Efficacy of marbofloxacin for naturally occurring contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of marbofloxacin used in goats with naturally occurring contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). The study was performed in two groups (consisting of 15 animals in each group) with two different doses of 10% aqueous solution of marbofloxacin injected intramuscularly into the semitendinous muscle. 2 mg/kg BW for 3 days (total dose administered: 6 mg/kg BW) was injected to the first group (group 1) and 3 mg/kg for 2 times every other day (total dose administered: 6 mg/kg BW) was injected to the second group (group 2). Microbiological analyses revealed that the causative agent of the disease was Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. Cure rates for groups 1 and 2 were determined as 100% (15/15 goats) and 93% (14/15 goats), respectively. The results of this field trial suggest that marbofloxacin could be an effective drug against CCPP in goats.     

Experimental Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia: A Long Term Study on the Course of Infection and Pathology in a Flock of Goats Infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma capricolum</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">capripneumoniae</Emphasis>

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a major threat to goat farming in parts of Africa and Asia. It classically causes acute high morbidity and mortality early in infection, but little is known of its long term epizootiology and course. In this study, 10 goats were inoculated with Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (M. capripneumoniae) and then mixed with 15 goats for contact transmission. The disease course was monitored in each goat for 56–105 days, whereafter the goats were killed and necropsied. Varying features signifying infection occurred in altogether 17 goats (7 inoculated, 10 in-contact). Clinical signs were severe in 8 goats but no fatalities occurred. Only 6 goats had serum antibody titres against M. capripneumoniae in ELISA. Fourteen goats (5 inoculated, 9 in-contact) had chronic pleuropulmonary lesions compatible with CCPP at necropsy and 7 of those showed M. capripneumoniae antigen in the lung by immunohistochemistry. Neither cultivation nor PCR tests were positive for the agent in any goat. The results indicate that the clinical course of CCPP in a flock may be comparatively mild, M. capripneumoniae- associated lung lesions may be present at a late stage of infection, and chronic infection may occur without a significant serological response.     

Mycoplasmas Isolated from the Respiratory Tract of Cattle and Goats in Tanzania

A microbiological study of the mycoplasma flora in the respiratory tracts of cattle and goats in selected regions of Tanzania is described. In the examination of cattle, mycoplasmas were isolated from 60 (17.8%) of the 338 examined lung samples, 8 (47.1%) of the 17 lymph nodes, 4 (13.3%) of the 30 pleural fluid samples and 4 (3.9%) of the 103 nasal swabs examined. All the isolates were identified as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type except for one isolate from pleural fluid which was identified as Mycoplasma arginini. M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type was isolated from samples originating from Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, Morogoro and Shinyanga regions where outbreaks of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia had been reported. In the examination of goats, mycoplasmas were isolated from 54 (34.0%) of the 159 examined lung samples, 41 (18.1%) of the 226 nasal swabs and 4 (40.0%) of the 10 pleural fluid samples. The species demonstrated were Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides, Small Colony type Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and M. Capricolum subsp. arginini. The isolation of M. capripneumoniae in the Coast and Morogoro regions confirmed the presence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in the regions.     

The origin of the 'Mycoplasma mycoides cluster' coincides with domestication of ruminants

The 'Mycoplasma mycoides cluster' comprises the ruminant pathogens Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae the agent of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum, Mycoplasma leachii and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri. CBPP and CCPP are major livestock diseases and impact the agricultural sector especially in developing countries through reduced food-supply and international trade restrictions. In addition, these diseases are a threat to disease-free countries. We used a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach to gain insights into the demographic history of and phylogenetic relationships among the members of the 'M. mycoides cluster'. We collected partial sequences from seven housekeeping genes representing a total of 3,816 base pairs from 118 strains within this cluster, and five strains isolated from wild Caprinae. Strikingly, the origin of the 'M. mycoides cluster' dates to about 10,000 years ago, suggesting that the establishment and spread of the cluster coincided with livestock domestication. In addition, we show that hybridization and recombination may be important factors in the evolutionary history of the cluster.     

