Isolation of viable Toxoplasma gondii from naturally infected aborted bovine fetuses

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are related parasites. The former is a common cause of abortion in dairy cattle. The latter has not been conclusively demonstrated in bovine fetuses. During the course of attempts to isolate N. caninum from aborted fetuses, T. gondii was isolated from 2 aborted fetuses, 1 from Portugal and 1 from the United States. Both isolates were made by bioassay of fetal brains in mice. The fetus from Portugal was about 5 mo in gestational age, and the fetus from the United States was a full-term stillborn.     

The present status of the role of the Parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus in fetal disease of cattle and sheep

The Bovine Parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus was isolated and identified from an aborted bovine fetus. The fetal isolate was characterized and found to be similar to the respiratory isolate. $\text{In}$$\text{utero}$ inoculations of bovine fetuses with the PI-3 fetal isolate established fetal pathogenicity, and fetal immune competency. Inoculation of pregnant immune heifers and ewes failed to demonstrate transplacental transmission of virus. Sera from 1500 cows were examined for the presence of PI-3 serum neutralizing (SN) antibody. All serum samples contained PI-3 SN antibody at the 1:2 dilution and greater. Since PI-3 seropositive animals resist transplacental transmission of virus, and since seronegative animals are rarely available, the Bovine Parainfluenza-3 virus is probably not a common cause of fetal disease and abortion in Wyoming.     

Micosis infrecuentes

Background

Fungal infections should be suspected in severe wounds that have been contaminated with organic material or soil, even when the patient is immunocompetent. The aim of this article is to contribute to a better understanding and knowledge of the antifungal sensitivity and epidemiology of some rare pathogens that may trigger severe infections.

Bovine fetal cerebral absidiomycosis.

Only 1 case of fetal cerebral mycosis was found in 4015 aborted bovine fetuses. Absidia corymbifera was associated with vasculitis, thrombosis, abscessation and cavitation of the brain. Antibodies against A. corymbifera and other fungal antigens were not detected in fetal serum by immunodiffusion techniques. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in excess of the normal was detected in the fetal serum by radial-immunodiffusion assay.     

First report of Neospora caninum abortion in a beef cow-calf herd from Andorra, Europe

Neospora caninum-associated abortion was diagnosed in a 7-mo gestational age beef cow fetus from Andorra. The fetus had a multifocal necrotizing encephalitis and nonpurulent multifocal myocarditis. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of N. caninum DNA by polymerase chain reaction and tachyzoites by specific staining with N. caninum polyclonal antibodies in the fetal brain. The dam of the aborted fetus had serum N. caninum antibodies at the time of abortion but not 2 mo before abortion took place. This is the first report of N. caninum abortion in Andorra and the first confirmed N. caninum abortion in an acutely infected cow.     

Metastatic subcutaneous zygomycosis following intravenous and intracerebral inoculation of Absidia corymbifera spores.

A subcutaneous granuloma developed in a C3H mouse ca. 5 months after sequential intravenous and intracerebral inoculation of Absidia corymbifera spores. A. corymbifera was demonstrated microscopically and culturally in the lesion. Infection is believed to have been secondary to fungal infection of the kidney. The histopathological features of the lesion are described.     

Transplacental transmission and abortion in cows administered Neospora caninum oocysts

Neospora caninum infection is a common cause of bovine abortion. One method by which cattle can acquire infection is through ingestion of oocysts; however, this has not yet been proved to cause transplacental infection or abortion. In this study, 19 cows, pregnant between 70 and 176 days, were administered 1500 to 115,000 oocysts through an esophageal tube. Seventeen of the cows became seropositive, indicating acquisition of infection, whereas 8 negative control cows remained seronegative (P < 0.001). Offspring were examined using serology, histology, immunohistochemistry, parasite isolation, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six offspring were infected and 1 of them was aborted. The aborted fetus had typical lesions and positive immunohistochemistry and PCR for N. caninum. All 6 cows with infected offspring had continuously rising antibody titers, whereas 10 of 11 infected cows with uninfected offspring had falling titers after an early apex. The risk of transplacental transmission was increased by later exposure times during gestation and by the dose of oocysts (P < 0.01 for the 2 combined variables). The lowest dose of oocysts, when administered after the 160th day of gestation, caused transplacental infection in 1 of 2 animals. This study demonstrates that infection with N. caninum oocysts can cause transplacental transmission and abortion in cattle.     

Termination of unwanted pregnancy in a llama with cloprostenol and subsequent pregnancy: a case report

A 5-yr-old female llama was presented by its owner for an elective abortion. The llama was accidentally bred to an unknown, and possibly related, male about 2.5 mo prior to presentation. The pregnancy was first confirmed by ultrasonography then cloprostenol (150 microg im) was administered once. Cloprostenol, an analogue of prostaglandin F2alpha, was chosen in preference to natural PGF2alpha due to reported adverse reactions in llamas to this abortifacient. Blood serum progesterone levels decreased rapidly from 5.7 to < 0.2 ng/ml at 0 to 60 h post injection, respectively. The aborted fetus was expelled at approximately 108 h after the injection. Twenty days post abortion the llama was rebred. At 27 and 87 d post breeding, pregnancy was indicated first by male refusal and then by elevated serum progesterone concentrations and was confirmed by ultrasonography. Following a 355 d gestation period, a male cria was born. This case provides evidence that an abortion can be induced with cloprostenol without an adverse effect on future fertility in the llama.     

