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Hypomagnesemia is a major cause of death in grazing beef cows in countries of the Southern Hemisphere such as Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Here we review the literature on hypomagnesemia in beef cattle and describe an outbreak in Uruguay. The disease occurred in late autumn, affecting 6 to 11-year-old Aberdeen Angus and Hereford x Aberdeen Angus lactating multiparous cows in good body condition, grazing on natural grasslands that had been improved by fertilization and sowing of seeds of ryegrass and oat. Approximately 40 out of 225 cows were affected and 24 (10.7%) died. A presumptive diagnosis of hypomagnesemia was established based on sudden death, acute neuromuscular clinical signs, epidemiological data, and the response to Mg administration. The diagnosis was confirmed by detecting low Mg concentrations in serum (0.47-0.57mmol/L), vitreous humor (0.47-0.80mmol/L), aqueous humor (0.66mmol/L) and cerebrospinal fluid (0.59mmol/L). The largest component of the diet corresponding to fast-growing and exuberant forages of ryegrass and oat had high concentrations of K (3.48%), N (4.38%) and P (0.94%), suggesting secondary hypomagnesemia. In addition, the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio was 2.38 in forages of ryegrass and oat (reference value: 2.2), and 0.15 in the soil (reference value: 0.09), which represent risk factors for hypomagnesemia. In conclusion, hypomagnesemia is an important cause of mortality in beef cattle grazing improved natural grasslands in Uruguay and it can be easily prevented by correct seasonal Mg supplementation.RESUMO:A hipomagnesemia é uma das principais causas de morte em vacas de corte em pastagem em países do Hemisfério Sul, como Argentina, Austrália e Nova Zelândia. Aqui, revisamos a literatura sobre hipomagnesemia em bovinos de corte e descrevemos um surto no Uruguai. A doença ocorreu no final do outono, afetando vacas Aberdeen Angus e Aberdeen Angus x Hereford de 6-11 anos de idade em boas condições corporais, lactantes, multíparas e pastando em campos naturais que foram melhorados com fertilização e plantio de azevém e aveia. Aproximadamente 40 de 225 vacas foram afetadas e 24 (10,7%) morreram. O diagnóstico presuntivo de hipomagnesemia foi estabelecido com base na morte súbita, sinais clínicos neuromusculares agudos, dados epidemiológicos e a resposta à administração de Mg. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pela detecção de baixos níveis de Mg no soro (0,47-0,57mmol/L), humor vítreo (0,47-0,80mmol/L), humor aquoso (0,66mmol/L) e líquido cefalorraquidiano (0,59mmol/L). O componente mais importante da dieta correspondia a pastagens de azevém e aveia de rápido crescimento, as quais apresentaram altas concentrações de K (3,48%), N (4,38%) e P (0,94%), que sugerem hipomagnesemia secundária. Além disso, a relação K/(Ca+Mg) foi de 2,38 em forragens de azevém e aveia (valor de referência: 2,2) e 0,15 no solo (valor de referência: 0,09), que representam fatores de risco para hipomagnesemia. Em conclusão, a hipomagnesemia é uma causa importante de mortalidade em gado de corte em pastagens naturais melhoradas no Uruguai e pode ser facilmente prevenida pela correta suplementação sazonal de Mg.

