Campylobacter infections in calves, piglets, lambs and kids in Trinidad

Faeces or rectal swabs from 689 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals were cultured for thermophilic campylobacters and their antibiograms were determined. Three hundred and fifteen (45.7 percent) samples were positive for Campylobacter. Piglets had the highest prevalence, 79.3 percent (233/294) and lambs, the lowest with 17.9 percent (15/84) being positive. The difference was statistically significant (P < or = 0.01; chi 2). In calves, 20.5 (60/293) and in kids 38.9 percent (7/18) were positive for campylobacters. The prevalence of infection was not significantly (P > or = 0.05; chi 2) different between diarrhoeic (46.1 percent) and non-diarrhoeic (45.1 percent) animals nor between male (47.5 percent) and female (43.8 percent). The frequency of isolation of campylobacters harvested from semi-intensively managed animals (75.4 percent) was, however, significantly higher (P < or = 0.001; chi 2) than from intensively or extensively managed animals. Overall, C. coli strains (32.8 percent) were more frequently isolated than C. jejuni strains (12.9 percent) and the difference was significant (P < or = 0.001; chi 2). Biotype I accounted for 67.3 percent (152/226) of C. coli and 64.0 percent (57/89) of C. jejuni strains isolated. A total of 245 (77.8 percent) strains of Campylobacter exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics and was highest to streptomycin (76.5 percent), kanamycin (28.6 percent) and neomycin (26.7 percent). It was concluded that Campylobacter infections were widespread in livestock in Trinidad, particularly C. coli in piglets. (AU)

Current trends in screwworm myiasis in the Caribbean region

In a random sample of animal producers and animal health personnel, 33 percent of the respondents in Trinidad, 15 percent in Guyana, 11 percent in Suriname and 9 percent in Jamaica recalled at least one case of human myiasis due to Cochliomyia homivorax (Conquerel). During 1981, respondents in Suriname (88 percent), Jamaica (90 percent), Guyana (85 percent) and Trinidad and Tobago (82 percent found at least one case of myiasis in their livestock, occurring mainly in cattle, pigs and dogs. Feral animals, e.g. jaguars, were also found to be infested. The initial wounds were mainly the umbilicus of neonates, and arbitrary wounds, and vampire bites were also affected. Fifty-three to 78 percent of all respondents examined their livestock daily for wounds and infestation by the screwworm. Annual estimates of losses (in U. S. dollars) due to surveillance and medication ranged from $4.82 to $10.71 per animal. Nationally these losses amount to $0.30 million (Surinam), $1.02 million (Trinidad and Tobago), $$.33 million (Guyana) and $6.78 million (Jamaica). Figures for other losses, arising from failure to thrive, reduction in milk production and hide injury due to screwworm activity were not available. Most producers found that the greatest screwworm infestation occurred in the wet season, and most described it as second in importance to Bophilus spp. ticks as a pest of livestock, but of greater significance than biting flies, such as tabanids and stable flies. Eradication of the screwworms from the islands of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago can be recommended, but in Surinam and Guyana eradicationseems feasible only on the 100-km wide coastal strips where most human and livestock populations exist. (AU)

Serological studies on leptospirosis in livestock and chickens from Grenada

Sera from 1206 livestock animals and chickens in Grenada and Trinidad were tested for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination test. 376 of the sera were positive (44 percent of those tested in Trinidad and 25 percent of those tested in Grenada). The positive sera were obtained from 25 percent of 324 cattle 35 percent of 130 pigs, 35 percent of 126 sheep, 25 percent of 44 goats, and 11 percent of 175 chickens in Grenada; and 92 percent of 26 cattle, 53 percent of 122 pigs, 76 percent of 86 horses, and 11 percent of 144 chickens in Trinidad. 8 sera from ducks and geese in Trinidad were tested and found to be negative. The serogroups most commonly found to react with sera of the Grenadian animals were Autumnalis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis and the related serogroups Sejroe and Mini, and Pyrogenes; in the Trinidadian animals they were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Hebdomadis and its related serogroups and Panama. Strains of serogroup Pomona do not appear to have become established as livestock pathogens on the islands (AU)

Serological study of the distribution of leptospira interrogans (Serotype Jules) and five other leptospires in Jamaica

Five hundred and thirty-five sera from the three main species of livestock in Jamaica (cows, pigs and goats) were tested for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination technique. Three hundred and sixteen (59.1 percent) were reactive with titres equal or greater than 1:100. There was reactivity to six serotypes with the following frequencies: jules 51.9 percent, icterohaemorrhagiae 28.1 percent, autumnalis 8.3 percent, canicola 6.1 percent, pomona 5.2 percent and abramis 0.4 percent Jules thus has the highest frequency of occurrence. The highest percentage of reactive sera (65.5 percent) and the widest distribution of serotypes occurred in the pig. The study confirms that leptospirosis is enzootic and endemic in Jamaica (AU)

Salmonella infection in market swine, Trinidad and Tobago

An unusual outbreak of gastroenteritis among children in Trinidad and Tobago led to the investigation of porcine carcasses at a local abattoir. Salmonella organisms were isolated from 18.4 per cent of the samples taken over a 12-month period (AU)

The epizootiology of the vesicular stomatitis viruses: a reappraisal

The pattern of epizootics caused by vesicular stomatitis viruses is examined, together with relevant laboratory evidence. The hypothesis that these viruses are arthropod-borne is examined and found wanting. The hypothesis is advanced that the pasture is the basic epizootiologic unit. The virus source is thought to be passive in or on the soil or vegetation and present in the pasture before outbreaks. Neither livestock nor rodents are regarded as essential for the life cycle of VS viruses (AU)

Transmission of infectious drug resistance from animals to man

The antibiotic resistance patterns of califorms in faecal specimens from pigs and their human contacts were studied. The ability of the resistant coliforms to transfer their resistance in vitro to antibiotic-sensitive recipients was examined. The results showed that pigs which had received antibiotics carried more multiply-resistant, R-factor bearing coliforms than pigs which had not been given antibiotics. Human contacts of the antibiotic-treated pigs had a higher incidence of antibiotic-resistant coliforms with R-factors than contacts of pigs which had not been given antibiotics. It is concluded that antibiotic treatment of farm animals may lead to acquisition of antibiotic resistance by gut coliforms of man.(AU)

Studies of Patois group arboviruses in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and British Honduras

Patois, Zegla, and Shark River-like arboviruses in the Patois group were isolaed in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and British Honduras during 1963 to 1968. Twenty-three Patois viruses came from mosquitoes, sentinel hamsters, and suckling mice, 21 Zegla viruses from sentinel hamsters and mice and from a wild cotton rat, and two Shark River-like viruses from sentinel hamsters. Hemagglutination-inhibition(HI) and neutralizing antibody tests with Patois virus were positive with human sera from each country, and HI antibody tests were positive with sera from pigs in Mexico, Guatemala, and British Honduras and from small wild mammals, wild birds, and cattle in Mexico.(AU)