Validation of immunity induced by inactivated CCPP vaccine with different adjuvants

The study was conducted in the premises National Veterinary Institute (NVI) to validate the immunity induced by inactivated F38 antigen adjuvated with saponin and Montanide ISA 50 and combined with and without anthrax vaccine.Post-inoculation reactions; pyrogenic effects, safety and inocuity of the vaccines were assessed. Increased body temperature and local edematous reactions were seen in animals inoculated with saponin adjuvated CCPP vaccine (100%) while 20% of the goats in ISA 50 adjuvated group showed local reaction. Sera collected from day 0 to 10th week were tested to assess the sero-conversion using monoclonal antibody based B-ELISA technique. Saponin adjuvated groups, in both monovalent CCPP and in the combined CCPP with anthrax vaccine showed a higher mean percentage of inhibition value as compared with ISA 50 adjuvated vaccine.After 8 months of post vaccination, contact challenge trial was conducted in 66 experimentally vaccinated and 20 negative control goats combined with 15 actively CCPP sick goats. Various clinical signs were recorded daily, autopsy was done on died goats and the live goats were sacrificed after 2 months of contact. The side by side samples from thoracic exudates, lung and mediastinal and bronchial lymph nodes were collected from goats shown to have developed indicative CCPP lesion for isolation and F38 antigen detection.The present experimental study indicated that application of inactivated and adjuvated CCPP vaccine significantly reduced the morbidity and development of lesions (P < 0.001). Among vaccinated groups CCPP + anthrax + saponin showed better protection, with low rate of nasal discharge and cough at 33% and 28.6%, respectively, and protection level of 94.1% from death and 65% from lung lesion development. However, the variation in protection among the vaccinated groups was not significant (P > 0.05).These findings disclosed that inactivated CCPP vaccine adjuvated with saponin and ISA 50 significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of goats due to CCPP and also indicated the importance of utilization of ISA 50 as alternative adjuvant to minimize post-vaccinal reactions encountered in use of saponin as adjuvant.     

Genome sequence of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae strain M1601

Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae is the causative agent of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, a devastating disease of goats listed by the World Organization for Animal Health. Here we report the first complete genome sequence of this organism (strain M1601, a clinically isolated strain from China).     

First report on the molecular prevalence of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) in goats the cause of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Balochistan province of Pakistan

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) is a disease of goats which causes high morbidity and mortality and is reported in many countries of the world. There are probably no reports on the molecular prevalence of Mccp, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (Mcc) and Mycoplasma putrefaciens (Mp) in Balochistan and any other part of Pakistan. Thirty goats (n = 30) with marked respiratory symptoms were selected and procured from forty goat flocks in Pishin district of Balochistan in 2008. The genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the lung samples (n = 30) of the slaughtered goats was purified and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the presence of Mycoplasma mycoides cluster members and Mp. The PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) was also used to further confirm the Mccp. Of the thirty lung samples 17 (56.67%) were positive for the molecular prevalence of Mcc, Mccp and Mp. In total the molecular prevalence was observed as 17.65% for Mccp (n = 3), 70.59% for Mcc (n = 12) and 11.76% for Mp (n = 2). The RFLP profile has also validated the PCR results of Mccp by yielding two bands of 190 and 126 bp. The results of PCR-RFLP coupled with the presence of fibrinous pleuropneumonia and pleurisy during postmortem of goats (n = 3) strongly indicated the prevalence of CCPP in this part of world. Moreover the prevalence of Mcc and Mp is also alarming in the study area. We report for the very first time the molecular prevalence of Mcc, Mccp, and Mp in the lung tissues of goats in the Pishin district of Balochistan, Pakistan.     

