked enlargement and deformity of the nasal region, severe respiratory difficulty, and bloody nasal discharge. A third form of pythiosis in sheep affects the digestive tract, involving ulceration of the esophagus, forestomachs, and abomasum. Pythiosis in sheep and goats has been reported only in Brazil where it occurs mainly in the semiarid region of the country, when animals congregate and stay for longer periods of time within or around water reservoirs. However, it has been reported as well in areas of humid environments, such as the Pantanal of Mato Grosso and in the Brazilian Cerrado. The diagnosis of the different presentations of pythiosis is based on gross and microscopic findings, coupled with detection of the agent by immunohistochemical, molecular, and/or culture-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine poses lately increasing risks in therapeutic success and threatens the life of patients with various bacterial infections. Environmental bacteria are very likely to develop on the initial lesions induced by orf virus in sheep, worsening the development and prognosis of the disease. The research aimed at verifying the hypothesis that the persistence of the bacteria and thus, increased severity of the orf lesions is residing in the high antibiotic resistance of the co-infecting bacteria. The antibiotics used were gentamicine, cefuroxime, amoxicilline clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, penicillin and thrimetoprim. Multi antibiotic resistance indices were calculated for each strain. Based on the MAR index, at least two of the investigated environmental bacteria strains could further complicate orf lesions and delay the positive effects of the antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is also among the most prevalent zoonotic diseases with special importance for public health that causes drastic financial losses in both developed and developing countries. Among Algerian governorates, M'Sila region includes an important number of sheep flocks. Thus, an epidemiological survey was conducted on sheep hydatidosis during 5 months between December 2017 and April 2018 at three slaughterhouses of M'sila governorate, situated in municipalities of M'Sila, Boussaâda and Sidi Aissa. In parallel, an epidemiological investigation via interviews and questionnaire was conducted from March to April, 2018 on a sample of 46 sheep breeders located in M'Sila region. The questionnaire treated several risk factors (presence and deworming of dogs, informal slaughtering practices, fiability of preventive measures... etc.). Results showed a general prevalence of 24.80% among 9048 slaughtered sheep, and a seasonal prevalence higher in spring (42.02%) than in winter (21.65%) (p>0.05). Sheep of five to six years old and more are the most parasitized (p<0.0001). The lungs (38. 24%) and the livers (30.39%) were the most affected organs, while 31.24% of sheep were affected simultaneously in both organs (liver and lungs). Furthermore, females are more affected (97.99%) than males (2.01%) (p<0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes Rift Valley fever (RVF), resulting in morbidity and mortality in humans and ruminants. Evidence of transboundary outbreaks means that RVFV remains a threat to human health and livestock industries in countries that are free from the disease. To enhance surveillance capability, methods for detection of RVFV are required. The generation of reagents suitable for the detection of RVFV antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from infected animals have been developed and are described herein. Recombinant nucleoprotein (rNP) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Purified rNP was used as an immunogen to produce anti-NP polyclonal antisera in rabbits for use in detection of RVFV NP in experimentally infected animals by immunohistochemistry. Antisera raised in rabbits against rNP were able to recognize viral NP antigen in fixed infected Vero cell pellets and sheep liver. Therefore, the methods and reagents described herein are useful in assays for detection of RVFV infections in animals, for research and surveillance purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case history and clinical findings: A flock of 20 sheep was kept within three paddocks on a single property. None of the animals in the flock had been vaccinated against any disease for at least three years. Abdominal bloating and haemorrhagic diarrhoea were observed in Lamb 1 at 24 hours-of-age. The lamb subsequently died within an hour of the onset of clinical signs. Lamb 2 was 3-days-old when observed to be recumbent with opisthotonus. The lamb was treated with dextrose, vitamins B1 and B12, and penicillin G, but died 4 hours later. Pathological findings: Examination of Lamb 1 revealed markedly increased gas within the peritoneum and within dilated loops of intestine. The intestines were dark red and contained large quantities of haemorrhagic fluid. Histology of the intestines revealed peracute mucosal necrosis with minimal accompanying inflammation. The intestinal lumen contained cell debris, haemorrhage, and myriad large Gram-positive bacilli. The intestines of Lamb 2 did not appear bloated or reddened. However, multiple fibrin clots were visible within the pericardial sac. Histopathological examination revealed small foci of necrosis within the mucosa of the distal intestine. The necrotic foci were often associated with large numbers of large Gram-positive bacilli. Immunohistochemsitry and molecular biology: Intestinal samples from Lamb 1 were processed for Clostridium perfringens immunohistochemistry, which revealed large numbers of intralesional, positively immunostained rods. Fragments corresponding to the expected sizes for genes encoding alpha, beta, and epsilon C. perfringens typing toxins were amplified by PCR from DNA extracted from formalin-fixed sections of intestine. Diagnosis: Lamb dysentery due to C. perfringens type B. Clinical relevance:C. perfringens bacteria have a worldwide distribution, but disease due to C. perfringens type B has only been diagnosed in a small number of countries and has never been reported in New Zealand or Australia. C. perfringens type B produce both beta toxin and epsilon toxins, therefore both haemorrhagic enteritis and systemic vascular damage can develop. As many animals