Escherichia coli ETEC, EPEC, NTEC and STEC/EHEC pathotypes are often isolatedfrom bovine feces. The objective of this study was to detect 21 E. coli virulence genes in fecesfrom 252 dairy calves in Uruguay (149 with neonatal diarrhea --- NCD --- and 103 asymptomatic).Genes iucD, f17A, afa8E, papC, clpG and f17G(II) were the most prevalent (81.3%; 48.4%; 37.3%;35.7%; 34.1%; 31.3%, respectively). Genes eae, stx1and stx2 were poorly represented; 13/252animals harbored one or a combination of these genes. The prevalence of the cnf gene was4.4%, while that of cdt-IV and cdt-III genes was 24.2% and 12.7% respectively. This study reportsupdated data about the virulence profiles of E. coli in dairy calves in Uruguay. A large number ofadhesins and toxin genes were detected. Our results demonstrate that E. coli from bovine feceshas diarrheagenic and extraintestinal profiles although other NCD risks factors may contributeto the disease outcome.Resumen:Los patotipos de Escherichia coli ETEC, EPEC, NTEC y STEC/EHEC son frecuentemente aislados de heces bovinas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue detectar 21 genes de virulencia de E. coli en las heces de 252 terneros de leche en Uruguay, 149 de ellos con síntomas de diarrea neonatal (DNT) y 103 asintomáticos. Los genes iucD, f17A, afa8E, papC, clpG y f17G(II) fueron los más prevalentes (81,3; 48,4; 37,3; 35,7; 34,1 y 31,3%, respectivamente). Los genes eae, stx1 y stx2 estuvieron poco representados: 13/252 animales presentaron uno o una combinación de dichos genes. La prevalencia del gen cnf fue del 4,4%, mientras que la de los genes cdt-IV y cdt-III fue del 24,2 y 12,7%, respectivamente. Este trabajo aporta datos actualizados sobre el perfil de virulencia de E. coli en terneros en Uruguay. Fueron detectados un alto número de genes de adherencia y de toxinas. Se demuestra que los aislamientos de E. coli recuperados de heces de terneros presentan perfiles diarreogénicos y extraintestinales, aunque otros factores de riesgo de DNT podrán contribuir al desarrollo de la enfermedad.

Campylobacter fetus is an important reproductive pathogen of ruminants that occasionally infects humans. Here, we describe the complete circularized genome of a strain of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus isolated from a sheep. The final assembly consisted of a unique contig with a length of 1,849,237 bp

A Corrigendum on "Dairy Calves in Uruguay Are Reservoirs of Zoonotic Subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum and Pose a Potential Risk of SurfaceWater Contamination"by Caffarena, R. D., Meireles, M. V., Carrasco-Letelier, L., Picasso-Risso, C., Santana, B. N., Riet-Correa, F., et al. (2020). Front. Vet. Sci. 7:562. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00562 In the original article, there was an error in the acknowledgments section. The names of three persons and a staff group were omitted.A correction has been made to the acknowledgments: We also thank María Laura Casaux, Carlos Schild, Martín Fraga, and the staff from the Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal of INIA for their technical assistance.

An outbreak of systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology was diagnosed in a dairy herd from Argentina. Eleven out of 211 cows manifested hyperthermia, depression, alopecia, pruritus, decreased milk production and death in most cases. During necropsy, multifocal petechial hemorrhages in glottis and vulva, white multifocal nodules in the liver and splenomegaly with subcapsular petechial hemorrhages were observed. Both kidneys were diffuse pale and enlarged. Systemic granulomatous hepatitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis and nephritis were observed. Water and food samples tested negative for Arsenic and T2 toxin, respectively. Fusarium equiseti was isolated from alfalfa hay samples. Vicia spp. was not consumed by the affected herd and no other cause of vetch-like disease was registered. Other causes of granulomatous lesions (Mycobacterium spp. and fungal infections) were discarded. The systemic granulomatous disease was suggestive of a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Although the sensitizing agent was not determined, two components of the ration were suspected: cotton seed and bone ash. Both of them were introduced one month prior to the detection of the first affected cow and the disease resolved since they were removed from the diet.