Pastoralism Under Pressure: Tracking System Change in Southern Ethiopia

While economic development has proven elusive in African pastoral systems, change is pervasive. The majority of the Kajiado Maasai, for example, have endured marked declines in per capita livestock holdings and other aspects of human welfare over the past 50 years. We surveyed 317 Borana households to see if similar patterns occurred in southern Ethiopia, and our predictions were largely confirmed. Once viewed as the epitome of sustainable pastoralism, the Borana system now confronts numerous challenges. Decline in per capita cattle holdings has spurred household-level diversification to include maize cultivation and camel husbandry in some areas. Resource pressure has encouraged local annexation of some formerly common access grazing areas. Economic links between pastoral households and local towns still appear rare, however. Our results suggest that patterns of internally induced socioeconomic change due to population pressure in such semiarid systems are broadly predictable, and that development intervention priorities should reflect system dynamics and address emerging issues. A focus on improving risk management by facilitating household economic diversification and restoring some aspects of opportunistic resource use may be the most appropriate development options among the Ethiopian Boran at this time.     

Zoonotic transmission of tuberculosis between pastoralists and their livestock in South-East Ethiopia

Despite huge global efforts in tuberculosis (TB) control, pastoral areas remain under-investigated. During two years sputum and fine needle aspirate (FNA) specimens were collected from 260 Ethiopian pastoralists of Oromia and Somali Regional States with suspected pulmonary TB and from 32 cases with suspected TB lymphadenitis. In parallel, 207 suspected tuberculous lesions were collected from cattle, camels and goats at abattoirs. All specimens were processed and cultured for mycobacteria; samples with acid-fast stained bacilli (AFB) were further characterized by molecular methods including genus and deletion typing as well as spoligotyping. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were sequenced at the 16S rDNA locus. Culturing of AFB from human sputum and FNA samples gave a yield of 174 (67%) and 9 (28%) isolates, respectively. Molecular typing was performed on 173 of these isolates and 160 were confirmed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, three as M. bovis, and the remaining 10 were typed as NTMs. Similarly, 48 AFB isolates (23%) yielded from tuberculous lesions of livestock, of which 39 were molecular typed, including 24 M. bovis and 4 NTMs from cattle, 1 M. tuberculosis and 1 NTM from camels and 9 NTMs from goats. Isolation of M. bovis from humans and M. tuberculosis from livestock suggests transmission between livestock and humans in the pastoral areas of South-East Ethiopia.     

Improving Quality Control of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia Vaccine with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Vaccines to protect livestock against contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) consist of inactivated, adjuvanted antigens. Quality control of these vaccines is challenging as total protein quantification provides no indication of protein identity or purity, and culture is not an option. Here, a tandem mass spectrometry approach is used to identify the mycoplasma antigen contained in reference samples and in commercial CCPP vaccines. By the same approach, the relative amounts of mycoplasma antigen and residual proteins originating from the production medium are determined. Mass spectrometry allows easy and rapid identification of the peptides present in the vaccine samples. Alongside the most probable mycoplasma species effectively present in the vaccines, a very high proportion of peptides from medium constituents are detected in the commercial vaccines tested.     

Observations on the suitability and importance of the domestic intermediate hosts of Echinococcus granulosus in Uttah Pradesh, India

The present study investigated the suitability and importance of buffaloes, camels, sheep, goats and pigs in maintaining the life-cycle of Echinococcus granulosus in Aligarh, India. A total of 565 (36%) of 1556 buffaloes, 20 (2%) of 1208 goats, 5 (1%) of 559 pigs, 6 (6%) of 109 sheep and two of three camels were found to harbour hydatid cysts. The frequency distribution of the hydatid cysts in each intermediate host species was over-dispersed and in buffaloes cyst fertility increased with increasing cyst size. Of 2171, 95 and four buffalo, goat, and camel cysts examined 327 (15%), two (2%) and three cysts respectively were fertile. No pig or sheep cysts were found to contain protoscoleces. The unfenced buffalo abattoir and the large number of dogs allowed access to the abattoir coupled to the number of buffalo slaughtered in comparison to the other potential hosts, indicates that the buffalo is the most significant host for maintaining the life-cycle of the parasite in this area of India. Applicable control measures for the region are suggested.     