are exposed to C. perfringens without developing disease, there must be additional unknown factors that resulted in disease in these particular sheep. Vaccines that specifically protect against C. perfringens type B are available and may be recommended for use in smaller non-commercial flocks, as in the present case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter infection is a leading cause of ovine abortion worldwide. Campylobacter fetus and C. jejuni are the major species involved. We report herein on abortion storms in 4 Danish sheep flocks. Initially, no pathogenic bacteria were isolated from placental and fetal tissues on aerobic and selective media despite the presence of severe suppurative and necrotizing placentitis with numerous bacteria located intracellularly in trophoblasts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was then applied on abortion material from 13 cases; species-specific oligonucleotide probes directed against either C. fetus or C. jejuni were used in combination with a general bacterial probe. C. fetus was detected as the only lesion-associated bacterial species in 4 cases from 2 flocks, and C. jejuni in 6 cases from the other 2 flocks, thereby establishing the likely etiology of the abortion storms in all 4 flocks. FISH is a useful detection tool in culture-negative cases with tissue lesions suggestive of bacterial infection. Furthermore, FISH is a fast and economical method to detect and identify the zoonotic agent Campylobacter within ovine abortion material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetanus is a neurologic disease of humans and animals characterized by spastic paralysis. Tetanus is caused by tetanus toxin (TeNT) produced by Clostridium tetani, an environmental soilborne, gram-positive, sporulating bacterium. The disease most often results from wound contamination by soil containing C. tetani spores. Horses, sheep, and humans are highly sensitive to TeNT, whereas cattle, dogs, and cats are more resistant. The diagnosis of tetanus is mainly based on the characteristic clinical signs. Identification of C. tetani at the wound site is often difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betaretrovirus-induced transmissible respiratory tumors in sheep arise at 2 distinct anatomic locations, either deep in the lung tissue caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) or in the nasal cavity induced by ovine enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV-1). JSRV and ENTV-1 are found in many countries worldwide and have a significant economic and animal health impact. Although JSRV is endemic in sheep in the British Isles, ENTV-1 has not been reported. We report herein a nasal adenocarcinoma in a cull 8-y-old Belclare ewe from Ireland. The gross and microscopic features and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with an ENTV-1–associated tumor. However, differential PCR, using primers specific to regions of divergent sequence between the viruses, was performed on different parts of the adenocarcinoma and produced consistent results: positive for JSRV and negative for ENTV-1. An association of JSRV with nasal adenocarcinoma in sheep has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. Our case shows the necessity of using PCR in combination with immunohistochemistry to reach an accurate etiologic diagnosis, which is of importance in countries currently free of ENTV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments in sheep, as well as the resistance occurrence risk for the most commonly used substances. Anthelmintic medication efficacy was evaluated on 30 animals from a private farm, located in Sânmihaiu Almaşului, Sălaj County. In vivo studies were performed by using Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) and testing an albendazole-based (ABZ) product. In vitro, we used Egg Hatch Assay (EHA) and Larval Development Assay (LDA) for albendazole (ABZ), mebendazole (MBZ), fenbendazole (FBZ), thiabendazole (TBZ) and ivermectin (IVM) (only for LDA). FECRT showed that intestinal nematodes developed resistance phenomena against the ABZ-based product, with an extensivity of 80% at seven days post therapy, an egg reduction percentage of 41.89% at seven days post-therapy and 43.9% at 14 days posttherapy. The in vitro EHA highlighted a superior efficacy of TBZ (egg hatch percentage at reference concentration being 51.21) compared to ABZ (71.89%), MBZ (84.46%) and FBZ (79.22%), with a minimum risk of anthelmintic resistance. The LDA test revealed the superior efficacy of FBZ (MIC 0.59 mcg/ml) and IVM (MIC 0.078 mcg/ml), with a minimal risk of inducing parasitic resistance. All in vivo and in vitro tests revealed a limited ABZ efficacy, recommending avoiding the therapy with this substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess the epidemiological situation of certain infectious and parasitic diseases of ruminants, a study was carried out in the central abattoir of Jijel on 625 animals (511 cattle, 74 sheep and 40 goats). The results showed that the overall organ contamination rate by the pathologies studied was 17.12% with a higher prevalence rate for fasciolosis (12.32%) compared to other pathologies. In addition, the lungs are contaminated with abscess and hydatidosis (3.04% and 0.48%, respectively), whereas the liver is mainly affected by fasciolosis, abscess and hydatidosis (12.32%, 0.64% and 0.48%), respectively) and the kidneys are affected only by cysts (0.16%). In parallel, the liver is more contaminated (13.44%) compared to the lungs (3.52%) and the kidneys (0.16%). In addition, with the exception of two weak positive correlations between hydatidosis and temperature (r = +0.01689, R2 = +0.00029) and between abscesses and precipitation (r = +0.27335, R2 = +0.07472), other high positive and negative correlations were observed between the rest of the pathologies and mean values of temperature and precipitation. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an extension program of all stakeholders in the industry in order to avoid significant economic losses and preserve consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large, densely packed artificial surface area of artificial lungs results in rapid clotting and device failure. Surface generated nitric oxide (NO) can be used to reduce platelet activation and coagulation on gas exchange fibers, while not inducing patient bleeding due to its short half-life in blood. To generate NO, artificial lungs can be manufactured with PDMS hollow fibers embedded with copper nanoparticles (Cu NP) and supplied with an infusion of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP). The SNAP reacts with Cu NP to generate NO. This study investigates clot formation and gas exchange performance of artificial lungs with either NO-generating Cu-PDMS or standard polymethylpentene (PMP) fibers. One miniature artificial lung (MAL) made with 10 wt% Cu-PDMS hollow fibers and one PMP control MAL were attached to sheep in parallel in a veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit (n = 8). Blood flow through each device was set at 300 mL/min, and each device received a SNAP infusion of 0.12 μmol/min. The ACT was between 110 and 180 s in all cases. Blood flow resistance was calculated as a measure of clot formation on the fiber bundle. Gas exchange experiments comparing the two groups were conducted every 24 h at blood flow rates of 300 and 600 mL/min. Devices were removed once the resistance reached 3x baseline (failure) or following 72 h. All devices were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the inlet, outlet, and middle of the fiber bundle. The Cu-PDMS NO generating MALs had a significantly smaller increase in resistance compared to the control devices. Resistance rose from 26 ± 8 and 23 ± 5 in the control and Cu-PDMS devices, respectively, to 35 ± 8 mmHg/(mL/min) and 72 ± 23 mmHg/(mL/min) at the end of each experiment. The resistance and SEM imaging of fiber surfaces demonstrate lower clot formation on Cu-PDMS fibers. Although not statistically significant, oxygen transfer for the Cu-PDMS MALs was 13.3% less than the control at 600 mL/min blood flow rate. Future in vivo studies with larger Cu–PDMS devices are needed to define gas exchange capabilities and anticoagulant activity over a long-term study at clinically relevant ACTs. In artificial lungs, the large, densely-packed blood contacting surface area of the hollow fiber bundle is critical for gas exchange but also creates rapid, surface-generated clot requiring significant anticoagulation. Monitoring of anticoagulation, thrombosis, and resultant complications has kept permanent respiratory support from becoming a clinical reality. In this study, we use a hollow fiber material that generates nitric oxide (NO) to prevent platelet activation at the blood contacting surface. This material is tested in vivo in a miniature artificial lung and compared against the clinical standard. Results indicated significantly reduced clot formation. Surface-focused anticoagulation like this should reduce complication rates and allow for permanent respiratory support by extending the functional lifespan of artificial lungs and can further be applied to other medical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep is a hazardous zoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). At present, serological test is an important diagnostic method for Eg infection in domestic animals. Here, a fusion protein Eg mefAg-1 harboring 8 dominant B-cell epitopes of Eg such as antigen B, tetraspanin 1, tetraspanin 6, reticulon and Eg95 was produced in E. coli and evaluated for CE in sheep by indirect ELISA. Eg mefAg-1 showed in ELISA a high sensitivity (93.41%) and specificity (99.31%), with a coincidence rate of 97.02%. Overall, it is suggested that the Eg mefAg-1 could be a potential antigen candidate for CE serodiagnosis in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucella ovis is a bacterial pathogen present in most major sheep-producing regions of the world. The pathogen is associated with ram infertility, decreased ewe conception rates, and premature lambs. Twenty ELISA seropositive or indeterminate rams were culled from a B. ovis–positive flock, and donated to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for evaluation of infection. Tissues from each ram were collected at autopsy for additional testing, including bacterial culture, PCR, and histopathology. Of 17 seropositive rams, 11 rams were also positive by culture and PCR, and had evidence of mild histologic lesions; 1 seropositive ram was positive by culture with mild histologic lesions, but negative by PCR. Five seropositive rams were negative by culture and PCR and had no histologic lesions. Three indeterminate rams were negative by culture and by PCR and had no histologic lesions. The tissues in which B. ovis was most often detected included the epididymis, vesicular gland, and ampulla. Although this was a small study, the observation that 5 of 17 (29%) rams that were initially seropositive had no evidence of infection is interesting. A convalescent test for valuable seropositive animals prior to culling may be useful, and reproductive tissues may be evaluated postmortem if confirmatory testing is desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the pathogen-causing diarrhoea in sheep Ovis aries in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area, China. A trophozoite was identified as species of ciliate alveolates infecting the sheep based on morphological characteristics examined by microscope. It was mostly spherical, colourless and transparent, with many vesicles. Macronucleus and contractile vacuoles could not be distinguished. Size of the trophozoite was 80-180×70-150 µm and its surface was covered with cilia. Molecular analysis based on sequences of 18S rRNA and ITS genes confirmed the ciliate species as Balantidium coli. According to the literature, there have been many epidemiological investigations of B. coli infection in pigs, monkeys and humans. To our knowledge, this was the first report of B. coli infections in sheep in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area of China, or eleswhere around the world. Importantly, the sheep case was rare but raised our concern that B. coli may spread across species and expand its host range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freemartinism syndrome affects almost all female calves born as co-twins to male calves, whereas little is known about this phenomenon in female sheep. Within this context, 1,185 ewe-lambs from the Ripollesa sheep breed were genotyped for the presence of oY1 polymorphism (a non-autosomal region of the Y