This study described five cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the pinnae, eyelids, and eyes of Friesian Milchschaf sheep from two flocks raised under extensive conditions in Uruguay. The prevalence values for both flocks were 2.12% and 2.53%, respectively. Macroscopically, single or multiple, nodular, verrucous, or plaque-like neoplasms, with occasional ulceration and bleeding, were observed in the affected areas. Histologically, well- and moderately-differentiated SCCs were diagnosed in three and two cases, respectively. The Milchschaf breed is native of Germany, and its individuals present white non-pigmented skin with the face and legs clear of fleece, thus adapted to areas with lower solar radiation. Additionally, in the German breeding systems, animals remain indoors for long periods. The increased exposure time to higher levels of solar radiation of the Uruguayan extensive production systems may be a predisposing factor for the development of SCC in this sheep breed. In Uruguay, there is more solar radiation and the production systems provide less protection against sunlight compared with the German production system. The high frequency of SCC should be considered prior to introducing European breeds with non-pigmented skin in Uruguay and other countries of the region.RESUMO:Descreveram-se carcinomas de células escamosas (CCE) nas orelhas, pálpebras e olhos em cinco ovinos da raça Frisona Milchschaf em dois rebanhos de criação extensiva no Uruguai. A prevalência nos rebanhos foi de 2,12% e 2,53%. Macroscopicamente se observaram lesões focais ou multifocais, com aumento de volume, nodulares, verrucosas ou em placas, com ocasionais ulcerações e hemorragias. Apresentavam aspecto verrucoso, por vezes com superfície ulcerada e firmes ao corte. De acordo com as características histológicas da neoplasia, as lesões foram classificadas em CCEs bem diferenciados em três casos e moderadamente diferenciados em dois casos. Esta raça é nativa da Alemanha, caracterizada pela face deslanada e pele branca despigmentada. Na Alemanha, há menores níveis de radiação solar do que no Uruguai e seu sistema de produção é mais intensivo, com permanência dos animais confinados durante longos períodos. O aumento do tempo de exposição a níveis mais elevados de radiação solar pode ser um fator predisponente para o desenvolvimento de CCEs nesta raça em sistemas extensivos de produção no Uruguai. Neste País há mais radiação solar e os sistemas produtivos fornecem menos proteção contra a luz solar, em relação ao sistema de produção alemão. A alta frequência de CEE deveria ser levada em consideração para quem decide introduzir no Uruguai e outros países da região. raças europeias com a face despigmentada

In November 2015, an abortion outbreak occurred in a commercial dairy herd of 650 Holstein cows in Florida department, Uruguay. Forty-five (45) cows aborted within 3 wk. Five fetuses were subjected to gross and microscopic pathologic examination, and microbiological testing. One fetus had fibrinous epicarditis and peritonitis, and neutrophilic bronchopneumonia. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis was detected by direct immunofluorescence, isolated and identified by PCR and sequencing of the 16S rDNA in the abomasal fluid and/or lung. Histologic examination of two other fetuses revealed non-suppurative necrotizing encephalitis, lymphohistiocytic myositis and myocarditis, and lymphocytic interstitial nephritis. In these fetuses, N. caninum antigen was detected intralesionally by immunohistochemistry, and N. caninum DNA was amplified by PCR on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded brain. Antibodies against N. caninum were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 10 of 27 cows, with titers ranging from 1/200 to 1/3200. The results indicate that two abortigenic microorganisms may coexist and cause contemporaneous abortion in a herd. It is relevant to highlight the importance of performing multiple diagnostic tests in various aborted dams and fetuses from the same herd for the etiologic confirmation of bovine abortion syndrome. © 2019 INIFAP-CENID Parasitologia Veterinaria. All rights reserved.RESUMEN.En noviembre de 2015 ocurrió un brote de abortos en un hato lechero comercial de 650 vacas Holstein en el departamento de Florida, Uruguay. Cuarenta y cinco (45) vacas abortaron en un lapso de 3 semanas. Cinco fetos fueron sometidos a un examen patológico macro y microscópico y a pruebas microbiológicas. Un feto tenía epicarditis fibrinosa y peritonitis, así como bronconeumonía neutrofílica. Se detectó Campylobacter fetus subesp. venerealis utilizando inmunofluorescencia directa; se lo aisló e identificó mediante PCR y secuenciación del 16S rDNA en el líquido abomasal y en el pulmón. El examen histológico de otros dos fetos reveló encefalitis necrotizante no supurativa, miositis linfohistiocítica y miocarditis, y nefritis linfocítica intersticial. En estos fetos se detectó intralesionalmente el antígeno de N. caninum mediante análisis inmunohistoquímico, y se amplificó el ADN de N. caninum mediante PCR en tejido cerebral fijado con formalina y embebido en parafina. Se detectaron anticuerpos contra N. caninum mediante inmunofluorescencia indirecta en 10 de 27 vacas, con títulos de entre 1/200 y 1/3200. Los resultados indican que dos microorganismos abortígenos pueden coexistir y provocar abortos contemporáneos en un hato. Subrayamos la importancia de realizar pruebas diagnósticas múltiples en diversas madres abortadas y fetos del mismo hato para obtener una confirmación etiológica del síndrome de aborto bovino.