Comparative genomics analysis of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae 87001

Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp), belongs to Mycoplasma mycoides cluster and is a causal pathogen of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). This paper presents the complete annotated genome sequence of Mccp Strain 87001—a strain that was isolated from pneumonia affected goats on a farm in China, and comparative genomics analysis of five Mccp genomes in addition to comparative genomics within Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The Mccp strain 87001 genome consists of a single circular chromosome 1017333 bp in length and encodes 898 open reading frames (orfs) averaging 944 bp in length. Fifty eight potential virulence genes were identified, including variable surface lipoproteins, hemolysin A, and P60 surface lipoprotein. Comparative genomic analysis revealed eight virulence genes and four extracellular genes which remained unchanged in five Mccp genomes for forty years, which can be used as potential target for drug development and vaccine design. We revealed 183 Mccp unique genes as markers to distinguish Mccp with other mycoplasma strains from goats, and different virulence factors contributing to host specificity and different syndrome of bovine pathogens and caprine pathogens.     

Socio-ecological analysis of desertification in the Mu-Us Sandy Land with satellite remote sensing

To understand the contemporary process of desertification in the Mu-Us Sandy Land, China, we assessed the current status of desertification from satellite images. We analyzed the effect of land use by comparing desertification images and GIS-based thematic data. Socioeconomic factors were studied through interviews with local people. The desertified area ratio in each village was related to the sand dune ratio. Desertification in this region was affected by the activity of sand dunes. The revegetated area ratio had a close relationship with the cropland ratio. The development of cropland and surrounding woods contributed to revegetation of desertified land. Desertified areas were distributed mainly in pastoral regions. Critical carrying capacity of grassland for sheep and goats was approximately 2 head/ha. High population density of goats was evident in the severely desertified ranges. Goats were increasingly introduced to earn money through modernization, but they overgrazed fenced pastures. Further environmental education is needed to promote sustainable land use.     

Comparison of Respiratory Disease Prevalence among Voluntary Monitoring Systems for Pig Health and Welfare in the UK

Surveillance of animal diseases provides information essential for the protection of animal health and ultimately public health. The voluntary pig health schemes, implemented in the United Kingdom, are integrated systems which capture information on different macroscopic disease conditions detected in slaughtered pigs. Many of these conditions have been associated with a reduction in performance traits and consequent increases in production costs. The schemes are the Wholesome Pigs Scotland in Scotland, the BPEX Pig Health Scheme in England and Wales and the Pig Regen Ltd. health and welfare checks done in Northern Ireland. This report set out to compare the prevalence of four respiratory conditions (enzootic pneumonia-like lesions, pleurisy, pleuropneumonia lesions and abscesses in the lung) assessed by these three Pig Health Schemes. The seasonal variations and year trends associated with the conditions in each scheme are presented. The paper also highlights the differences in prevalence for each condition across these schemes and areas where further research is needed. A general increase in the prevalence of enzootic pneumonia like lesions was observed in Scotland, England and Wales since 2009, while a general decrease was observed in Northern Ireland over the years of the scheme. Pleurisy prevalence has increased since 2010 in all three schemes, whilst pleuropneumonia has been decreasing. Prevalence of abscesses in the lung has decreased in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but has increased in Scotland. This analysis highlights the value of surveillance schemes based on abattoir pathology monitoring of four respiratory lesions. The outputs at scheme level have significant value as indicators of endemic and emerging disease, and for producers and herd veterinarians in planning and evaluating herd health control programs when comparing individual farm results with national averages.     

The effect of environmental factors on preweaning survival rate of Borana and Arsi-Bale kids

The effect of environmental factors on preweaning survival rate of Arsi-Bale and Borana kids at the Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, was investigated. Data collected on 702 kids born between 1999 and 2003 were used to evaluate the effect of year, parity, breed type, sex, season of birth, litter size and birth weight on survival rate of the goats. All the environmental factors significantly influenced the survival rate of kids. The overall preweaning survival rate of kids averaged 69%. Survival of the Arsi-Bale kids was 75% while it was 57% for the Borana kids. Survival of single (70%) and twin (70%) born kids were high compared to survival rate of triplets (43%). Kids born during the wet season had better survivability than kids born in the other seasons. Kidding occurring in the early dry season (September–November) had the highest mortality rate of 42%. A maximum survival rate was found from kids with 3.1–4.5 kg of live weight at birth. The study indicated that by instituting adequate management improvement actions in addition to selection for larger kids at birth and at weaning, the productivity of goats could be improved.     