chromosome). Neither ewe-lambs from single births (856) nor ewe-lambs from all-female multiple births (170) were revealed as freemartins, whereas five of 159 ewe-lambs from multiple births with male co-twins were freemartins (3.15 ± 1.38%). All freemartin ewe-lambs were confirmed by physical examination of external genitalia. The results confirm a low incidence of freemartinism from heterosexual twin pregnancies in Ripollesa sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To determine seroprevalence of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and L. interrogans serovar Pomona in beef cattle, sheep and deer in New Zealand and the association between farm-level risk factors and seroprevalence. METHODS: Between June 2009 and July 2010, 20 serum samples per flock or herd were collected from 162 sheep flocks, and 116 beef cattle and 99 deer herds from 238 farms, along with farm data by interview. Samples were tested for antibodies to serovars Hardjo and Pomona by microscopic agglutination testing, with a titre ≥48 being positive. Species-specific associations between herd-level seroprevalence (number of seropositive animals, for each serovar, divided by the number of animals tested) and herd-level risk factors were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Vaccinated animals were excluded from seroprevalence estimates but included in multivariable analyses. RESULTS: For sheep (n=3,339), animal-level seroprevalence was 43.6 (95% CI=41.9-45.3)% for serovar Hardjo and 14.1 (95% CI=12.9-15.3)% for serovar Pomona; for beef cattle(n=1,886), it was 45.6 (95% CI=43.3-47.9)% for Hardjo and 19.6 (95% CI=17.9-21.5)% for Pomona; and for deer (n=1,870), it was 26.3 (95% CI=24.3-28.4)% for Hardjo, 8.8 (95% CI=7.6-10.2)% for Pomona. In sheep flocks (n=161), flock-level prevalence for Hardjo varied from 77.9-91.3%, and for Pomona from 40.4-73.9%, when ≥1, ≥2 or ≥3 animals were seropositive. In beef herds (n=95), herd-level prevalence for Hardjo varied from 79.0-90.5%, and for Pomona from 42.1-68.4%. In deer herds (n=93), herd-level prevalence for Hardjo varied from 45.2-59.1%, and for Pomona from 22.6-48.4%. For sheep flocks, herd-level seroprevalence for Hardjo was associated with flock size (OR=1.56) and number of dogs (OR=0.75), and for Pomona, seroprevalence varied with region. For beef cattle, herd-level seroprevalence for Hardjo was associated with herd size (OR=1.4), presence of dams (OR=0.6) and vaccination (OR=2.9), and for Pomona, co-grazing with deer (OR=0.4), vaccination (OR=3.22), presence of dams (OR=0.2) and streams (OR=2.7). For deer herds, seroprevalence for Hardjo or Pomona was associated with herd size (OR=1.6 and 1.8) and varied with region, and for Pomona seroprevalence varied with season (summer vs. winter: OR=4.8). CONCLUSIONS: Serovars Hardjo and Pomona were highly prevalent at herd and animal levels, with serovar Hardjo highest in all species. Larger herd size was the common risk factor for seroprevalence in all livestock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To develop a clinical model of perennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT) based on feeding a known dose of lolitrem B and ergotamine, and to produce a consistent clinical presentation for assessment of disease pathophysiology, neurological changes and neurohistopathology. METHODS: Male lambs, aged between 10-12 months, were randomly assigned to either Treatment (n=9) or Control (n=9) groups. Lambs in the Treatment group received feed containing a novel endophyte-infested perennial ryegrass seed, commencing on Day 0 of the Feeding phase with a low induction dose, then increasing after 3 days to provide 0.16 mg/kg live bodywight (LBW)/day of lolitrem B and 0.054 mg/kg LBW/day ergotamine. Lambs were examined daily and when defined signs of PRGT were observed they were transferred to the Testing phase. Neurological examinations, assessment of gait, surface electromyography (EMG) and mechanosensory nociceptive threshold testing were carried out and blood samples collected during both phases of the trial, with a full necropsy, histopathological examination and measurement of faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) performed on Day 2 of the Testing phase. RESULTS: Typical clinical signs of PRGT, including ataxia of vestibulocerebellar origin leading to stumbling, were observed in all Treatment lambs. The median interval from the start of the Feeding phase to entry into the Testing phase was 21 (min 18, max 34) days. Histopathological characterisation of neurological lesions included the presence of Purkinje cell vacuolation, pyknotic granular layer neurons and proximal axonal Purkinje cell spheroids. Lesions were most apparent within the vestibulocerebellum. Mean root-mean-square voltages from triceps EMG increased in Treatment lambs between Feeding phase Day 0 and Testing phase Day 2 (p<0.001). Daily water intake during the Testing phase for the Treatment group was less than in Control group lambs (p=0.002), and concentrations of FCM at necropsy were higher in Treatment compared to Control lambs (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lolitrem B and ergotamine dosing in feed on a live weight basis combined with neurological/gait assessment provides an effective model for investigation of PRGT and potential therapeutics. Assessment of gait changes using defined criteria and RMS voltages from EMG appear to be useful tools for the assessment of the severity of neurological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To determine if abdominal insufflation with medical air will improve oxygenation and ventilation parameters when compared to insufflation with CO2 in xylazine-sedated sheep undergoing laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI). METHODS: Forty-seven sheep underwent oestrus synchronisation and were fasted for 24 hours prior to laparoscopic AI. Each animal was randomised to receive either CO2 or medical air for abdominal insufflation. An auricular arterial catheter was placed and utilised for serial blood sampling. Respiratory rates (RR) and arterial blood samples were collected at baseline, after xylazine (0.1 mg/kg I/V) sedation, 2 minutes after Trendelenburg positioning, 5 minutes after abdominal insufflation, and 10 minutes after being returned to a standing position. Blood samples were collected in heparinised syringes, stored on ice, and analysed for arterial pH, partial pressure of arterial O2 (PaO2), and CO2 (PaCO2). The number of ewes conceiving to AI was also determined. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated temporal effects on RR, PaO2, PaCO2 and arterial pH during the laparoscopic AI procedure (p<0.001), but no difference between insufflation groups (p>0.01). No sheep experienced hypercapnia (PaCO2>50 mmHg) or acidaemia (pH<7.35). Hypoxaemia (PaO2<70 mmHg) was diagnosed during the procedure in 14/22 (64%) ewes in the CO2 group compared with 8/23 (35%) ewes in the medical air group (p=0.053). Overall, 15/20 (75%) ewes in the CO2 group conceived to AI compared with 16/22 (72.7%) in the medical air group (p=0.867). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There were no statistical or clinical differences in RR, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, or conception to AI when comparing the effects of CO2 and medical air as abdominal insufflation gases. None of the sheep experienced hypercapnia or acidaemic, yet 42% (19/45) of sheep developed clinical hypoxaemia, with a higher percentage of ewes in the CO2 group developing hypoxaemia than in the medical air group. Based on the overall analysis, medical air could be utilised as a comparable alternative for abdominal insufflation during laparoscopic AI procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of varying degrees of water salinity on the ultrasonographical and histopathological appearance of the liver and kidneys in Barki sheep. Thirty Barki sheep (initial weight, 29.48 ± 0.81 kg) were allocated into three groups (n=10 per group) based on the type of drinking water for 9 months: the tap water (TW) group (350 ppm total dissolved solids [TDS]); the moderate saline water (MSW) group (4,557 ppm TDS); and the high saline water (HSW) group (8,934 ppm TDS). After 9 months, the body weight was significantly decreased in sheep subjected to MSW (P=0.0347) and HSW (P=0.0424). Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine were significantly increased (P<0.05) in sheep subjected to MSW and HSW. Ultrasonographic examination of the right and left kidneys revealed an increased length of both kidneys with crystal formation, particularly in male sheep. Ultrasonographic examination of the liver showed hyperechogenic dots varying in size and number between males and females. Histopathological examination of kidney revealed significant changes in both MSW and HSW groups such as hyaline matrix formation, atrophied glomerular tufts, and intramedullary congestion. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed slight fatty liver changes, slight fibrosis around the bile duct, massive inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar changes of hepatocytes in both MSW and HSW groups. In conclusion, water salinity negatively affects the body weight, liver and kidney appearance of Barki sheep and thus sheep production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To evaluate a multivalent leptospiral and clostridial vaccine for prevention of renal colonisation and urinary shedding in sheep, following experimental challenge with New Zealand strains of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo type Hardjobovis and L. interrogans serovar Pomona. METHODS: Two separate but similarly designed studies were conducted. In both studies, Romney-cross lambs, aged 9-11 weeks, were randomly allocated to a vaccinated group and a control group. Vaccinated lambs each received two 1.5-mL S/C doses of a multivalent leptospiral and clostridial vaccine, 4 weeks apart, and animals in the control groups received the same dose of saline. Groups of 12 vaccinated and 12 control lambs were randomly selected in each study for challenge with serovars Hardjo or Pomona. Challenge was initiated 16 weeks following the second vaccination with three daily doses of live leptospires by intranasal and conjunctival routes. Following challenge, urine samples were collected weekly for 6 weeks, for dark field microscopy and leptospiral culture; 6 weeks after challenge the lambs were slaughtered and kidneys collected for leptospiral culture. RESULTS: In lambs challenged with serovar Hardjo, 8/12 unvaccinated lambs had ≥1 urine or kidney sample that was positive for leptospires following culture, compared with 0/12 lambs in the vaccinated group (p=0.001). In lambs challenged with serovar Pomona, 9/12 unvaccinated lambs had ≥1 urine or kidney sample that was positive following culture, compared with 0/12 lambs in the vaccinated group (p<0.001). Prevention of renal colonisation and urinary shedding, expressed as the prevented fraction, was 100 (95% CI=61.7-100)% and 100 (95% CI=68.3-100)% against challenge with serovars Hardjo and Pomona, respectively, at 4 months after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of a multivalent leptospiral and clostridial vaccine demonstrated protection against challenge from New Zealand strains of serovars of Hardjo and Pomona 4 months after vaccination in lambs first vaccinated at 9-11 weeks of age. Further studies are required to assess the duration of immunity against challenge in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrobacter freundii is considered a ubiquitous organism and an opportunistic pathogen. Reports of C. freundii–associated disease in mammals have been very limited. We report an outbreak of C. freundii septicemia and encephalitis in sheep, with a high mortality rate; 13 adult sheep were found dead over a 6-d period on a farm in central China that housed ~1,370 sheep. Three animals were autopsied and showed septicemia, congestion of meningeal vessels, and pleural effusion. C. freundii was isolated in abundance in pure culture from 19 of 21 organs. All 3 C. freundii isolates had similar antimicrobial resistance phenotypes for 10 of the 11 agents tested, and were sensitive to 8 of the 11 agents. We reproduced C. freundii infection in sheep experimentally by oral or subcutaneous inoculation routes, and recovered the challenge organism from all of the experimentally infected sheep. Intramuscular injection of enrofloxacin protected sheep against an otherwise fatal challenge. Our results suggest that C. freundii played a major role in this disease outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Ovine visna/maedi (VM) infection is characterized by the development of chronic inflammatory lesions in different organs, mainly in the lung, mammary gland and central nervous system (CNS), with either histiocytic or lymphocytic pattern predominance being described in the CNS. To help to understand the role of host immune response in the development of these patterns, 50 naturally-infected sheep and eight non-infected sheep from intensive milk-producing flocks were studied. The histological lesion patterns in the three main target organs in each sheep were characterized. Lesion severity was determined, including minimal lesions. A histiocytic pattern was observed in 23 sheep (46%), a lymphocytic inflammatory pattern in 19 sheep (38%) and a mixed inflammatory pattern in eight sheep (16%). Forty animals showed moderate or severe lesions (80%), while 10 had minimal lesions (20%). Moderate or severe lesions affected only one target organ in 20 sheep (50%), two organs in 14 sheep (35%) and all three target organs in six sheep (15%). Infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using an antibody specific for p28 of VM virus/caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all sheep. Minimal inflammatory lesions associated with positive IHC and PCR were observed. The results suggest that the development of a predominant inflammatory pattern in different organs within the same animal may be related to the host immune response. Minimal and focal lesions, not considered previously, should be taken into account when formulating a differential diagnosis in affected sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, MC1R, which play an important role in normal pigmentation in Skeen and wool, was candidate to assess the lethal grey disease in Persian lamb. Blood samples (50) were collected randomly from grey Shiraz sheep, and DNA was extracted by salting out method. One of these samples showing the disease was assigned as control case. Two pairs of specific primers of P1MC1R and P2MC1R were designed to amplify two fragments from upstream regulatory region (URR) and coding sequence (CDS) of MC1R gene. After genotyping by SSCP technique, samples from each banding patterns were sequenced and analyzed using BioEdit and DNASIS MAX softwares. Comparing sequences from control (sick lamb) with healthy ones showed different haplotype in products of each specific primer pairs. The multiple alignments revealed a 26 bp In/Del occurring at PCR product of P1MC1R gene in control case which was not observed in other studied lambs, and also 7 and 11 different positions were seen between sequence amplified by P1MC1R and P2MC1R primers, respectively. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that 26 bp insertion/deletion (In/Del) occurred in control case P1MC1R sequence caused deletion of gamma_IRE_CS and LBP_1_RS motifs from URR of control case. It seems this 26 bp In/Del mutation might have changed its expression and can be potential cause of grey lethal disease in studied sheep breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic and most economically important parasite of sheep and goats worldwide. The cysteine proteases from H. contortus are prime targets for vaccine development. In the present communication we report the molecular expression and characterization of cathepsin B-like cysteine protease, GCP7 gene of H. contortus to study its efficiency as target protein for immunoprophylaxis against haemonchosis in sheep and goats. The complete ORF of GCP7 gene, devoid of the signal sequence, was amplified by RT-PCR from mRNA isolated from H. contortus and was cloned initially into pTZ57R/T cloning vector and then sub-cloned in the pET32a(+) expression vector to produce GCP7 antigen. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the GCP7 was aligned against the related sequences of H. contortus available in public domain for in silico analysis by DNA STAR and MEGA version 4.0 softwares. The nucleotide sequence revealed that the GCP7 gene of H. contortus (Indian isolate) encodes 324 amino acids (devoid of signal sequence) and its nucleotide sequence had 95.9% to 99.4% sequence homology with that of U.S.A. and previously published Indian isolates. A high level expression of recombinant (r) GCP7 protein was observed in the molecular range (Mr) of 55 kDa. The rGCP7 protein was confirmed by its specific immunoreactivity against known reference positive sheep sera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic necrotizing polyarteritis was diagnosed in three 7–11-mo-old lambs from the same flock. Aneurysmal dilation and rupture of the gastroduodenal artery in 1 lamb resulted in fatal hemorrhage. All lambs had severe necrotizing vasculitis involving the small intestine, abomasum, mesentery, kidney, and heart with concurrent lymphocytic enteritis. Immunohistochemistry for T- and B-lymphocytes and macrophages found a T-cell– and macrophage-dominant transmural vascular infiltrate and T-cell–associated enteritis. PCR analysis for pestivirus failed to identify infection in 1 lamb, and more extensive viral microarray techniques applied to the second and third lamb failed to detect viral nucleic acid. The identification of 3 cases within 1 flock raises the possibility of a common etiology; however, no cause was established. A genetic etiology was not considered likely as not all of the lambs were related. The presence of concurrent T-lymphocyte–associated enteritis raises the possibility of an immune-mediated disease process linking the vasculitis and enteric lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate and simple-to-perform new version of a competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit that became commercially available in 2015 for testing of cattle for antibody to Anaplasma marginale was validated for detection of Anaplasma ovis antibody in domestic sheep. True positives and negatives were identified using nested PCR (nPCR) as the gold standard. Negative bovine control sera supplied with the kit were used to calculate % inhibition (%I), designated bovine control ELISA (BcELISA), and this was compared to %I calculated from negative ovine sera derived from hand-raised, pathogen-free sheep, designated ovine control ELISA (OcELISA). The receiver operating characteristics area under the curve was 1.0 with a p value <0.001 regardless of the source of the