The effect of coagulation factors polymorphisms on abortion

Objective

Recent studies showed coagulation factors play important role in controlling pregnancy duration in addition to controlling homeostasis. Recent studies showed several polymorphisms of coagulation factors genes increase the clot formation and lead to abortion. In this study, we evaluated the polymorphisms of coagulation factors and their effects on the development of the fetus.

Material and Methods

Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (1988-2017) of English language papers using the terms Abortion, pregnancy woman, coagulation factor and polymorphism.

Result

Several polymorphisms of coagulation factors disturb the exchange of food and other materials between the fetus and the mother, and impairs the formation of the placenta during embryonic stages.

Discussion

Evaluation of functional polymorphisms in coagulation factors gene during fetal development can be used as a prognostic factor in the prevention of the abortion.

     

Molecular characterisation of a bovine-like rotavirus detected from a giraffe

Background  

Results regarding the use of bovine somatotropin for enhancing fertility in dairy cattle are variable. Here, the hypothesis was tested that a single injection of a sustained-release preparation of bovine somatotropin (bST) during the preovulatory period would improve pregnancy success of lactating dairy cows at first service.     

Possible "immuno-protection" of the bovine parvovirus in the uterus: Preliminary communication

A pregnant Holstein cow was experimentally inoculated with bovine parvovirus. Approximately five weeks after the last of three injections, the animal aborted a fetus which showed signs of mummification. Virus particles similar to bovine parvovirus were identified by electron microscopy from fetal lung tissue and intestinal contents. Five months after the abortion, the experimental animal died of a corynebacterial metritis and septicemia. Immunofluorescence tests were performed on representative tissues obtained at necropsy. Of all tissues examined only the uterus showed a positive response to the immunofluorescence assay, indicating that the viral antigen persisted in the uterine environment long after its elimination from the systemic circulation.     

Complete Genome Sequence of Brucella melitensis Biovar 3 Strain NI,Isolated from an Aborted Bovine Fetus

From an aborted bovine fetus in China, a bacterial strain named NI was isolated and identified as Brucella melitensis by a PCR assay. Strain NI was further characterized as B. melitensis biovar 3 using biochemical assays. Here we report the complete genome sequence of strain NI.     

Evaluation of three commercial bovine ELISA kits for detection of antibodies against Alphaherpesviruses in reindeer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rangifer tarandus tarandus</Emphasis>)

Background  

The genus Varicellovirus (family Herpesviridae subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae) includes a group of viruses genetically and antigenically related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) among which cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV-2) can be of importance in reindeer. These viruses are known to be responsible for different diseases in both wild and domestic animals. Reindeer are a keystone in the indigenous Saami culture and previous studies have reported the presence of antibodies against alphaherpesviruses in semi-domesticated reindeer in northern Norway. Mortality rates, especially in calves, can be very high in some herds and the abortion potential of alphaherpesvirus in reindeer, unlike in bovines, remains unknown.     

Trilostane but not prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) or cortisol aborts 90-day-pregnant lutectomized sheep

Ewes were lutectomized and treatments were started 72 h later. Pregnant ewes were treated with vehicle; prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha); cortisol (C); trilostane (TR), a 3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase inhibitor; PGF2alpha + C; TR + PGF2alpha; TR + C, or TR + PGF2 + C. TR, TR + PGF2alpha, TR + C, and TR + PGF2alpha + C aborted (P < or = 0.05) all ewes receiving TR. One ewe treated with PGF2alpha aborted (P > or = 0.05). The average time to abortion of TR-treated ewes was 50.8 h (P < or = 0.05) after initiation of treatments. All aborted ewes had retained placentas (P < or = 0.05) except one ewe in the TR + PGF2alpha, treatment group. TR was given every 12 h starting at 72 h postlutectomy until 96 h postlutectomy. TR reduced (P < or = 0.05) progesterone. Estradiol-17beta was increased (P < or = 0.05) 2 h after the first two TR treatments and declined 2 h later and was followed by a sustained increase (P < or = 0.05) in estradiol-17beta, which was coincident with the onset of abortions. Estradiol-17beta was increased (P < or = 0.05) by PGF2alpha but did not decrease (P > or = 0.05) placental secretion of progesterone. It is concluded that TR but not PGF2alpha is an abortifacient in 90-day-pregnant lutectomized ewes and that abortion occurs only when there is a decrease in circulating progesterone and an increase in circulating estradiol-17beta.     

Interferon-γ promotes abortion due to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> infection in pregnant mice

Background  

The mechanisms of abortion induced by bacterial infection are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated abortion induced by Brucella abortus, a causative agent of brucellosis and facultative intracellular pathogen, in a mouse model.     

Whole genome sequencing of a single Bos taurus animal for single nucleotide polymorphism discovery

Background  

The majority of the 2 million bovine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) currently available in dbSNP have been identified in a single breed, Hereford cattle, during the bovine genome project. In an attempt to evaluate the variance of a second breed, we have produced a whole genome sequence at low coverage of a single Fleckvieh bull.