The geographic distribution and host range of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft) (Nematoda) in Australia.

The geographic distribution, host range and prevalence of Capillaria hepatica were recorded in 4629 house mice, Mus domesticus, 263 black rats, Rattus rattus, and 58 Norway rats, R. norvegicus. The parasite was found at five localities, all in or near large towns along the coast. The two Rattus species appeared to be the primary hosts of C. hepatica in Australia. Published and unpublished data on helminth infections of Australian native mammals from 1162 murids (26 species), 3018 marsupials (67 species) and 99 monotremes (two species) were compiled. Only seven animals from three murid species were infected with C. hepatica; all were from the same rainforest in northern Queensland. C. hepatica was distributed widely, occurring in the house mouse, black rat and Norway rat on a 10,850 ha farm but there was no infection in cattle, sheep or goats (abattoir records). Also, 52 rabbits, four cats and one fox (shot samples) and 27 marsupial mice, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (museum specimens), had no sign of C. hepatica infection. Overall, the results indicate that transmission of C. hepatica to native, domestic and feral mammals is rare, presumably because of ecological constraints on egg embryonation and survival. In the light of these findings, the potential use of C. hepatica as a biological agent to control mouse plagues in Australia is discussed.     

Characterisation of E. coli O157 isolates from bovine hide and beef trimming in Irish abattoirs by pulsed field gel electrophoresis

Escherichia coli O157 isolates from bovine hide (n=117) and beef trimmings (n=32) from a single abattoir were examined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Using BioNumerics software, dendrograms of isolates from each sample type (i.e. hide and beef trimming) were produced. In assessing the genetic relatedness of isolates, a similarity criterion of 80% was applied. The 117 E. coli O157 hide isolates were grouped into 14 clusters, comprising of 109 different PFGE profiles. Of the 109 different PFGE profiles, 8 were common to multiple isolates (i.e. shared 100% similarity by PFGE).

The 32 E. coli O157 beef trimming isolates produced 28 different PFGE profiles and 2 clusters. Of the 28 PFGE profiles, 2 were common to multiple isolates and the remaining 26 were distinct.

On a number of sampling occasions, isolates displaying identical PFGE patterns were recovered from multiple isolates collected from a single sample type (i.e. hides or trimmings), suggesting cross contamination from contaminated hides/animals to uncontaminated hides/animals and from contaminated beef trimmings to uncontaminated beef trimmings during abattoir operations.     

基于可见光测定的山羊支原体山羊肺炎亚种抗原定量

山羊支原体山羊肺炎亚种(Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, Mccp)是山羊传染性胸膜肺炎(contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, CCPP)的病原,可用灭活疫苗和荚膜多糖(capsular polysaccharide, CPS)间接血凝试剂进行预防和血清学检测,但高昂的培养成本和复杂的抗原定量一直困扰着生产人员。为解决生产实际中出现的这些问题,本研究基于Mccp代谢组学的前期理论基础,通过改变初始pH值的方法,初步筛选出初始pH值为7.8的可以同时提高2种抗原产量的糖发酵培养基。利用紫外可吸收光谱可识别酚红,以及十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB)可与阴离子荚膜多糖结合的理论依据,建立了利用紫外光谱分析Mccp达到的培养阶段,以及利用CTAB沉淀法相对定量发酵液荚膜多糖抗原产量的方法。通过紫外图谱观察的方法可对应Mccp生长曲线进行指导生产,大大节省传统颜色变化单位(color change unit, CCU)法的监测时间,提高了原肉眼观察方法的精确度。建立的CTAB沉淀法可在5 h内完成对CPS含量的监测,与传统的差值法相比大大缩短了时间,并且其准确度得到苯酚-硫酸法的验证。本研究优化的一种培养基和建立的两种相关性比较方法,可有效降低Mccp生产成本,提高生产效率,这些方法已在本实验室的研究阶段得到应用,为进一步改进CCPP灭活疫苗和荚膜多糖的生产工艺以及快速定量提供了实验数据。