control sera. The cutoff values for negative BcELISA and OcELISA were <30%I and <27%I, respectively. Our work confirmed that this Anaplasma antibody cELISA kit version 2 can be used with the serum controls supplied in the kit to test for A. ovis antibody in domestic sheep. Furthermore, this work confirmed the historically high infection prevalence (>93%) at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (Dubois, Idaho), in spite of efforts to reduce the possibility for iatrogenic transmission there, suggesting high levels of tick-borne transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine the variation in intensity of strongyle infection and performance in lambs of three divergent lines (selected for resistance or susceptibility to Haemonchus contortus and unselected) in semiarid Rajasthan. From the year 2004 to 2014, a total of 13,515 faecal samples from lambs (5-6 month of age) naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) were evaluated for intensity of strongyle infection and estimated pasture contamination rate by them. The monthly mean intensity of strongyle infection remained significantly higher in susceptible line compared to other lines. In the month of peak parasitism (September), minimum proportion (34.54-45.61%) of animals possess higher FEC in resistant lambs followed by unselected (44.32-50.50%) and maximum (53.58-56.27%) by susceptible lambs. In majority of months, resistant lambs had lower contamination rate (>30%) compared to susceptible lambs. The magnitude of average daily gain (ADG) in body weight exhibited significant variation among different lines only between 6-9 months of age in Malpura (31.1±1.2 g/day in unselected line to 38.5±2.3 g/day in resistant line) and Avikalin breed (27.1±1.8 g/day in unselected line to 35.6±1.7 g/day in resistant line). During peak wormy season, a significant and negative correlation was found between FEC and weight at 6 and 9 month of age in susceptible line only. The study suggested that management of gastrointestinal nematodosis in flock through selection of sheep for resistance to strongyle worms led to decreased pasture contamination, lower intensity of infection with better performance in resistant flock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Conditions causing reproductive failure are a significant concern in the livestock industry, and amongst these, ovine toxoplasmosis is one of the most important. Despite decades of research, there remain gaps in knowledge about this disease, especially regarding the pathogenesis of abortion in sheep. As for other diseases causing ovine abortion, such as chlamydial abortion or border disease, the consequences of infection with Toxoplasma gondii depend largely on the stage of gestation, but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Immunological modulation occurring during gestation has been proposed as the main mechanism accounting for this clinical variation. However, the extent and effect of such modulation has not yet been identified clearly in sheep and the involvement of other unknown factors has been proposed. Recent experimental studies have defined an unacknowledged clinical presentation of ovine toxoplasmosis, where abortions occur during the acute phase of infection, resulting in as high as 100% fetal loss in susceptible sheep. The pathogenesis of this clinical form differs from that of classically described ovine toxoplasmosis, and its pathological features resemble those of the perinatal syndrome known as cerebral palsy in man. A range of variables, including individual susceptibility, isolate virulence and infective dose, have been proposed as key factors in the development of one or the other of these clinical forms and warrants further investigation in this important disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eikenella corrodens1073 was found to show hemolytic activity when grown on sheep blood agar. A high and dose-dependent hemolytic activity was detected in the cell envelope fraction, which was further purified by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Consequently, a 65-kDa protein with hemolytic activity was obtained, suggesting that this protein might be a hemolysin. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence was nearly identical to that of X-prolyl aminopeptidase fromE. corrodensATCC 23834. To confirm that X-prolyl aminopeptidase functions as a hemolytic factor, we expressed thehlyAgene, encoding X-prolyl aminopeptidase, inEscherichia coli. After induction with isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, a protein of about 65 kDa was purified on a Ni column, and its hemolytic activity was confirmed. Meanwhile, a strain with a disruptedhlyAgene, which was constructed by homologous recombination, did not show any hemolytic activity. These results suggested that X-prolyl aminopeptidase might function as a hemolysin inE. corrodens. Eikenella corrodens1073 showed hemolytic activity when grown on sheep blood agar. We purified and identified the hemolytic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We evaluated the effect of different storage conditions on the concentration of serum total proteins and their electrophoretic fractions in sheep. Blood samples were collected from 12 female Comisana sheep, and each serum obtained was divided into 4 aliquots. The first aliquot was analyzed immediately after separation (T0); the second was refrigerated at 4°C and analyzed after 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2), and 72 h (T3); the third was stored at −20°C immediately after centrifugation and analyzed after 2 days (T4); and the last aliquot was stored at −20°C after 24-h refrigeration and analyzed after 1 wk (T5). The concentrations of serum total proteins and their electrophoretic fractions (albumin, α-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins) was determined. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect of storage conditions on all serum electrophoretic protein fractions and on the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio was found. The values of albumin, α-globulins, and A/G ratio increased at T4 with respect to T0. The levels of α-globulins were higher at T1 than T0; the β1-globulins levels changed at T3, whereas the β2- and γ-globulins values as well as the A/G ratio changed at T2 and T3. At T4, we found an increase in the serum concentrations of albumin, α1-globulins, and on the A/G ratio, and a decrease of γ fraction. At T5, the concentration of α-globulins was higher than at T0. Hence, we recommend electrophoretic analysis of fresh ovine serum samples or of samples refrigerated for no more than 24 h to obtain accurate data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale ( A. marginale ) and Anaplasma ovis from sheep and goat in different highland pasture in west of Iran. Methods From July 2015 to October 2015, 370 blood samples of sheep and goat were collected from different regions in Hamedan province, Iran. The DNA extracted from blood and subsequently, 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes were analyzed by nested-PCR, semi nested-PCR and RFLP methods. Results In the PCR assessment, overall 27.5% (102/370) of sheep and goat were positive for Anaplasma ovis and A. marginale infection, which was lower than reports from tropical and subtropical regions of Iran. Statistical analysis (the Chi -square test) did not show any significant relation between infection and variables such as location, tick infestation age and sex ( P > 0.05). No significant correlation between the altitude and the Anaplasma species infection was found (Mann–Whitney test: P > 0.05). However, Anaplasma infection in goat significantly is more than the sheep ( P = 0.008). Conclusions The ecological changes affect the frequency and distribution of Anaplasma species. Furthermore, our results indicate that sheep as potential reservoirs of A. marginale . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary To highlight the important role of post-mortem examination of ruminants and to identify possible benefits for modern ruminant medicine, a comparison of clinical and pathological diagnoses was conducted and influencing factors were identified. For this purpose, results from 2,000 ruminants that had undergone necropsy examination at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, were analysed retrospectively. Both clinical and pathological diagnoses were available for 81.40% of cattle, 80.22% of sheep and 66.66% of goats; no diagnoses were available for 3.86% of cattle, 3.30% of sheep and 7.41% of goats. In the remaining cases, either the pathological diagnosis or the clinical diagnosis was unavailable. The greatest influences on the presence of diagnoses were the way in which the animal died, the type of necropsy examination and the age of the animal. The majority of diagnoses were attributed to digestive and respiratory disorders in cattle and digestive, neurological and urinary disorders in small ruminants. The main clinical diagnoses was confirmed pathologically in 86.20% of cattle, 85.51% of sheep and 82.00% of goats, while 7.03% of diagnoses in cattle, 12.26% in sheep and 11.00% in goats could not be confirmed by post-mortem or histopathological examinations. Relevant additional information or specification of diagnoses was given in 70.87% of cattle, 45.21% of sheep and 56.66% of goats. The concurrence of diagnoses and diagnosis specification was most influenced by the way in which the animal died, the type of necropsy examination that was conducted, the performance of histopathology following the necropsy examination and whether the animal was submitted in connection with a livestock health problem. This study highlighted the abiding importance of the post-mortem examination in modern ruminant medicine, despite technical advances in clinical technologies, both as a diagnostic tool and for quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the protective antigen gene based molecular epidemiology of a massive anthrax outbreak in sheep that killed over 100 sheep. The outbreak was unique since the use of higher antibiotics immediately after the live anthrax vaccine had facilitated wide spread of the disease and unscientific disposal of carcasses had precipitated the disease magnitude. B. anthracis was isolated from ear blood samples collected from dead sheep. The isolates were non-motile, non-hemolytic and were pathogenic to mice. Gene coding for the toxic factor ‘protective antigen’ was targeted for PCR amplification as per WHO and OIE protocols. Sequencing of nucleotides on the conserved pag gene showed that the B. anthracis isolated during this study shared a sequence identity of more than 99.9% with B. anthracis isolates from different species, including human beings. The phylogeny demonstrated the genetic stability of the immunologically protective pag gene across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary Laryngeal chondritis is a chronic disease in sheep with low morbidity, high mortality and unresolved pathogenesis. The disease has been recognized recently in Iceland and affects both ewes and rams. Animals of different ages are affected, but lambs and yearlings predominate. The disease is seen in housed animals and most cases occur during the late winter months. We report the gross and microscopical findings in 45 cases of laryngeal chondritis in Icelandic sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ~21-year-old female Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) died spontaneously following a lengthy episode of difficulty in walking. An ~6 × 3 × 3 cm, unilocular cystic growth was found in the cranioventral thorax. The fibrotic cystic wall, lined by a single layer of flattened to cuboidal epithelial cells, was invaginated and partially encircled solid masses of fusiform neoplastic cells with multiple intratumoral cystic structures. The fusiform neoplastic cells were intensely positive for cytokeratin (CK) and partially positive for α–smooth muscle actin and vimentin, but negative for thyroid transcription factor–1 (TTF-1) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The intratumoral cysts were lined by CK-positive but TTF-1– negative, NSE-negative, flattened, cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells, suggestive of cystically dilated medullary duct epithelium-derived structures. Based on the location and histopathologic findings of the growth, concurrent spindle-cell thymoma and thymic cysts was diagnosed. We also discuss the correlation between thymic cysts and thymoma and review the literature of thymomas in ovine and wildlife species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]